Awasi Santa Catarina – Brazil
On a spectacular private peninsula in the far south of the country, Awasi Santa Catarina brings new meaning to the word exclusive. Surrounded by the Mata Atlântica rainforest, and overlooking a golden beach and peaceful bay towards the Três Ilhas archipelago, you really feel as though you’re a million miles from anywhere. Everything is included, and each villa comes with a private guide and 4×4 for personalised experiences.
The head chef has an international pedigree, creating unforgettable gastronomic moments, and the villas are a private haven. This little pocket of paradise is most definitely worth a few days.
At A Glance
Luxury Lodge
Why We Love It:
For its remoteness, attention to detail and its total immersion in nature and the surroundings.Style:
Understated beach luxury.Location:
On a secluded bay on the far southern coast, an hour’s drive from Florianópolis. It’s 1.5 hour flight from Rio de Janeiro and just under 2.5 from Buenos Aires.Rooms:
25 luxurious villas, all with ocean views and some with private pools.Swimming:
An indoor pool in the Spa and a sheltered lagoon.Children:
This retreat is for grown ups! Only children over the age of 13 are able to stay.Accessibility:
The nature of the terrain and lack of facilities, make it unsuitable for guests with mobility issues.Price:
Available on requestrooms
Poking out of the canopy, with large decks with hammocks and dreamy views, the villas are wonderfully private. Their contemporary design makes them light and airy with plentiful living space, furnished with kingsize beds and 600 thread count Egyptian cotton. Some feature their own private pool, solarium and dry sauna, and others come with a hot tub. And if you fancy a massage, an in-room treatment can be arranged.
food
Much of the produce is fished straight from the emerald waters surrounding the resort, or grown in their own gardens, and everything is seasonal. There are three restaurants (and don’t forget all day room service) and no set dining times, that take you on a culinary journey through Brazil. Breakfast is served at Bateiras – the choice is exceptional and is available most of the day. The main restaurant has an ever-changing menu, whilst the beach restaurant serves up deliciously fresh seafood. For a romantic evening, make sure you book the private island dining experience.
activities
Awasi Santa Catarina offers a tempting mix of adventure and relaxation. Your private guide will take you on local excursions, or hiking in the Atlantic Forest, or horse riding, spotting the colourful birdlife and unique flora. You can hop on a boat and explore the surrounding coastline, (finding beaches accessible only by boat) and uninhabited islands. The water here is perfect for snorkelling. Visit fishing villages along the way, and learn about the local culture.
There’s kayaking off the beach, and whale watching (June to November), or you can just sit back on the crescent shaped sandy beach. Don’t forget to book a treatment in one of the ocean facing tents at Mar Spa, where you can relax to the gentle sound of the water below.
family
Adventurous families, whose children (over the age of 13) love to be surrounded nature and are happy being far away from the trappings of modern life, will feel right at home here. However, this is very much an adult resort.
sustainability
Protecting the local ecosystem is a main priority here. The resort has planted over 10,000 trees as part of a reforestation project, and the villas are all low impact design built with sustainable wood and come with green roofs. Solar energy is captured through photovoltaic panels and there are robust waste management practices in place. Local residents are also prioritized for work.
Location
Awasi Santa Catarina
On a secluded bay on the far southern coast, an hour’s drive from Florianópolis. It’s 1.5 hour flight from Rio de Janeiro and just under 2.5 from Buenos Aires.
