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ABOUT THIS HOTEL

• DESCRIPTION
• FACILITIES
• ARCHITECTURE / DESIGN
• MEET THE ORIGINAL

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ARCHITECTURE / DESIGN

Oster & Tenório Studio - Osvaldo Tenório

The distinctive and seductive character of Kenoa - Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort is the result of the shared vison, endless curiosity and exquisite eye for detail of both Pedro Marques, his family, and local (interior) architect Osvaldo Tenório. The seeds for the intense collaboration were planted when the eminent Tenório designed the family house years before. Marques was immediately struck by Tenório’s natural fashion and high level of execution.

Architect Tenório gently took the striking vegetation as a lead for the overall personality of the resort. Inside as much as outdoors, the design language is simple, calming and one of contrasts. Opposing features and finishings resulted in a dynamic, yet surprisingly soothing ambiance. Imagine polished wood contrasting with naked brick walls; pure and untouched materials rubbing shoulders with manmade design; refined blank cottons flattered by raw, natural fibre baskets; a Modernist ensemble of a turquoise-colored, rectangular-shaped pool contrasted by an orthogonal, yellow-lit stone wall, completed by feminine-shaped accessories like rounded pottery and thatched umbrellas.

While all oozing the same ‘natural’ design traits, each of the 23 atmospheric villas and suites are fitted with varying sumptuous extra’s - private plunge pools, Japanese oforu tubs, bathrooms with interior gardens, an infinity-edged heated pool.

One of the most outstanding architectural features is the tree trunks that seemingly grow through the hotel, piercing through floors and roof on their way up. The tree trunks, more precisely reforested Eucalyptus, collide with the stark exterior, making it appear the hotel arises from the green, one of the first ideas of architect Tenório which was applauded for by Marques immediately.

Kenoa tells a local story with global characters: raw materials, artifacts and objects were obtained from places as diverse as Bali, Japan, Central Africa, the Amazone, the pacific islands of Samoa. For instance, green batu hijau stone from Bali is used in the pool; several suites are decked out with a Japanese ofuro tub, made of fragrant hand-planed cedar wood. From Brazil, there are old-fashioned street lamps in the restaurant. In the spa’s relaxation area, framed wood carvings from China give a Zen flavor to the irregular concrete walls. Indigenous artifacts - Samoan paper crafts, Amazonian tree bark skirts, dyed vests from Central Africa - are fanned out over various parts of the premises.

A play of textures, aromas, essences and vibrations, the aura of Kenoa is as multifaceted and embracing as the South American culture itself. “Actually, almost everything you see here is tailor-made, right up to the staff uniforms” says Marques.