Kenoa Resort — Hotel in Região Geográfica Imediata de Maceió

Pros: Intimate, amazing staff, fairly secluded location (as Brazil goes), exceptional food that is reasonably priced, nicely designed overall.||Cons: Some rooms to be very much avoided, overall value to room amenities is below par, expect language barriers (for Non-Portuguese speakers) with 50% of the front-line staff (not a big deal as they are so sincere and try hard).||||Brazil is teeming with potential for so many future hotels with the thousands of miles of beaches that line the Atlantic coast. While most attention is paid to Bahia by American and European travelers, this area is further north and known more to only Brazilians. With that it may prove challenging to some who prefer the more familiar comforts of language etc. But for those who want a more authentic feel that is far from the limelight of Bahia, Kenoa does offer up a taste of a more regional resort where you will rarely see a North American or European anywhere.||||Do not expect a Maldives type beach resort. That is, do not come with overwhelming expectations. This is not a place to come for a week vacation from the U.S. as a specific destination. The hotel is best served (and designed as such) to be a long weekend getaway for Brazilians and expats in S.P., Rio, B.H., or Brasilia. For that it is more than fine.||||The staff is truly amazing and very well trained. They have a sincere and friendly vibe and do anything necessary to make you feel at home. From the beach/pool to the restaurant you will be well taken care.||||The rooms though are not for everyone. As part of Design Hotels (and now Marriott with the recent agreement) it touts itself as an “eco-chic lifestyle property.” With that you should still not expect Four Seasons or Aman style rooms. This is why - and what is my issue with value here - that I think for a beachfront room that goes for around $800+ a night people may be fooled into expecting that level. While I was in a beachfront room that was lovely in many respects there are things that could have been better thought out for this price point. The bathrooms are highly dysfunctional with rustic wood sinks in which nothing is even and everything falls off. And, my biggest complaint, with many rooms that have perfectly useable outdoor space and decks there is little in the way of seating that embraces these areas. Ours had only a cushion to sit on in an area that could have easily utilized multiple chairs and a table. This in one of the premium beach villas where the outside is the most special area but was lacking in embracing the essence of what you crave there...bringing the indoors out in comfort.||||Families who travel here might be tempted to book the one special suite which shows as having two private bedrooms. DO NOT. Book two separate rooms instead as rooms are close together anyway. This “family room,” which is one of the most expensive, was clearly an afterthought and is awful in being classified as one of the top rooms in the hotel. Accessed by stairs in the back of the hotel, one small step out balcony overlooking dirt mounds that will be a future residency project of homes, and bedrooms separated by a thin wall containing bathrooms IN THE ROOMS. Yes, like a prison cell, each room has all the fixtures, including the toilets, open and inside the bedrooms. We relocated in five minutes after seeing this and the hotel should seriously consider a redesign of the whole room space as I can’t imagine two couples or a family ever being happy in it. Especially at the price. The only benefit I can see is a family with 2-3 kids who would share that room alone with the adults in another room. But it should be priced as such.||||The pool area is intimate but lovely. The beach is clean, empty of people and the ocean is warm. For those into lazily sitting around for a few days in the sun and enjoying that part you will be very happy. But do not expect activities or any sort of opportunities beyond that. As said, it’s a good long weekend getaway. Not a week-long retreat.||||Perhaps the highlight of Kenoa is the restaurant. The executive chef is top rate and has done an amazing job in bringing a mix of Brazilian comfort dishes from many regions with twists of elegance and unique surprises. I can’t say enough about the dining. The staff is exceptional as well and the entire presentation from breakfast to dinner is world-class. Even a decent wine list. This is the one aspect of the hotel that I would say rivals an Aman or Four Seasons in that the food is not only exceptional, fresh, and perfectly presented but, unlike the aforementioned brands, Kenoa does not “milk” out much of a premium food pricing as a resort and I would call it more than fairly priced. It gives back a bit of the overall value when considering that the rooms, in my opinion, are priced too high.||||Will I be back? Yes. As said, for a long weekend from S.P. it is a great spot to fly to. What I would like to see is better pricing of the rooms to correspond with what you are getting overall. I think in time this will happen as Brazil is ready to explode with luxury resorts in the near future. Recent removal of needed visas to Brazil for the U.S. is opening the eyes of many developers to the potential of this vast coastline. When the “big boys” move in it will be difficult for Kenoa to justify the rates they charge now unless they rethink many areas of their room amenities and beach/outdoor activity offerings. For now though, it is still a special place when approached with the right expectations for...

Nossa! Que maravilhoso! Foi a melhor experiência de hotel na praia que tive!||Kenoa Resort is located approximately 40 minutes from Maceió Airport, along a beautiful, quiet stretch of beach in Alagoas. Guests will enjoy the beautiful, lush surroundings, and be instantly transported to a place of tranquility and rejuvenation upon arrival. The decor is “eco-chique,” featuring wood and stone hues and fixtures throughout the property. There are ~23 rooms at this resort, included in the prestigious, Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) of the World portfolio. Koi ponds flank the reception area, with the sounds of running water, inducing an immediate sense of calm and relaxation.||The pool area is expansive and features a great lawn, adorned with plush beach beds and pillows. Two heated infinity pools flank either side of the deck and include a window within the pool to look out at the beautiful turquoise waters of the “Brazilian Caribbean.” ||The staff at Kenoa exemplify professionalism and customer service. Norbert is the consummate professional. He greeted us upon check-in and inquired of our shoe size. Much to our delight, a pair of Havaianas were waiting for us in our spacious suite. Norbert escorted us to our room, which featured linen curtains to partition the room between sitting room, bedroom, and restroom areas. Simply, this was the most unique and luxurious hotel room I have ever stayed in. The room includes a rainfall shower, where the water fixture is made from a massive piece of wood. The sinks are made from stone and sit atop rustic wood elements. Our suite included a large, wood soaking tub. Upon arrival, the tub was fill and topped with rose petals. Norbert even offered to assist with hanging our clothes in the beautiful armoire. The attention to detail also sets this resort apart. The hangers are made from locally sourced wood. There are small sand areas behind each sink, which create for a beautiful indoor/outdoor aesthetic. The room is so exquisite and invites peace and tranquility. There was nothing quite like closing your eyes at night to hear the sound of the waves.||Each morning, the staff greeted us, by name, and asked where we would like to sit for the day. Breakfast is served upstairs, with spectacular views overlooking the pool and grass lounging area, with the brilliant blue and green hues of the tropical Atlantic on the horizon. Breakfast was impeccable and featured seemingly endless varieties of local fruit, cheeses, and breads. The fruit was so rich, natural, and delicious. It was a privilege to enjoy the tapioca as well. Breakfast is an experience itself, and the natural, high quality food provides the right fuel so your mind and body can be at its best.||It seemed each time we left the room, the staff was aware and would replace slightly used towels with a fresh set and make other adjustments. I cannot adequately express the level of care and attentiveness the staff demonstrated. ||As we settled into our lounge chairs to enjoy the day, Bruno, offered a cold towel for our faces. He offered to adjust lounge pillows or umbrella. Bruno was exceptional and conveyed a genuine enthusiasm for his work and appreciation for guests. One’s every need was catered to. There is nothing quite like enjoying a refreshing caipirinha on the beach, with a delicious burger and sweet potato fries. Gente! The food at the resort is spectacular, wholesome, and nutritious. Real ingredients, expertly prepared and served with a dedication to excellence.||As your day winds down, guests may alert their attendant they will soon head to the room and to please draw their soaking bath tub. But first, consider walking to the lower level to the spa, which appears to be constructed into the hillside the spa is haven for wellness, again, with the sound of running water, inviting the mind to relax. Massages are available. Guests will also enjoy the healing properties of the available wet and dry saunas. ||As you conclude your sauna session, you’ll return to your room to find a new set of towels, and your soaking tub drawn to the perfect temperature. The warm water mixes with the wood tub to produce an intoxicating aroma, revitalizing the senses and spirit. ||It is now time to enjoy dinner at the upstairs lounge. The ocean air and lights of the restaurant provide sensory stimulation, coupled with the culinary delights of fresh, nutritious, and locally sourced cuisine. ||Satiated, you retire to your room to find the room prepared for a restorative sleep. Fresh water is placed on either side of the bed, which is freshly made with a tropical flower atop the spread. ||Kenoa Resort and its staff, embodies the very finest in hospitality. There is a genuine commitment to excellence and service, which set this property apart. Kenoa offers respite from the pressures and challenges of every day. It offers an opportunity to refresh, renew,...

What can I say? It’s almost perfect. My husband and I waited a year from our wedding to have our official honeymoon and we chose Kenoa. My Bonvoy ambassador worked tirelessly with the whole team to ensure our experience was wonderful. ||Upon arrival you are greeted with a welcome cocktail and a tour of the property. Of course since the staff knew our special occasion they capitalized on it to show us a room upgrade that would end up costing us about a third of our total bill upon check out. |This is the reason they lose a “star” in my rating. Design hotels are exempt from many Bonvoy ambassador perks, but upgrades are supposed included if they are available. Bonvoy ambassadors are guaranteed an upgrade to a suite if it is available. The Kenoa staff showed us a gorgeous suite (they call it a villa but it’s still only one room) with private new h access and a private pool. We were delighted. Then they mentioned the additional cost. I was confused so I asked, is this room available with my status. Then they tried to dodge the question. Why wasn’t the upgrade given? To make money. For a honeymoon? The whole transaction felt cheap and made my husband and I felt taken advantage of as if i don’t know what benefits are supposed to be rewarded to me given my loyalty to Bonvoy properties. After spending 20 hours to travel to Kenoa this is how we started off. Basically the worst first impression I could think of. ||However we aren’t babies, and nothing was going to get in our way of happiness. After spa treatments and some wine we settled into the rhythm of Kenoa nicely. ||That rhythm is simple, wake up to a gorgeous beach view, and call to order breakfast. Careful, you order a little and they bring SO MUCH! They started to learn our order and by the end it was basically already prepared before we called! ||By noon we would spill out onto the pool and beach area, service is very attentive and the food and drinks are delightful. I even had the best cheeseburger outside of the US. As most of the staff doesn’t speak English, there were a few English speaking “guardian angels” assigned to us to make sure we had a great experience. They were all wonderful and went out of their way to make sure we wanted for nothing. ||After a few hours until about 5pm we would move from the pool/beach area to our room to enjoy our private beach access and private pool. ||After a nap it was time to clean up and head to dinner! Food is overall really good. Brazilian/Portuguese influenced food. We enjoyed everything we ate. What we most enjoyed was the wine menu. We LOVE Portuguese wines, especially from the Douro valley and they had several for us to sample. The sommelier was wonderful and even though she spoke zero English she spoke to us with so much confidence and passion and most importantly, poured us some FANTASTIC wine. ||We decided to take a bout tour one morning and the team who took us out on Kenoa’s speed boat ensured the experience was perfect! Some bottles of French rosé accompanied our adventure. We explored mangroves and sandbars and evening had a local man pull up to our boat at the sandbar and serve us fresh oysters. A surprise and a treat! ||The spa is OK, but I think we are spoiled with spa culture in the United States and prefer the types of treatments we get back home. The design of the spa is gorgeous. ||We were sad to leave Kenoa but left feeling refreshed. The whole experience felt like a secret slice of luxury that my husband and I will...