Do you remember the advertisements for an inn in Paraty in the VHS movies of the 80’s and 90’s?! Discover the history behind the Sandi Hotel – 3 generations sharing a bond of love for a city that has lasted 50 years. Joviro Foz (father of the current hotel owner) discovered Paraty through an invitation of Mr. Jamil Klink, father of the great navigator Amyr Klink.
Mr. Jamil, who had some properties in the area, showed Joviro the place that is now Villa Bom Jardim. It was love at first sight! The place became a refuge for the family to enjoy their time off.
During that period, Paraty had precarious dirt roads and the vehicles had to travel in groups. Lanterns lit up the streets of the picturesque city. It was a gem! The family began a friendship that stands until this day with the local community.
In the 80s, 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 something special in that place.
He bought an abandoned mansion, with no apparent perspective, in the heart of the Historical Center. After six years of renovations, in 1987, he presents Sandra with the Sandi Inn – The first luxury inn in Paraty, a success right from the start!
Cinema: Alexandre decided to place advertisements for the Inn and Paraty before the start of feature films by Paris Filmes, which made the Sandi Inn famous in Brazil. Great names of national and international cinema have stayed there after being invited by the couple.
Curiosity: it was Alexandre who brought the film King Kong to Brazil – the 1st to break the million-dollar barrier in the country. Two large King Kongs, which served as a display in cinemas during its launch, are in the Villa Bom Jardim Gardens
Decor: 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 awarded with the citizenship of Paraty and presented with the key of the city from the mayor, in recognition of her dedication to the local community, and the love given to Paraty.
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 child, who today takes care of the family business. In fact, in 2007, he and his partner at Paris Filmes achieved something unprecedented: making Paraty the scene of a global blockbuster! They took the filming of the movie Breaking Dawn to the city – part 4 of the TWILIGHT Saga, being the honeymoon destination chosen by romantic vampires.
From King Kongs to Vampires, the family shares lots of love stories in Paraty!
