Latest
issue
GET SPA BUSINESS
magazine
Yes! Send me the FREE digital editions of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines and the FREE weekly Spa Business and Spa Business insider ezines and breaking news alerts!
Not right now, thanksclose this window I've already subscribed.
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
AOL co-founder David Cole to open spa resort in Brazil
POSTED 14 Sep 2012 . BY Kath Hudson
Image: The spa will use exclusively Brazilian products

The first '100 per cent Brazilian spa' is set to open at the Botanique Hotel & Spa mountain retreat, created by AOL co-founder, David Cole, founder of The Body Shop, Gordon Roddick and Brazilian entrepreneurs, Ricardo and Fernanda Semler.

Set in 700 acres (283 hectares), in the mountains of Campos do Jordao, half way between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the retreat will have six suites and 11 private villas - each individual in design.

Set to open on 1 November, the resort's leisure facilities include a restaurant, private movie theatre, outdoor pool, Olympic standard horses, a library and cookery school.

Showcasing the best the country has to offer, the interior design has been curated by several of Brazil's most revered interiors' experts, with furniture and artwork commissioned from emerging and established designers and artists.

Rare local materials have been used, including the local chocolate slate.

The 10,000sq ft Spa at Botanique will offer signature treatments encompassing ancient native healing and relaxation rituals.

There will be eight specialised treatment spaces, relaxation suites, as well as an indoor pool and dry and wet saunas.

Service will be extremely high: the room rate (around US$1,300/£790 a night) will include food, wines and winetasting, minibar, beverages, experiences, activities and laundry.

Guest luggage can be collected from hotel in Sao Paulo before the guests arrived, and unpacked, ironed and hung in their rooms. Each guest will have an 'anchor' assigned to look after them.

One of the resort's co-founder, Brazilian entrepreneur Fernanda Semler, said: "We are introducing a new concept of contemporary Brazilian hospitality, rescuing the authenticity of old Campos do Jordao, which was an anchor for spiritual retreats and combining with a top of the line luxury feel."
MORE NEWS
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort to unveil new spa in February 2027
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy, will reveal a new spa in February 2027, which has been designed by wellness expert and consultant Patrizia Bortolin.
ISPA launches on-demand customer experience course by Dan Gingiss
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has launched a course by customer experience expert Dan Gingiss on its iLearn platform.
Virgin Active opens social wellness club in London's Mayfair
Corinthia appoints Peter Roth as president of hotel operations
Peter Roth has been appointed as Corinthia’s president of hotel operations.
+ More news   

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
JK Group UK & Ireland Plc

A wholly owned UK and Ireland subsidiary of JK Group in Germany with an established heritage of 30+ [more...]
Sothys Paris

Founded in 1946, Sothys is owned by the Mas family. Chief executive Christian Mas oversees the com [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
AOL co-founder David Cole to open spa resort in Brazil
POSTED 14 Sep 2012 . BY Kath Hudson
Image: The spa will use exclusively Brazilian products

The first '100 per cent Brazilian spa' is set to open at the Botanique Hotel & Spa mountain retreat, created by AOL co-founder, David Cole, founder of The Body Shop, Gordon Roddick and Brazilian entrepreneurs, Ricardo and Fernanda Semler.

Set in 700 acres (283 hectares), in the mountains of Campos do Jordao, half way between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the retreat will have six suites and 11 private villas - each individual in design.

Set to open on 1 November, the resort's leisure facilities include a restaurant, private movie theatre, outdoor pool, Olympic standard horses, a library and cookery school.

Showcasing the best the country has to offer, the interior design has been curated by several of Brazil's most revered interiors' experts, with furniture and artwork commissioned from emerging and established designers and artists.

Rare local materials have been used, including the local chocolate slate.

The 10,000sq ft Spa at Botanique will offer signature treatments encompassing ancient native healing and relaxation rituals.

There will be eight specialised treatment spaces, relaxation suites, as well as an indoor pool and dry and wet saunas.

Service will be extremely high: the room rate (around US$1,300/£790 a night) will include food, wines and winetasting, minibar, beverages, experiences, activities and laundry.

Guest luggage can be collected from hotel in Sao Paulo before the guests arrived, and unpacked, ironed and hung in their rooms. Each guest will have an 'anchor' assigned to look after them.

One of the resort's co-founder, Brazilian entrepreneur Fernanda Semler, said: "We are introducing a new concept of contemporary Brazilian hospitality, rescuing the authenticity of old Campos do Jordao, which was an anchor for spiritual retreats and combining with a top of the line luxury feel."
MORE NEWS
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort to unveil new spa in February 2027
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy, will reveal a new spa in February 2027, which has been designed by wellness expert and consultant Patrizia Bortolin.
ISPA launches on-demand customer experience course by Dan Gingiss
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has launched a course by customer experience expert Dan Gingiss on its iLearn platform.
Virgin Active opens social wellness club in London's Mayfair
Corinthia appoints Peter Roth as president of hotel operations
Peter Roth has been appointed as Corinthia’s president of hotel operations.
Hoshino Resorts opens Kai Kusatsu as it expands the Kai onsen ryokan brand
Kai Kusatsu, an onsen ryokan property has launched in the famous Japanese hot spring destination, Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture.
Luxury resort coming to Hunter Valley will have longevity spa
Private hotel owner and developer HVL Hotels will open a new luxury resort and tourism destination called Laval Hunter Valley in the second half of 2027 in Pokolbin, Australia.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
JK Group UK & Ireland Plc

A wholly owned UK and Ireland subsidiary of JK Group in Germany with an established heritage of 30+ [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS