THE JAPANESE CAPSULE HOTEL


When I was little, my mother used to caution me never to even think about crawling into a small space. Perhaps it was those multiple warnings while appliance shopping of “don’t get in that empty fridge and close the door, it’ll seal shut!” that planted a rebellious streak within me that some years later compelled me to do something crazy.  Spend a night at a Capsule Hotel.


Claustrophobics, consider yourself warned and if you need to turn away, I understand. For, this image of spending a night in a 4ft wide/6ft long space (and paying to do so) might be disturbing. I’m quite sure it’s disturbing to most people which is what also makes it so fascinating.
Though I must admit that the average dog in a cage has much more elbow room than a guest in the Capsule, it wasn’t entirely uncomfortable.

There is something inane about a cocooned feeling that evokes a sense of calm, but that all goes out the window as soon as you hear the first noise from your neighbor who's just way too close for comfort separated by a paper thin metal wall. Or, like me, until you start to burst out in hysterics with your travel companions scattered around you in Brady Bunch-opening-montage-formation.

It starts with a vending machine, granted with options you can’t comprehend, so you take your chances, insert some Yen and there you go. A handy ticket pops out that entitles you to one night in a Capsule. Walking down the corridor you get the dazed feeling that isn’t unlike being in a pet shop- hard nondescript linoleum floors under walls lined with cage-like structures 2 rows high.

Enter backwards and head-first and voila- you’ve got a sleep space complete with a thin mattress and blanket, a tv with limited channel selection, a funky 70-s hi-fi radio controller, and a pull down shade for maximum privacy. There’s even an alarm clock, but something told me that there was virtually no chance of me oversleeping. Bags stay locked up outside, as trying to insert anything else besides your body in the crawl space is virtually impossible, and there’s even a separate floor for ladies.

While it’s obvious the Hotel Asakusa & Capsule doesn’t equal comfort, the experience is certainly unforgettable.  Go for a few hours if you can’t spend the night, you’ve got to see it (and sleep in it) to believe it.

HOTEL FASANO LAS PIEDRAS- PUNTA DEL ESTE, URUGUAY

It’s a beautiful thing when your destination is equally as stunning as the winding journey one must take to arrive, and in the case of Hotel Fasano Las Piedras, this has never been more true. One must really have a strong desire to reach this coastal haven, as it is an extensive distance from just about anywhere but once you arrive, you’ll likely find it impossible to leave.

This is a destination for the jetsetter that years for adventure and luxury in abject serenity. Design lines are clean and angular here, farmstyle décor and upon first sight it seems as though it was completely carved right out of the landscape itself. The staff...discrete from years of handling celebrity clientele at sister properties. The service...multilingual, supersonically capable and intuitive down to the last detail. Design lines are sleek and angular, and the landscape is naturally Uruguayan with native flora and fresh vegetables used daily in the hotel’s menus daily.

Here, life is quiet amidst the inspiring scenery and rustic chic décor. This is where one goes to escape, ironically though you find yourself instead enveloped in the center of all that this region embodies. A natural stone outdoor pool beckons, a fabulous spa tempts, and the gorgeous cuisine served up at Fasano presenting Italian goodies and Las Piedras for more casual fare complemented by the ever-creative libations doled out at the bar ensure one is obtusely spoiled for choice.

Bungalows here are intimate and inviting, all proffering phenomenal views of the greenery and the River Maldonado, while high-tech amenities and uber-comfortable bedding enshrouds you while you rest from a day of picnicking by the river, jet skiing and kayaking on the water, a complimentary session with a personal trainer, yoga session and spa treatment.

The perfect antidote to the hypnotic hyper-active Punta del Este beach scene, impossibly close yet very far away from this stylishly remote retreat.

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE OFFER-  Complimentary breakfast for 2 people served in the restaurant, wireless internet access and 15-minute welcome massage in Spa Fasano.

FIERRO HOTEL- BUENOS AIRES

Sleek and chic, lyrical and poetic...the décor will draw you in and hypnotize you for your entire stay. Residing in the fashionably chic quarter of Palermo Hollywood, the Fierro takes the boutique hotel concept up several notches and invites guests to indulge in spacious quarters complete with sleek vinyl furniture, unique textured rubber walls, and Egyptian cotton sheets strewn across king beds.

Savvy, eternally connected travelers will well appreciate the free wi-fi along with iPads to lend, while iPod docks create a surround system tailored perfectly to your liking, resonating beautifully in your soundproof sanctuary of comfort

Though Palermo Hollywood is brimming with shops, dining and nightlife, guests need not go further than a few steps to the Fierro's outstanding restaurant, under the direction of chef Hernán Gipponi, a Michelin-trained master who's delighted countless guests in Spain and has now returned to his native land to dazzle travelers and locals alike. He's created a fine selection of exquisite selections utilizing seasonal ingredients from seasoned scallops with cream of fennel to grilled sea break with artichokes and beyond, always recommending the perfect pairing from their fabulous wine selection. (BTW, the guy in charge of the wine also just happens to be President of the Argentine Sommelier Association...just sayin') Not in the mood for a full dinner? Not to worry, Chef Gipponi's happy hour features beverages and tapas in a convivial atmosphere.

A gorgeous pool provides a haven from the bustling city, featuring a dry sauna, showers, and an honesty bar or simply laze about on your private balcony as you gaze over the treetops and rooftops of Buenos Aires. Viva... http://www.theexplorateurportfolio.com/continent/Fierro-Hotel/

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- Early check-in, late check-out and 1-category room upgrade if available. Connect with us for more information and as always, be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!

THE SEXY (IN)SIDE OF SAO PAULO
 Gray. Serious. Complicated. Enormous. A jumbled mix of thousands of mismatched buildings with jigsaw-style rooftops, all sitting at different levels both in height and décor. People walking on the main streets of Sao Paulo tend to be dressed down, covered up, almost aloof, and the vibe has you questioning yourself over and over again whether you’re actually in Brazil.
I’ve traveled to this megalopolis countless times and though I still haven’t warmed to it, I’ve finally discovered how to enjoy it. Sao Paulo defies everything you’ve learned or thought about the famed carefree, colorful, sexy vibrancy of Brazilian life. That is, until you step inside.
The word inside means quite a bit in Sao Paulo and it’s the difference between having an over-the-top strikingly fabulous stay, or a bland, perfunctory visit with the obligatory stops and subpar meals. Sao Paulo is deceptive. Buildings from the outside that house the most glamorous, chic venues or residences are often moderate if not run-down outside. Some might say this is for security; to me it's clever marketing as there’s nothing more intriguing than gaining access to something mysterious, and getting to the root of Sao Paulo’s sultry side takes a leap of faith.
A step into the impossibly enormous doorway of what otherwise appears to be a drab office-style building with a short drive-up that is the Tivoli Sao Paulo Mofarrej is to be swallowed up by breathy pulses of sound, stark eclectic design elements, and hidden corners where drinks and conversation last for hours.

A seemingly wrong turn down darkened, uninviting networks of complicated streets, paired with a stroll behind a softly lit boutique turns into an arrival at the doorstep of hidden local favorite Back Gastrobar for incredibly indulgent dishes and fabulous jazz.
A marvel of a gaze outside at the semi-circular Hotel Unique whose plain exterior, save for the shape, will have you stupendously surprised at the stark modern interior design and literally endless views at the Rooftop SKYE bar complemented by pulsating beats and smiling, beautiful people day or night. And a saunter through the Liberdade district will have your head spinning with the overwhelming array of Japanese emporiums and restaurants due to the city’s robust Asian population which, for many first-time visitors, is also quite a surprise.

I’ve never been one for clichés, but Sao Paulo is a book that absolutely should not be judged by its cover.