Start with two adjoining Colonial dwellings (respectively 17th and 18th century) located right in the “Pelourinho”, the historical quarter of Salvador da Bahia.
Add an exceptional host (Bruno Guinard: part anthropologist, part historian, part botanist and above all impassioned by Latin American culture,
arts and traditions), a pinch of architecture, a touch of decoration, a large helping of patience and let it simmer for 2 years to get : the Villa Bahia.
Renovation
- 2 architects, a structural engineer, a year of work involving team of craftsmen of almost 70 people.
- 50 tonnes of rubble removed from the buildings and borne off in small bags, at night (World Heritage oblige…)
- An acoustics specialist responsible for soundproofing the hotel while keeping the period doors, windows and woof floors in place.
- Work in close collaboration with the town’s historical monuments service.
- The presence of an archaeologist responsible for the inventory of all historical pieces and objects found on the worksite.
- The restoration of a “banho” decorated with azulejos tiles dating from the 17th century, near the pool.