When most people think of Brazil, São Paulo doesn't immediately spring to mind. The financial powerhouse, sprawling and intense, gets overshadowed by visions of Rio's beaches and the Amazon's wild expanses. But the city itself is a revelation. Its world-class dining scene, bold architecture, and vibrant yet somehow relaxed atmosphere offer a compelling counterpoint to the financial hub reputation that precedes it. And if you're planning to explore what this massive metropolis has to offer, the Tivoli Mofarrej stands as an ideal base.
Location
Situated in Jardins, one of São Paulo's most desirable neighborhoods, the Tivoli Mofarrej occupies prime real estate just one block away from Avenida Paulista, the city's cultural heartbeat. From here, everything worth seeing is within walking distance or a short taxi ride. The Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP), a striking brutalist structure designed by Lina Bo Bardi and unmistakable for its two red lateral beams, sits just two blocks north. Trianon Park, with its well-maintained gardens, sculptures, and towering palms, is equally close. The boutique shops of the Jardins district surround you on all sides.
The location also puts you within easy reach of some of South America's finest restaurants. The two Michelin-starred D.O.M., helmed by chef Alex Atala, is less than half a mile away. The more casual but equally coveted A Casa do Porco Bar is roughly two miles distant. For nightlife, the samba and forró clubs of Vila Madalena and the bohemian bars of Consolação are a brief taxi ride away.
The Building
Originally designed as an office building for the prominent Mofarrej family, the hotel's 23-story tower rises above Avenida Paulista with architectural restraint. From the street, the glazed frame hides behind oval-shaped brutalist facades and verdant greenery spilling over from Trianon Park opposite. These heavy concrete forms, characteristic of brutalist architecture, create an imposing yet elegant presence that contrasts sharply with the glass and steel surrounding it.
Designed by Patricia Anastassiadis, a prominent architect known for her work with São Paulo's society set, the building embodies a commitment to modern luxury without the stiffness that often accompanies it. The structure nods to contemporary architectural movements that reject stereotypes in favor of clean lines and imaginative design.
The Lobby
Step inside and restraint gives way to spectacle. The lobby is vast and airy, a cavernous space with a glass ceiling that floods the room with light and allows views of the surrounding greenery. The design mixes glossy wooden flooring with marbled surfaces tinged in golden hues, anchored by thick black square paneling. White sofas and sleek chairs furnish the space, which feels more like a contemporary gallery than a hotel entrance.
Lobby
This marriage of nature and modern design reflects a broader aesthetic found in contemporary São Paulo architecture. The transparency and interplay between interior and exterior spaces create a sense of openness that makes the lobby feel less like a hotel hallway and more like a destination itself.
Must Restaurant and Bar
Must Restaurant
Descend to the first floor and you'll find Must Restaurant and Bar, which functions as a garden oasis in the heart of the city. Designed with an urban sensibility, the space features expansive garage-style windows that open to six-foot walls of fern and vegetation. On most nights, live jazz accompanies your meal.
Executive Chef Danilo Brasil oversees the signature cuisine, a menu that reflects the cosmopolitan character of the city itself. The cocktail program is helmed by Adriana Pino, the 2018 World Class Brazilian champion bartender, who crafts both classic and entirely original drinks. During the day, the restaurant extends into the adjoining pool area, a recently redesigned space by Brazilian fashion designer Amir Slama that bursts with tropical colors and lush plantings.
Must serves breakfast from 8 a.m. and stays open until 1 a.m. daily, with food orders accepted until midnight. On weekends, the restaurant offers special programming: Saturdays feature traditional feijoada, a Brazilian stew served buffet-style with an open caipirinha bar and live samba from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays bring brunch with over 30 options ranging from morning dishes to desserts, plus a selection of wines and non-alcoholic beverages, accompanied by live music from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Seen São Paulo Restaurant and Bar
Seen Sao Paulo Restaurant and Bar
Ride the elevator to the 23rd floor and you arrive at Seen, a restaurant that has become a hotspot for well-to-do Paulistas. The panoramic skyline views alone justify the visit. The space offers 270 degrees of the city's concrete skyline, and large windows on all sides mean you're always gazing out at São Paulo's sprawling urban landscape.
The kitchen is guided by Franco-Portuguese chefpreneur Olivier da Costa, whose career has been marked by innovative fusion cooking. Here, chef Gizely Rocha interprets his most emblematic recipes alongside international and varied inspirations. The sushi bar, overseen by chef Fernando Sant'Anna, operates with its own exclusive menu. Sant'Anna's nigiri sushi draws particular attention. The sake menu is comprehensive and expertly selected, an apt pairing given that Japan has one of the largest subcultural communities in São Paulo.
Breakfast is served daily at Seen, with the full five-star buffet experience offered against a backdrop of the city waking up. By night, the restaurant transforms into a gleaming backdrop for dinner and drinks, the city's lights reflecting off the glass and creating an almost ethereal atmosphere.
The Rooms
Deluxe Suite Garden View
The hotel contains 217 guest rooms across its 23 floors, each of which offers sweeping views of the city's skyline and the rainforest-green Cantuaria mountains beyond. All rooms feature Wi-Fi, flatscreen televisions, Nespresso machines, and iPod docks. The décor is modern urban five-star, emphasizing beige and dark wood tones without leaning on stereotypical Brazilian design elements. Bathrooms are well-stocked with high-end toiletries and plush robes.
The Deluxe Suite Garden View spans 45 square meters and accommodates up to three adults. The suite comprises two common areas–a living room and bedroom–with furnishings that include a sofa, chairs, and a walk-in closet. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame a dazzling view of Trianon Park, providing a connection to the greenery just beyond the hotel's footprint. The spacious bathroom features a separate bathtub and shower.
Deluxe Plus Room
Deluxe Plus Room
This room type spans 38 square meters and can accommodate up to three adults. The Deluxe Plus comes with either a king-size or twin bed arrangement and includes a comfortable workspace. The living room contains a chair, sofa, and coffee table, creating a small suite-like experience. The bathroom is appointed with a separate shower enclosure.
Executive Suite Garden View
Executive Suite Garden View
Designed with exclusive attention to detail, the Executive Suite Garden View spans 75 square meters and accommodates up to three adults. The space includes a bedroom with a king-size bed and walk-in closet, a living room with sofa and chairs, and a meeting or dining room that seats six.
The bathroom is outfitted with a Victorian bathtub and a separate shower enclosure. The suite offers a commanding view of both Trianon Park and 9 de Julho Avenue, positioning you above one of the city's key thoroughfares.
Park Suite
Park Suite
This 200-square-meter suite accommodates up to four adults and is conceived in three separate areas: a master suite, a twin suite, and a common area. The common area includes a living room, TV room with home theater, an office with library, a dining room, and a wine cave among other amenities. The design strikes a balance between luxury, comfort, and functionality. The suite privileges views of Alexandre Gusmao Square and Trianon Park, creating a sophisticated and contemporary atmosphere.
Presidential Suite
Presidential Suite - The largest suite in Latin America with 750 sqm
Located on the 22nd floor, the Mofarrej Presidential Suite is the largest in Latin America, spanning 750 square meters and accommodating up to eight adults. The dining room can accommodate 12 people and includes a curated selection of reserve champagnes from the Dom Pérignon caves. A private kitchen and support room complete the suite, along with private access from the hotel elevators–a feature that renders the Presidential Suite a largely self-contained residence within the hotel.
Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase what many consider the best skyline views in the city.
The suite contains three private bedrooms and a fourth master room with a bathroom featuring a spacious Jacuzzi, double rainfall showerheads, and a sauna.
Anantara Spa
Anantara Spa
On the fourth floor, the Anantara Spa operates as a sanctuary designed around Thai wellness philosophy. The name derives from an ancient Sanskrit word meaning "infinite," embodying ideals of freedom, movement, and harmony. The spa combines the holistic benefits of Thai traditions with Brazilian techniques, offering over 25 different health and beauty treatments for the face and body.
The facilities include specialized treatment rooms and private saunas. Therapists are trained in Bangkok, bringing authentic expertise to their work. The spa operates from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. The atmosphere is designed for complete disconnection–a refuge where the sensory experience supersedes conventional spa aesthetics.
The Outdoor Pool
Beyond the lobby, a heated outdoor swimming pool sits at the center of a recently redesigned pool area by Amir Slama. The space bursts with tropical color and lush plantings, creating what feels less like a typical hotel pool deck and more like a garden destination. Lounging options abound, with cushioned daybeds, beach chairs, and chaise longues scattered throughout. The pool sits perpetually warmed, inviting you in even during the city's cooler months. The integration of Must Restaurant and Bar means you can move seamlessly between poolside dining and lounging, observing the weekend crowd of well-dressed locals who treat the space as an extension of the city's social scene.
Alameda Santos, 1437 - Cerqueira César, São Paulo - SP, 01419-001, Brazil
