THE FACTS ABOUT HOTEL UNIQUE

Brazil

It's safe to say that the Hotel Unique lives up to its name. Located in São Paulo's posh Jardins district, close to Ibirapuera Park, the 95-apartment hotel looms large over the city like an abstract Noah's Ark washed up on shore. Designed by talented Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake, the Unique is pure drama. Cars ascend a large, circular driveway before reaching sleek, jagged-edged side-doors, where hulking doormen escort guests to the reception - a towering, light-filled atrium with contemporary furniture, modern art and a welcoming glass of chilled Champagne. The all-white bedrooms with wooden floors are unusually shaped and come with plasma TVs and remote-control drapes. The bathrooms open into the main room and turndown service includes freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies. Breakfast, taken in the sun-drenched penthouse restaurant, is a healthy yoghurt-and-fruit affair, while SKYE, the hotel's popular restaurant (it has Continental and Japanese menus), is incorporated into a rooftop space that includes a swanky al fresco bar and a red-tiled, 24-metre pool. True, the Unique lacks that local must-have - a heliport - but a small library of quality art books and soon-to-open gym may go some way to compensate. WHEN TO GO Now. With the Brazilian real at historic lows, the Unique will serve as your happening HQ for a serious shopping spree WHICH ROOM TO BOOK Upgrade to one of the 12 suites. They come with see-through bathtubs and living rooms shaped like ski jumps CONTACT Hotel Unique, Avenida Brigadero Luís Antônio, São Paulo, Brazil (00 55 11 3055 4700; fax: 3889 0005; www.hotelunique.com.br). Doubles from US$228