This Modern São Paulo Hotel Has In-room Soaking Tubs and a Chic Rooftop Pool With Stunning City Views

When Marriott International’s W Hotels debuted in Brazil with W São Paulo, the aim was to craft a hotel that captured the essence of Brazil. “We want guests to feel that Brazilianness everywhere they look and everywhere they go in the hotel,” says Idu Ribeiro, the hotel’s general manager. After soft opening at the tail end of 2024, it’s clear that the hotel’s Brazilian bona fides run deep.

During my stay, I saw captivating artwork from big names, like Vik Muniz, and lesser-known Brazilian street artists; the hotel decorated almost entirely with local art. It also created a sense of place by sourcing local materials, showcased in the woven furniture and brightly colored rugs and lamps. Dining at W São Paulo’s restaurants was a journey through the country’s distinct flavors. Restaurant Baio Cozinha Sulista offers homey southern Brazilian fare while L40 Cozinha de Latitude, in a vibrant rooftop space already drawing in-the-know locals, does a creative, modern take on Brazilian classics.

Below, my full review of W São Paulo.

The Rooms

W São Paulo is housed within a 40-story skyscraper split between residences and 179 hotel rooms that begin on the 25th floor and extend skyward.

While the interiors—by São Paulo-based Aflalo/Gasperini Arquitetos and Portuguese interior designer Nini de Andrade Silva—are deeply rooted in Brazil, they also feature a contemporary tropical touch.

Guest rooms are chic and modern, with a hefty dose of funky ’70s motifs—think curvy furniture and metallic accents, pops of dark greens and yellows, and a curated collection of local artwork. Oversized windows bring in abundant natural light and expansive city views.

Room categories include: the Cozy, a 226-square-foot space with a king-size bed; the Deluxe King, which increases interior space to 323 square feet; and the Premier Deluxe, boasting an additional 100 square feet along with a whirlpool tub.

There are also 16 suites, including the W Suite, where the living room is separated from the bedroom via a walk-through bathroom with a soaking tub and sliding doors for privacy on each side.

The top of the lineup is Penthouse I, a 1,600-square-foot, three-bedroom suite featuring a circular bed, an expansive living and entertaining area, and a whirlpool.

Food and Drink

Guests enter the hotel through the 24th-floor lobby, which features the Living Room and the all-day Yōso Bar and Café. This morning coffee shop with Japanese pastries turns into an evening cocktail lounge with a deep whisky selection and a Japanese-centric menu of light bites and drinks. “São Paulo has the biggest Japanese community outside of Japan,” Ribeiro says.

One floor down, accessible via an impressive staircase, is Baio Cozinha Sulista, a restaurant focused on southern Brazilian cuisine blended with various culinary influences from across the country, including Portuguese, Italian, German, and Spanish. Here, chef Tuca Mezzomo of São Paulo’s award-winning restaurant Charco puts a Josper grill to use for offerings such as grilled morcilla sausage, Iberico pork chops, and various steak entrées, accompanied by house-made pastas and lighter fare.

Try the smoked tomato tartare, served taco-style in a peppery nasturtium leaf. Pair it with the biquinho martini, made with cachaça and sherry, and your evening is now headed in the right direction.

At the rooftop L40 Cozinha de Latitude—named for its 40th-floor location—Brazil’s most famed flavors and ingredients are injected into international dishes. I sampled a Peking duck-stuffed coxinha fritter, Spanish patatas bravas made with yuca and Belafazenda cheese, and a spanakopita crossed with a fried pastel pastry. Caviar service receives the Brazilian touch as well, with a choice of three caviar varieties served with yuca blinis and creamy requeijão cheese.

Activities and Experiences

The rooftop pool and deck are lined with lounge chairs and offer a captivating view of the surrounding area, from the nearby domestic airport to the mountains outside the city. In true W style, a buzzy vibe takes hold as the sun sets, with bass lines dropping and happy hour drinks being served.

The hotel gym, Fit, is on the 39th floor. Views are abundant here as well, with equipment including Peloton bikes and strength training gear such as a Smith machine for weightlifting.

The Spa

Brazil is hailed as one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, thanks to its rainforests and the Amazon River. It has six biomes: the Amazon, the Cerrado savanna, the Atlantic Forest, the semi-arid Caatinga, the Pampas grasslands, and the Pantanal wetlands. W São Paulo’s Away Spa aims to capture all of them in its treatments and design.

Consider the Amazon treatment space, clad in shades of green and brown, with music and sounds evocative of nature, and therapies that emphasize healing and long strokes, inspired by the river. The deserts of the Caatinga imply robust heat and harsh conditions, so expect treatments that alternate between heat and hydration, with faster strokes and increased pressure.

Family-friendly Offerings

W São Paulo has connecting rooms that can accommodate larger groups and families. Kids are also welcome in the rooftop pool.

The hotel can arrange visits to local attractions like the children’s museum, Museu da Imaginação; the São Paulo Zoo; or Parque de Diversões Marisa, an amusement park with a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a ghost train.

Accessibility and Sustainability

All hotel public spaces and entrances are accessible, and spacious elevators provide easy access across the property. The hotel offers several guest rooms across its Cozy and Deluxe Queen room categories that are accessible and can be booked directly on the website. Features include non-slip bathroom and bathtub grab rails, self-closing doors, lowered door viewpoints, and more.

Sustainability is a focus at W São Paulo, which includes the use of paper straws and providing complimentary cans of water, rather than plastic bottles, for guests. Restaurants source from local suppliers and purveyors as much as possible, and even the materials for the building itself, as well as furnishings and decor, were selected with a nod towards local, sustainable practices.

Location

São Paulo’s snarling traffic scares away certain travelers, so it’s a plus that the hotel is in a central location that’s walkable to nearby attractions and within a short drive of major sites. Renting a car may prove to be more of a headache than a help, but be sure to make use of the hotel’s car service to reserve airport transfers or in-city transportation.

The Vila Olímpia neighborhood has emerged as the city’s new financial hub and the home of several tech companies. Across the street from the hotel is the JK Iguatemi luxury mall. Around the corner, travelers will find Parque do Povo, where lush, green environs help mask what might be a stuffy, humid heat, depending on the time of year. Also nearby is the renowned Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, the city’s main downtown business hub.

Book Now

W São Paulo is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, with membership perks including exclusive rates, complimentary Wi-Fi, priority late checkout, room upgrades, welcome benefits, and lounge access.

Nightly rates at W São Paulo start from $480.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.