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Welcome to Vogue’s first-ever spa guide—a compendium of the 100 best spas worldwide, pulling from the expertise of our global editors. There is a lot out there in the world of wellness, and we are here to sort the cryo from the cold plunge, the infrared light treatment from the IV infusion. Or if your path is a more holistic one—there’s something for you here, as well.
Why go here?
A modern, rejuvenating oasis situated below the ground floor of the Rosewood São Paulo—the Asaya by Guerlain brings holistic wellness to the bustling Brazilian city. It’s the kind of place you’d make a destination if you’re keen on tending to the mind, body, and soul, even in the middle of an urban retreat. And as to be expected in Brazil—a place known to prioritize body care—there are plenty of neck-down offerings like foot baths and shiatsu massages to help with everything from jet lag recovery to body sculpting. Plus, the spa features an impressive gym, workout class menu (yes, even reformer pilates), and a stunning room lined with 400 carefully selected crystals. As wellness and spa manager Ana Flores puts it, each offering seeks to “empower each individual to make lasting improvements and pursue a more positive, fulfilling lifestyle.”
What’s the vibe?
No sterile white walls and cold eucalyptus here. When you exit the elevator at Rosewood’s basement floor, you’re confronted by a mirrored room, resembling something like a jewelry box. Guerlain skin care and perfumes—which scent the spa—decorate the space alongside feather motifs that “pay homage to indigenous Brazilian traditions” Flores says. All of these details were meticulously designed by Philippe Starck. (Another part of the hotel—a new vertical garden tower—was designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Jean Nouvel.)
Upon entry, guests are welcomed to change in a sleek locker room or are guided to a separate treatment lobby where a receptionist will give those in waiting a cacao pre-treatment ritual drink (rich in antioxidants and flavonoids that support natural energy, cardiovascular health, and dopamine levels).
The history?
The Rosewood São Paulo is one of the few remaining early-20th-century historical landmark buildings in the city’s center. In 1904, businessman, banker, and philanthropist, Francesco Antonio Maria Matarazzo founded Hospital Matarazzo—a neoclassical complex that would host some half a million births and eventually be recognized as a cultural landmark. In 2011, the former hospital was acquired by Groupe Allard, which began a preservation project to turn the landmark building into a hotel. The hotel opened its doors in January 2022, and its Asaya spa opened in November 2023. This project is now the “largest upcycling project of a century-old property in Brazil” according to a press release. Also of note: This is South America’s first Asaya spa.
What should you try?
Each treatment at the Asaya by Rosewood is a sensorial experience from start to finish. Of the services I received, the Brazilian Feathers massage was by far my favorite. Created exclusively for this Asaya, the massage is marked by “long and intense strokes, enhanced by a delicate ballet of brushes”—movements designed to promote relaxation and lymphatic drainage. I also enjoyed a reflexology massage in the sparkling Crystal Room, and and Aura Nobile facial where mindful breathing, Guerlain skin care, and deft sweepings of a gua sha left my visage sculpted, plump, and luminously glowing. Whatever you get, you can expect that local ingredients—cupuaçu, açaí, or Amazonian nuts—will be involved.
How environmentally friendly is it?
There are many sustainability measures taken at the Rosewood São Paulo and its accompanying Asaya. The hotel operates with 100% renewable energy, utilizes a management recycling system, and has been constructed with 100% recycled and upcycled materials. According to Flores, the Asaya, specifically, uses 100% natural vegetable oils and a sustainable terry linen in all of its treatments.
What else do we need to know?
TLDR: This Asaya blends Guerlain’s signatures with Rosewood sensibilities and Brazilian influence for a not-to-be-missed wellness and spa experience.
Who can go?
The Asaya by Guerlain is open to hotel guests and external visitors in an effort to foster a positive relationship with the city of São Paulo.
Booking details for Asaya at the Rosewood São Paulo Spa
Address: Rua Itapeva, 435 Bela Vista, São Paulo, SP 01332-000, Brazil
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.
