Fazenda Santa Vitória — Hotel in Região Imediata de Cruzeiro

My wife and I were coming to Brazil on business, for the first time, but wanted to come early and see more. Our business hosts suggested we make the journey from Sao Paolo to Queluz and stay at this remarkable place. So, right off the plane we were picked up by prearranged driver, and were driven nearly 3 hours north to this property (probably would be a little closer to fly into Rio).||It is a most splendid setting. In a valley of foothills near the mountains, it is a country inn made from the original central house of what is STILL a 1 million hectares (2.5 million acre) dairy farm. Though the farm is expansive, the core property is lush, charming, elaborately planted, and quite nicely modernized. A number of streams run through and around the central house and yard, in addition to the river which runs through it, making for a delightful array of "water features.” The sound of water everywhere on the property was magical. There are various areas on the property for relaxation, including a beautiful outdoor pool, a hot pool and sauna (that are heated by wood burning, fed by the staff, which is also constantly grooming the exotic vegetation), yoga and massage are available. ||There is, of course, extensive walking possible on the vast property. There are also two more separate and remote "mountain cabins" further up the hill, which are very modern and luxurious, with a spectacular view of the valley below from their decks. All the outdoor furniture is of particularly beautiful designed woods, fitting perfectly into these beautiful, natural landscapes. ||This is a fairly new transformation of the property into an inn/hotel/retreat. The person who runs it, Fabia Rachel, is quite successful in her vision to make it seem more like guests' "country home” than a hotel. The main farm house is inviting, with many informal, comfortable spaces, in which guests are invited to relax, as if in their own living rooms. Meals are taken outdoors, under the cover of a roof, but open to the air, overlooking the lush vegetation and the beautifully groomed property. The eating spaces are indoor/outdoor. In good weather, meals are served in a rustic structure futher out in the yard. And they just built a very elaborate picnic area where guests can be taken or drive themselves, about 2 km from the main house, with an elaborate outdoor kitchen, all right next to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire area, where swimming is also possible! There is an extensive garden there of herbs, spices, vegetables, etc.||As beautiful as the property is, that is not is most commendable feature of Fazenda Santa Vitoria. The staff and the food are. The primary cook was actually associated with the family who owned the farm for many decades, and was so talented that she was asked to stay as chef when the place was transformed for hospitality and guests. The meals were some of the best that we have had in our travels, but the theme is that of “creative farm cuisine,” locally sourced. Many, if not most of the ingredients (especially the dairy from their cows) are grown on the farm. Local fish and meats, an extraordinary range of vegetables, even edible flowers, are used in exotic and creative combinations. Each meal was memorable. ||The staff live on this very large farm; some of them have been part of this property for years before it became an inn, and now they have been very well trained to care for people in a hospitality setting. The staff are attentive, efficient, and friendly, all under the baton of maestra Fabia, who herself radiates welcome and love. She was of excellent help and support to us, concerned about our needs in a way that did indeed make us feel that we were a guest in her home, more than patrons of a hotel. She also is now starting to arrange a variety of day trips which she coordinates with local eco tour companies. She took the guests to visit a local artisanal cachaca distillery that has won international awards, and on a tour through the mountains for beautiful views, more waterfalls, and a remarkable lunch made especially for us at another farm. ||This is a place where you can come for several days to relax, as we did, or have a perfect setting for a destination wedding (which was upcoming the week after we left). It is a place to connect with nature and disconnect from the urban worlds, a wonderful counterpoint to some of the largest cities on earth —Sao Paolo a few hours to the south and Rio to the north. It is a place to be incredibly well fed and well cared for, and easily feel that this is YOUR...

Truly amazing place. Fazenda Santa Vitória provides not only an amazing experience in a place surrounded by nature, but also transforms the stay in an unforgettable experience. We stayed in a Suite Quintal and we would repeat it. The small balcony provides relaxation and increases the contact with nature.

Food is amazing. Full board normally provides only sitting dinners with a pre fixed menu. Here we had the opportunity to have a feijoada in the waterfall ranch (4 km from the hotel in a very accessible and beautiful trail by foot or car). We also had a barbecue in the garden. The breakfast is made mainly with ingredients produced in the farm.

I would point out only one negative point. I know that the purpose here is to disconnect from the world. But having the option of turning on the TV in the room would be great. The rooms do not have TVs and the WiFi signal is weak. Normally I wouldn't care about this, but in our weekend there the NBA finals and the Roland Garros clash between Nadal and Djokovic was on, and I would love to watch both events in the comfort of our room.

Except for the lack or TV and connectivity, I would come back many and many times to this...

Que lugar maravilhoso é a Fazenda Santa Vitória! Saímos de lá já pensando na próxima visita. Desde a reserva, através de WhatsApp, o atendimento foi eficiente e simpático. Um pouco antes da data da hospedagem recebemos a programação, atividades e informações gerais, o que foi bacana para já nos programarmos. Ficamos em uma das suítes da sede - por segurança, só acomodam famílias com bebês na sede, mas foi ótimo, porque a área da fazenda é enorme e na sede estávamos mais próximos de tudo. Todo o casarão é muito bonito e bem decorado, conservando as característica originais da construção. O quarto que ficamos tinha bom tamanho, era confortável e bem decorado, com ótimos enxoval e amenities, cama confortável, ótimo banho. Disponibilizaram berço para nosso bebê. As áreas no entorno do casarão também são lindas, bem cuidadas e com muita natureza. A área do restaurante onde é servido o café da manhã tem varanda aprazível, com linda vista do rio. Adoramos a área do caldário, com ducha de água natural e pequena piscina aquecida a lenha. Adoramos também que algumas refeições foram servidas em eventos fora do restaurante. O almoço no rancho da cachoeira foi nosso favorito. Aliás, a cachoeira é super bonita e conta com gostoso poço para banho. O acesso é por degraus e pedras no final, mas foi tranquilo para chegarmos com nosso bebê de 2 anos no colo. Também gostamos bastante da noite de pizza no haras, com música de boa qualidade ao vivo. Em uma manhã visitamos e passamos algum tempo na Vila Cascata, outro núcleo de hospedagem na fazenda e, para quem gosta de arquitetura, paisagismo e decoração, é imperdível! A casa principal é muito bem decorada, a piscina com vista para cascata e mata é deliciosa e o restaurante com projeto que reune e integra as ruínas da construção original, arquitetura moderna e natureza, é lindo! O café da manhã foi excelente - iogurte e granola divinos! A gastronomia foi boa. Gostamos de todos os pratos que comemos e achamos que sempre tinham boas opções. A degustação de queijos no dia da nossa chegada também foi muito bacana, a explanação foi interessante e os queijos são excelentes - adoramos que tinha o empório para podermos levar para casa os queijos, iogurte e granola produzidos na fazenda. Como a fazenda é produtiva, não existem atividades de interação com animais, salvo cavalgada, mas é possível acompanhar o processo de ordenha e ver muitas vaquinhas e bezerros durante os deslocamentos - nosso bebê amou! Como estávamos com nosso bebê, não participamos de algumas atividades, mas achamos toda a programação proposta para o período muito bacana. O atendimento foi muito atencioso e simpático. Todos foram muito solícitos com as necessidades do nosso bebê. Único ponto de atenção foi que no café da manhã de domingo, o serviço foi um pouco desatento e confuso e como os itens são trazidos a mesa, gerou grande demora e descasamento. No entanto, nos outros dias, correu tudo bem. Ponto importante, é que os deslocamentos dentro da fazenda, que tem área muito grande, para qualquer atividade, são realizados nos veículos dos próprios hóspedes, então acho imprescindível estar com carro. Deixo como sugestão para o hotel, que disponibilizem mais cadeirinhas de alimentação infantis. Durante nossa hospedagem só tinha uma disponível e além de nós, tinha mais uma família com bebê pequeno, então ficávamos revezando e foi um pouco difícil para nós nas refeições que não conseguíamos a cadeirinha. Adoramos a hospedagem e...