Ponta dos Ganchos

State of Santa Catarina

The state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil, between the Paranà to the north and the Rio Grande do Sul to the south, has one of the highest standards of living in the country. Its 560 kilometers of coast possess the most beautiful beaches in the southern part of Brazil which attract thousands of tourists.

Sun and sand however, are not the only features of Santa Catarina. The climate for example attracts Brazilians as well, thanks to its surprising exoticism. In Sao Joaquim for example, it snows almost all winter!

Santa Catarina is also a melting pot with Portuguese immigrants from the Azores as well as immigrants of Italian and German origin. In Blumenau, built by German colonists, the beer festival is one of the country’s most popular celebrations. The architecture is by no means tropical either. The city consists of half timbered houses typical of Europe’s alpine architecture.

In the south of the state however, there are deserted beaches that attract visitors, as does the capital, Florianopolis. Connected to the mainland by two bridges, the city is culturally very interesting. Its cathedral, built in the second half of the 18^th century, the Nossa Senhora do Rosario, the Sao Francisco da Ordem Terceira and the Sao Benedito dos Homens Pretos churches, the Public Market and the Customs and Historical Museum building are all worth visiting.

Romance on Brazil’s Emerald Coast

The Ponta dos Ganchos in the southern part of the province of Santa Catarina, is located on a private peninsula bordered by turquoise water, between the tropical forest and the ocean. Just an hour from Sao Paolo and an hour and a half from Rio de Janeiro, the resort is a haven of peace far from the skyscrapers of the two metropolises.

25 bungalows made of wood and glass, with thatched roofs blend harmoniously into the lush natural landscape. The simplest of these spacious and sophisticated accommodations possess private verandas, ideal for relaxing in a hammock or a chaise longue. The more upscale bungalows have jacuzzis on the terrace and a private swimming pool. The Special bungalow Da Vila, the most luxurious of all, has, in addition to a sauna, a home cinema, a fireplace, a wine cellar and of course, a private swimming pool in an enclosed garden.

All of the bungalows have a magnificent view of the ocean and access to the private beach.

In this Eden like site, guests can go deep sea diving, water skiing and swim with the dolphins. And for the more timid souls, there’s an indoor swimming pool and a private movie theatre.

Guests can also allow themselves to be pampered in one of the three tents of the Christian Dior spa, which proposes relaxing massages, massages with hot stones, reflexology and aromatherapy with only the ocean looking on.

Meals are served at the hour desired by the guests in the restaurant Chef Luis Salvajoli makes it a point of honor to change his menu every day. The 100 percent organic dishes highlight delicious Brazilian cuisine with the accent on products from the sea. Guests can enjoy the famous “Santa Catarina oysters in a lime sauce » or the equally renowned « Shellfish barbecue. »

For the more romantic, the resort makes available an isolated table on a small wild and unspoiled island for an unforgettable candlelight dinner. And don’t forget to order a famous Caipirinha at the Cantinho da Velezabar and to sip it facing the ocean as the sun is beginning to set. With its exceptional service, its impeccable rooms and its serene atmosphere, this Relais & Châteaux resort is undoubtedly one of Brazil’s finest hotels.

Ponta dos Ganchos is deeply involved in the environment and does everything in its power to protect it. The resort uses organic vegetables from its own garden and commissions local producers for other products.