Brazil: address book

IDENTITY CARD

Area code : + 55; 11 (Sao Paulo), 21 (Rio).

Time difference : - 3 hours in winter, - 5 hours in summer.

Currency : Brazilian real (BRL). 1 BRL =0.25 euro (March 2016).

GETTING THERE

TAMthe Brazilian company, and LANthe Chilean airline, have merged and will give birth to a single brand, LATAM Airlines, in 2016. The airline still known as TAM offers a daily flight between Paris CDG and Sao Paulo. In terms of in-flight comfort, the wide Premium Business seats recline horizontally, making the eleven-hour night flight relaxing. Other plus points include fast-track connections at the airport, a glass of champagne served on boarding, USB sockets and top-quality in-flight service. Locally, TAM offers up to 37 flights a day between Sao Paulo's airports - the international hub of Guarulhos and the domestic hub of Congonhas - and those of Rio, Galeao and Santos Dumont. A truly practical, efficient and inexpensive air shuttle.

Tel: 0821 231 554 Internet: www.tam.com.br

AIR FRANCE offers twelve weekly flights from Paris to Sao Paulo, seven of which are operated by Boeing 773 equipped with the new Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. Passengers will soon be able to enjoy the same level of comfort on seven of the eleven direct flights between Paris and Rio.

Tel: 0820 320 820 Internet: www.airfrance.com

Sao Paulo

Hotels

Tivoli Sao Paulo Mofarrej

In a leafy area on the border of Jardim and Avenida Paulista, this spacious five-star hotel offers 220 suites and rooms. Built 30 years ago to become a Sheraton, the hotel was taken over in 2009 by the Portuguese chain Tivoli. This Leading Hotels of the World member has retained a very 80s character: black furniture, an orange swimming pool... Its panoramic restaurant-lounge on the 23rd floor overlooks avenue 9 de Julho.

Alameda Santos, 1437 - Tel: +55 11 3146 5900 - Email : reservas.htsp@tivolihotels.com  - Internet : www.tivolihotels.com or lhw.com

Hotel Unique

What better way to live up to its name? A sort of suspended hull, the Hotel Unique is the work of architect Ruy Ohtake and is like a small museum of contemporary art. The most extravagant of its 95 rooms are located at the far end of the establishment: their floors extend into the curves of the wall, like a luxurious light-wood skateboard track. The hotel is well worth a visit, even if you're not staying there, if only to enjoy a drink on its terrace overlooking Paulista Avenue.

Av. Brigadeiro Luiz Antonio, 4700. Tel: +55 11 3055 4700 Email: hotelunique@hotelunique.com  Internet : www.hotelunique.com.br

Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo

Located in the Marginal Pinheiros/Berrini financial district, the Grand Hyatt offers 463 rooms. Its plus points: a team dedicated to organising meetings, an executive foor with a splendid lounge and anti-time zone difference treatments.

Avenida das Nações Unidas, 13301. Tel: +55 11 2838 1234 - Email : reservations.ghsaopaulo@hyatt.com Internet : www.saopaulo.grand.hyatt.com

Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi

Twenty-eight floors in one of the three famous towers that make up the CENU business complex: in the heart of the Morumbi district, the Hilton Sao Paulo is dedicated to business... The rooms, some of which give access to an executive lounge, are equipped with workspaces with ergonomic chairs. Offices or meeting rooms with videoconferencing are available for hire.

Avenida das Nações Unidas, 12901. Tel: +55 11 2845 0000 Email: reservations.morumbi@hilton.com Internet: www3.hilton.com

Other major business hotels

Intercontinental

Alameda Santos, 1123 - Tel: +55 11 3179 2600 - Email : reservas@ihgbrasil.com - Internet: www.intercontinental.com

Maksoud Plaza

Alameda Campinas, 150 Tel: +55 11 3145 8000 Email: maksoud@maksoud.com.br Internet: www.maksoud.com.br

THE Hôsuch as Porto Bay

Alameda Campinas, 266. Tel: +55 11 2183 0500 Email: reservassp@portobay.com.br Internet: www.portobay.com

Budget hotels

Melia Jardim Europa

In the elegant Jardim district, this beautiful four-star hotel of the Spanish Melia brand offers all the amenities you need for a business trip: restaurant, business centre, swimming pool with panoramic views, meeting rooms...

Rua Joao Cachoeira, 107. Tel: +55 11 3702 9600 - Email: jardim.europa@meliahotels.com.br Internet: melia.com

Comfort Suites Oscar Freire

Also located in the heart of the Garden District, this three-star, 204-room hotel is ideal for business travellers. And with its rooftop swimming pool, it's an added bonus for travellers.

Rua Oscar Freire, 1948. Tel: +55 11 2137 4700 - Email: reservas.csof@atlanticahotels.com.br Internet: www.atlanticahotels.com.br

Restaurants

D.O.M.

For many years now, it has been the most popular restaurant in São Paulo. It's also the most expensive, and with good reason: according to San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants, D.O.M. is the fourth most expensive restaurant in the world... For exceptional business meals and for the talent of Alex Atala, who selects the finest Brazilian products to create gustatory jewels.

Rua Barão de Capanema 549, Gardens. Tel: +55 11 3088 0761 - Email: eventos@domrestaurante.com.br Internet: www.domrestaurante.com.br

Santinho Teatro Municipal

Housed in the sumptuous Art Nouveau décor of the Teatro Municipal, this restaurant boasts a historic setting revisited by high-profile designers, the Campana brothers. The latest addition to the Santinho chain, this restaurant is not to be missed, especially at lunchtime for its gargantuan buffet of updated Brazilian cuisine. You'll love the plantain-based dishes, the green mango salads... Make sure you book in advance.

Praça Ramos de Azevedo, 1 - Tel: +55 11 3222 1683 - Email: tm.reservas@ restaurantesantinho.com.br - Internet: www.restaurantesantinho.com.br

At MIS

Frenchman Sébastien Orth is opening one restaurant after another in Sao Paulo, with a design atmosphere and cuisine that blends local flavours with Mediterranean touches. Chez Oscar and Chez Burger are well worth a visit, but it is above all Chez MIS, housed in the Museum of Image and Sound, that will grab your attention, with its bay window overlooking the museum's lush garden and its beautifully simple dishes.

Avenida Europa, 158 - Jd. Europa. Tel: +55 11 3467 3441 Email: infos@chezmis.com.br Internet: chezmis.com.br

La Central

On the ground floor of the Oscar Niemeyer-designed Edificio Copan, La Central is one of the city's best Mexican restaurants. The trendy setting attracts young tech hipsters. A pleasant address with a raw decor, perfect for a quick but delicious lunch in the Centro.

Av. Ipiranga, 200, Edifcio Copan. Tel: +55 11 3214 5359 Email: info@lacentral.com Internet: www.lacentral.com.br

Restaurante Spot

This is the canteen for businessmen in the Paulista district. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service fast, the dishes healthy and delicious, and the fruit juices divine. Bonus: a huge bay window so you can enjoy lunch while admiring the sculptures in the interior garden.

Almeda Ministro Rocha Azevedo, 72. Tel: +55 11 3283 0946 Email: spot@restaurantespot.com.br Internet: www.restaurantespot.com.br

Kosushi

In Sao Paulo, competition is fierce between restaurants from the Rising Sun, many of them very design-oriented. Kosushi may not be the newest, but it is certainly one of the most renowned.

Rua Viradouro, 139 - Tel: +55 11 3167 7272 - Internet: www.kosushi.com.br

 

 

Rio

Hotels

Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel

This massive 70s-style hotel, recently renovated, has the extraordinary advantage of being set right on Leblon beach. All you have to do is go down to the ground floor to access the white sand and small emerald-green lagoons. A real gem.

Avenida Niemeyer, 121 - Leblon. Tel: +55 21 2274 1122 Email: reservas.rio@sheraton.com Internet: www.starwoodhotels.com

Santa Teresa Hotel

In the fashionable Santa Teresa district, a delightful spot away from the tourist centre. Surrounded by a lush garden scented with frangipani blossom, this is a peaceful Rio. And with good reason: this is a former coffee plantation. In all, 40 rooms...
for business travellers in a hurry.

Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 660 - Santa Teresa - Tel: +55 21 2222 2755 Email: reservas@santateresahotel.com Internet: www.santa-teresa-hotel.com or www.relaischateaux.com

More

This 1960s residence, designed by Brazilian architect and designer Jose Zanine Caldas, has been transformed by two Frenchmen, the Dussol brothers, into seven ultra-personalised suites. From the swimming pool, sublime views of Sugar Loaf.

Rua Jackson de Figueiredo, 501 - Joá. Tel: +55 21 3259 6123 Email: angie@bydussol.com Internet: www.bydussol.com/la-suite/

Other major business hotels

SOFITEL RIO DE JANEIRO

Avenida Atlantica, 4240 - Copacabana. Tel: +55 21 2525 1232 Email: reservas.softelrio@softel.com Internet: www.softel.com

JW MARRIOTT RIO DE JANEIRO

Avenida Atlantica, 2600 - Copacabana. Tel: +55 21 2545 6500 Internet: www.marriott.com

CAESAR PARK RIO DE JANEIRO

AV Vieira Souto, 460- Ipanema. Tel: +55 21 2525 2525 - Email: reservationrioipanema@softel.com Internet : www.accorhotels.com

WINDSOR BARRA

Avenida Sernambetiba 2630- Barra da Tijuca - Tel: +55 21 2195 5000 Email: reservas.windsorbarra@ windsorhoteis.com.br Internet : www.windsorhoteis.com.br

Budget hotels

Golden Tulip Ipanema Plaza

The 140 rooms at this Ipanema hotel offer everything a business traveller needs, all at great value for money.

Rua Farme de Amoedo, 34 - Tel: +55 21 3687 2000 - Email: hotel@ ipanemaplaza.com.br - Internet: www.goldentulipipanemaplaza.com

Oztel

An unconventional option, this six-room design 'hostel' opened in 2012 in the Botafogo district, offering colourful rooms with an eclectic but sharp style: Eames chairs, quotes from authors on the walls, playful and original touches.

Rua Pinheiro Guimaraes, 91 - Tel: + 55 21 3042 1853 - Email: contato@oztel. com.br - Internet: www.oztel.com.br

Restaurants

Gero Barra

Opened in 2011 by the Fasano group, this wonderful Italian restaurant is located in the Barra de Tijuca district, not far from the Olympic site. The dishes are simple and close to perfection, with the lamb chops with rosemary and the mushroom ravioli among the restaurant's 'best of'.

Avenida Érico Veríssimo, 190 - Barra da Tijuca - Phone: +55 21 3523 5700 - Email : gero.barra@fasano.com.br - Internet : www.fasano.com.br/gastronomia/

 

Mee

The Belmond Hotel's pan-Asian restaurant was the first in South America to be awarded a Michelin star. Its chef, Ken Hom, blends Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean and Japanese flavours. Among the favourites, the mandarin and quail egg salad is a unanimous favourite. Creative cocktails are also on the menu.

Avenida Atlântica, 1702. Tel: +55 21 2548 7070 - Email: reservations.brazil@belmond.com Internet: www.belmond.com

Confeitaria Colombo

The upstairs restaurant of this 1894 patisserie is certainly not the best gourmet address in Rio, but having a coffee under the Fin-de-Siècle glass roof is a must during a stay in Carioca, between business meetings in the Centro.

Rua Gonçalves Dias, 32 - Centro. Tel: +55 21 2505 1500 - Internet: www.confeitariacolombo.com.br