Rio de Janeiro is one of those places that no one ever gets tired of. There is something magical about this city – its wild, raw and tropical persona gets under one’s skin.
Santa Teresa, a neighborhood once exclusive to the bourgeois, houses some of the most incredible mansions in the city – overlooking the Guanabara Bay and prime spotting the incredible city landscape. With and incredible bohemian vibe that has attracted hoteliers and entrepreneurs to this area of town, Santa Teresa is the place to enjoy what is cool in the city – local unique bars, chic restaurants and hipster joints. Hotel brands like Parisian Mama Shelter have dropped anchor here and made the hood even more of a destination on its own right.
Mama Ruisa is an exclusive boutique hotel in one of those magical restored mansions – all large windows, high ceilings, lush gardens and vintage & modern interior design abound. Yet don’t expect the beaten recipe for boutique places: Mama Ruisa is very special.Not only for the location and design but specially for the host.
Jean Michel Ruiz is the magician behind the creation of this bespoke hotel, using his experience of working for some of the biggest hotel brands in the world mixed with a large dose of class, modern dandyism and love for the Marvelous City – as Rio de Janeiro is called. There is a feeling created by him and his team that makes the guest feel as if in a private residence.
The swimming pool, surrounded by palm trees and hummingbirds, is the perfect setting.
With only 7 uniquely decorated suites the hotel exudes a French-Brazilian vibe that gives it an über urban cool edge – beautiful simple wooden furniture, crisp white linens, floor to ceiling doors and bold decorative objects, Jean Cocteau paintings and printed fabrics that accent the elegance of colonial architecture with the million dollar views. The entrance through the grand slick living room ushers you to the balconies where guests have breakfast or drink at sunset – highly recommended. The lush swimming pool is as inviting as the caipirinhas – it makes it ever so difficult to leave the hotel but what can one do? With all the pampering, fragrant flowers on every corner and the nicest team and host in town, this is truly the place of choice for the in the know traveler.
Mama Ruisa is a place to be free, a stay to explore the senses – to let one explore the thrills of this remarkable city; to create one’s own tale of Rio.
