This emerald gem is located 2.5 hours from São Paulo and 3.5 hours from Rio de Janeiro. It lies at the confluence of three river valleys in the heart of the Mantiqueira Mountains, known as the “mountains that weep” due to the abundance of springs and rivers. For Six Senses Botanique, however, there is plenty to be happy about.
After three months of training centered around the Six Senses brand standards and values, hosts cannot wait to showcase out-of-the-ordinary experiences and emotional hospitality, with the Six Senses integrated pillars of sustainability and wellness at the heart of the operation.
The first phase of the resort evolution are most notably gastronomy and wellness – with new menus at Restaurant Mina, a new Fire Side lounge menu, an exclusive eight-course gastronomic journey paired with wines from the resort's select Adega, a reconnection experience with an artisanal outdoor picnic, and pioneering therapies at Six Senses Spa.
“Helping people to reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them is at the center of all that we do. We bring a holistic approach to our food, beverage, wellness, sustainability and out-of-the-ordinary experiences. The idea is that the guest returns home better than when they arrived,” says General Manager Dominic Scoles.
Space for guests to flourish
The property currently offers seven suites in the main hotel and 11 private villas dotted in the hills around it. A further 16 villas are planned, constructed off-site in a modular manner using local materials and sited to minimize their impact on the surrounding flora and fauna. There will also be 37 branded residences, again constructed using an eco-friendly modular approach, available for purchase off-plan.
Epicurean delights
Through the Eat With Six Senses philosophy, Six Senses Botanique will bring out the best of the region’s cuisine and seasonal produce, starting with “Farm to Table” herbs, fruit and vegetables grown in the resort’s own organic gardens and farm.
Mina, the resort’s signature restaurant, offers modern, contemporary Brazilian dishes and 180-degree views of the mountains and valleys, with the suspended fireplace warming the dining room and rich wood floors underfoot.
The new Fire Side lounge features a variety of drinks prepared with home-grown probiotics and a tonic with ingredients harvested from the surrounding vegetable gardens. This is a perfect setting for guests to enjoy the sweeping mountains while sampling local cheeses and cold cuts, house-made coxinha, or fresh grilled vegetables that were still in the ground moments before.
The Adega (Wine Cellar) journey begins in the fireplace lounge, starting with a toast of bubbles with Chef Gabriel Broide as he explains the custom eight-course menu for the evening. Paired with a carefully curated wine list and candles, the atmosphere is ideal for celebrating special moments or simply the joy of living.
Reconnection Experiences offer guests the chance to reconnect with themselves and loved ones while exploring the local flora, fauna and timeless ways of living in tune with the natural world. It can be hungry work, which is why Six Senses Botanique packs a picnic basket with artisanal sandwiches or seafood, fresh pasta salad, organic fruit and salad and bottle of wine.
Six Senses Spa
Nowhere is the local influence more evident than in the spa, which currently features four treatment rooms, beauty salon, floatation pool, sauna and steam room with rainforest mist. There is also an isotonic pool with the same amounts of salt and other oligo-elements found in the human body. New treatment rooms, relaxation and wellness areas, as well as a fitness center will be added later this year.
The Alchemist’s Body treatment is an interactive workshop guided by an expert Alchemist. It teaches guests about the abundant, locally sourced ingredients and products, opening their senses to the various textures and extraordinary aromas as they create their own scrub and body mask that will be used in their treatment afterwards.
They can also set more time aside to reset with a wellness takeover through a choice of Wellness Days including: Boost Your Immunity to build a strong body; Mind Your Brain to improve mental clarity; and Love Your Heart to achieve deeper self-connection and harmony.
Sustainable luxury
Six Senses Botanique will appeal to guests seeking an eco-retreat in nature along with authentic Brazilian design, culture and cuisine. The property is blessed with seven water springs providing guests with their own mineral water (the best drink in the house!). There is a water treatment station to return clean water back to nature. Mindful of making responsible decisions, the resort team also works with community members to see how they can contribute to a better quality of life for everyone, while preserving and celebrating local traditions and culture and the beautiful natural environment surrounding the property.
