Posted on
2009-01-05
When it comes to currency, you may have thought the half-penny was long gone. The Olde English coin which could once buy you a punnet of apples or a pint of ale was washed away in 1970, never to be seen again… or was it? Today it seems that a new kind of half penny has emerged across the Atlantic, in the sizzling Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, but this one is somewhat larger than the original.
Designed by Niemeyer protegé Ruy Ohtake (himself one of Brazil’s most famous architects), the cutting-edge Unique hotel takes the form of a half-disc, like a penny balancing on its edge, with the top half sawn off. The result is not just a striking silhouette, but an ingenious way to skirt the 85-meter maximum height restriction, while concentrating its guest rooms toward the top for ideal city views. This theme of intelligent architecture runs throughout the sleek hotel, inside and out, including the glass-bottomed swimming pool, ebony atrium, and ‘blonde’ bedrooms which offer a refreshing contrast of light and dark. The building is topped off (literally) with Skye, the award-winning (and some would say legendary) rooftop bar boasting the best cityscapes in the area. What’s more, guest rooms are full of welcome touches, such as plasma televisions and bathrooms with windows that can be thrown open to the rest of the apartment.
A true asset to Latin America’s largest and richest city, Sao Paulo, a stay here will not be one to forget. Head over for some glitz, glamour and a true design fix. And what’s better, if you book a long weekend with Black Tomato, the currency will be on your side too, as visiting the Unique before March can get you an amazing deal.
www.blacktomato.co.uk, or call 0207 610 9008 for more information.
