A bit of our history
Do you remember the advertisements for an inn in Paraty in the VHS movies of the 80’s and 90’s?! Discover the story behind the Sandi Hotel — a love affair with a city, lived by three generations over the past 50 years. Joviro Foz (father of the current hotel owner) discovered Paraty through an invitation of a friend, Mr. Jamil Klink, father of the great navigator Amyr Klink.
Mr. Jamil, who owned some properties in the region, showed Joviro the place that is now Villa Bom Jardim. It was love at first sight! The location became the family’s retreat for leisure moments. At that time, Paraty had precarious access via a dirt road, and cars had to descend in a convoy. Oil lamps illuminated the streets of the picturesque town. It was a jewel! The family established a relationship of friendship with the local community that is maintained to this day.
In the 1980s, Sandra Foz (Joviro’s daughter) met her future husband, Alexandre Adamiu, president of Paris Filmes. She invited him to visit her refuge and, once again… Love at first sight! Alexandre, who was a visionary, saw that location as something special. He bought an abandoned and unpromising mansion in the heart of the Historic Center. After 6 years of renovation, in 1987, he gifted Sandra with Pousada do Sandi – Paraty’s first luxury guesthouse, a success from the start!
CINEMA: Alexandre decided to place advertisements for the Pousada and Paraty before the start of feature films by Paris Filmes, which made Pousada do Sandi famous in Brazil. Great names in international and national cinema stayed there at the couple’s invitation.
FUN FACT: it was Alexandre who brought the film King Kong to Brazil – the 1st to break the million dollar barrier in the country. Two giant King Kong figures, once used as cinema promotional displays during the film’s release, now stand in the gardens of Bom Jardim Villa (mentioned earlier in the text). They can be spotted while enjoying a boat ride across Paraty Bay.
Decoration
The owner, Sandra Foz, is responsible for each and every detail of the hotel. She opted for a tropical decor, with works by local artists, along with cinematic decor (due to the family’s connection to this industry), with movie memorabilia including a beautiful 35mm projector, original handwritten letters from Rita Hayworth to Jack Warner and Alfred Hitchcock, as well as posters of classics, which you can see around the hotel. Without a doubt, the decoration is one of the great features of the Sandi Hotel!
In 2008, Sandra was honored as a citizen of Paraty, along with the key to the city, from the mayor, in recognition of her dedication to the local community and the love given to Paraty.
The name "Sandi Hotel"
The name “Sandi Hotel” is a tribute to Alexandre’s father, the Romanian immigrant and founder of Paris Filmes, Sandi Adamiu. The same name is given to the couple’s only son, who now manages the family business. Furthermore, in 2007, he and his partner at Paris Filmes achieved something unprecedented: making Paraty the setting for a global blockbuster! They brought the filming of the movie Breaking Dawn – Part 4 of the TWILIGHT Saga to the city, the chosen honeymoon destination for the romantic vampires.
From King Kongs to Vampires, there are many family love stories in Paraty!
SAndi Hotel
Much more than accommodation
Located in a charming colonial mansion in the heart of Paraty’s Historic Center, Sandi Hotel has been combining tradition, sophistication, and impeccable hospitality for over 35 years.
We are a Charming Route (Roteiro de Charme) Member
The Roteiros de Charme Hotel Association is an independent entity that selects hotels according to strict criteria of quality and socio-environmental responsibility. Currently, only 73 Brazilian hotels are part of this select group.
Staying at a hotel with the Roteiros de Charme seal means ensuring an experience of good taste, comfort, passion for hospitality, a privileged location in harmony with the environment and the region.
