There are few places in Rio de Janeiro that offer a better view of the sunset than the candle-lit veranda of The Lodge; a colonial mansion high up in the city’s hilltops. Situated in the bohemian town of Santa Teresa, charmingly known as the ‘Montmartre of Rio’, panoramic views of Guanabara Bay and Sugarloaf Mountain abound, but it’s what lies within the grounds of this soon to be private club that offers the greatest appeal.
A plethora of rooms, terraces and balconies overlook tiers of fragrant, lush gardens and a beautiful pool, while inside a cool club house and vintage-style tea salon offer more than enough to keep you entertained. It’s simply where you would want to hang out all summer if the opportunity were to arise… This year, with a tiny event known as (ahem) the Olympic Games taking place just a 20-minute drive away, it looks like it has.
Formerly a private house, the building has transformed into a bold and beautiful members-club style venue for the duration of the Games (4-21 August) – and you don’t even have to be a member for an exclusive bite of the action.
Holding up to 1000 guests, The Lodge is available for private hire on a daily, or 3-day basis. You can book the whole thing, or you can hire out a certain area for a party, for example, the poolside and its neighbouring screening room; very handy, when there’s plenty of sporting action to view.
The Lodge is the brainchild of Londoner Nigel Peters and luxury events company, NP+Co. Borne out of a frustration that when London hosted the Olympics in 2012 we missed a trick when it came to luxury hospitality, it hopes to change the services on offer to travelling sports fan for the better.
What was missing from the London Olympics is that it didn't say London, Peters explains – and having put his stamp on some of the City’s most talked about parties, working with the likes of the Elton John Aids Foundation, Bombay Sapphire and Prada, he’s kicking himself he didn’t create make his mark on 2012. He hopes his efforts this summer, something he describes as “the riskiest project” of his career, will more than make up for it.
It hasn’t been an easy journey – he looked at 50 other properties before stumbling across this colonial house – but his commitment to the local and exceptional should stand him in good stead; from the mouth-watering ceviche and the Gran Legado Brut, to a number of Rio’s mixologists, DJ’s and art curators also at the heart of the project.
Respected set designer Jo Sedley has sourced much of the furniture for The Lodge, from drinks trolleys and graphic prints to boho rugs and lounge chairs, nearby, and abstract artwork from street art group MUDA. The resulting space is somewhere between Mayfair’s Sketch and Shoreditch House, by way of Hollywood’s iconic Chateau Marmont. Suddenly getting tickets to watch the beach volleyball doesn’t feel like Rio’s hottest ticket any more…
Of course, the arrival of The Lodge well and truly puts the town of Santa Teresa on the map, too. Until now, it has a remained one of the city’s best kept secrets. A wealthy 19th century town turned 1960s artists haven, the area has always been considered cool, in an understated rather than opulent way; somewhere you’d go to potter around the cobbled streets on a Sunday. Its celebrity inhabitants in years gone by range from singer Amy Winehouse to Mick Jagger – but this summer, you’d imagine there’ll be a few more to add to that list.
Rates of hire range from $200k (whole house for three days) and $40k (area for whole day or night) which includes furnishing, tech and PA systems, club and service staff and wifi. For more information, see http://thelodgerio.com; 020 7434 2306

Where to stay
Santa Teresa Hotel
Santa Teresa Hotel is where Amy Winehouse famously took up residence when she toured Brazil in 2011. Naturally she checked into the Loft Suite with panoramic mountain views and a grand piano, but non of the rooms exactly disappoint, with many boasting garden-view balconies and hammocks. Book into Le SPA for a post-Games massage (well it is pretty tense!), take a dip in the pool or head to the Lounge Bar Descasados after dinner; decadence, dim lighting and delicious cocktails (there are even beds in the bar if it all gets a bit much). relaischateaux.com

Where to sunbathe
Mirante Dona Marta
Avoid Copacabana (yes, it’s iconic but it’s also touristy as hell) and head straight to the nearby Ipanema Beach.

Where to lunch
Zazá Bistrô
Zazá Bistrô is a little bit Moroccan and a little bit Asian inspired. In short, it’s a culinary delight, and makes a refreshing change from the traditionally more hearty Brazilian fare of meat, rice and beans. Order a light sharing starter platter of ceviche, tuna tartare and shrimp with banana chips and a wasabi dip. You can’t go wrong. zazabistro.com

Where to get the best view
Mirante Dona Marta
Going all the way up to Christ the Redeemer or Sugar Loaf Mountain is breathtaking, but it can also feel like a complete waste of time if it’s cloudy – and it often is. Our tip is to take a car up to Mirante Dona Marta, known by the locals as Plan B. A former heliport, it’s where you get a striking, panoramic view of the mountains, including the city’s most iconic highlights. It’s easy to see why it’s popular for a spot of early morning yoga. And it’s only a 20 minute journey from Santa Teresa.

Where to find out more
Santa Teresa
Employing a tour guide isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but former Geography teacher turned local guide, Marco Tedesco is the most entertaining and comprehensive one in town. Running ‘Tours for Smart People’, his knowledge of the area is second to none, and nothing it seems, is out of the question. Need a pharmacy? No problem. Want to organise a helicopter ride above the city? Sure, thing. Marco basically has the answers to everything you want to know about Rio.

Where to drink and dine
Armazém São Thiago
Santa Teresa may be full of neighbourhood bars (including Ronnie Biggs’ local, Armazém São Thiago) but there are some rather chic bar / eateries to keep an eye out for as well. Aprazivel is a bar/restaurant that’s part old house and part forest woodland lodge and as a result is quite magical. Make sure you sit outside and order the fresh roasted heart of palm - a real crowd pleaser.

Where to chill
Escadaria Selarón
If you do one thing ‘touristy’, make it the world-famous Escadaria Selaron (‘Selaron steps’), AKA the steps Snoop Dogg sat on his video for Beautiful. It’s quite something, especially with a Caipirinha in hand, on a heady Saturday night.