In 2024 the iconic Hotel Arpoador, renowned for its timeless charm, privileged location between the sea and nature, and for providing experiences that harmonize elegance and relaxation, celebrates its 50th anniversary!
History of Hotel Arpoador
The Arpoador Group was founded in the early 1970s. In 1974 the Hotel Arpoador was founded by Manoel and Rachel Strosberg, an artist and a construction engineer who married in the 1940s. The hotel, which bears the same name as one of Rio’s most beloved beaches, reflects the beach style and the essence of maritime life in its interiors. Two years later, its ‘younger brother’, the Ipanema Inn, was born.
In 2009, the third and current generation of the family took over the group and initiated the renovation of the hotels.
That same year, the new Hotel Arpoador reopens completely renovated and with a beach club atmosphere. The grandchildren of the founders, brothers Marcelo and Daniel Gorin, invited architect Thiago Bernardes to orchestrate the general renovation of the building. Located in one of Rio’s noblest spots.
In this total transformation, the hotel dropped the ‘Inn’ prefix from the name ‘Arpoador Inn’, becoming Hotel Arpoador, an icon of Rio hospitality. Hotel closest to the beach in the whole city, which magically combines the best of nature and the urban.
The highlights are the opening of the arp bar, the revival of the esplanade. The iconic set of outdoor tables on the Arpoador promenade, and a series of new experiences with a Carioca soul.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hotel Arpoador, we invite you to embark on a journey back in time, revisit the past and relive the stories that built the hotel. That’s why we’ve invited some special characters who have a personal connection with the hotel and the region. Through their memories, we will recall moments and feelings that are part of the soul of this place.
Arpoador + Tita
In this blog post we begin our journey of memories with Tita. A carioca in love with her city, who has a very particular connection with the place where the hotel was built.
Before it opened, her grandparents’ house occupied the land that now houses the famous Hotel Arpoador. This story, which mixes affection, change and the evolution of Rio de Janeiro, reveals a side of Arpoador that few people know about.
During the interview, Tita recalls one of the aspects that made Arpoador famous during the time of her grandparents. The famous “submarine race”, where couples would go there by car and park along the waterfront to date, has left an iconic legacy and some very curious and amusing cases. Tita shares one of these episodes with us and tells us that her grandmother, as well as being a piano teacher, was also a writer and left some of these records in the family book.
In the boutique on the first floor of the hotel or on the website cityandsea.shop, you can also find books containing fantastic stories about the neighborhood, the beach and the people, as well as beautiful vintage photos from family and personal collections. Such as ‘Arpoador Homenagem’ and ‘Onde o Rio encontra o Mar’.
The famous Submarine Races
Rio’s beaches, with their charm and atmosphere of freedom, were the perfect setting for romance. In the 60s and 70s, with the city growing and little privacy at home. Many young people found a refuge in their cars to date without being disturbed.
The term “submarine” comes from the idea of being “submerged” in the car, hidden from prying eyes, as if underwater. This tradition became an interesting part of Rio’s popular culture, and shows how times were changing.
It’s certainly a pleasure for the Hotel Arpoador to be in such a privileged location that allows it to be a true front-row seat to such cultural changes, as well as to breath-taking natural scenery! That’s why the celebrations marking the hotel’s 50th anniversary go even further.
50 tons de mar
The arp bar, located on the first floor of the Hotel Arpoador, is presenting a special series of four-course dinners entitled “50 Tons de Mar” (50 Shades of the Sea). With the aim of celebrating half a century of history, executive chef Lucas Lemos invites renowned chefs. To create exclusive menus that exalt the richness and diversity of coastal cuisine from different regions of the world.
Each dinner is a unique collaboration, where Lemos’ creativity merges with the distinctive influences and techniques of the guest chefs. The menus reflect the diversity and richness of marine ingredients, offering a five-stage gastronomic journey, served exclusively for one night from September to November 2024.
In the first edition, chef Gonzalo Vidal was confirmed. In the second, Elia Schramm was in charge of the arp kitchen together with Lucas Lemos. To close the series on a high note, chef Bel Coelho will bring her creations to the arp kitchen, which focus on native ingredients and value the food cultures of Brazil. Book your table via this link.
Arpoador + Tecla Music
The truth is that the party only really starts with music, right? That’s why, in collaboration with Tecla Music, we’re celebrating Arpoador’s 50th anniversary with our nostalgic playlists, which range from the 70s, when it all began, to the present day, with the best Rio dancefloor tunes of 2020.
You can check out our wonderful curation of songs on Spotify’s @Arpoador.Rio profile.
The year 2024 is undoubtedly a milestone for Hotel Arpoador and for all those who have been and still are part of the hotel’s history, directly or indirectly. That’s why the invitation to celebrate also includes a toast to all those years of learning and shared experiences.
Available at the arp bar and on sale in the boutique on the first floor of the hotel, the limited edition of arp’s special wine is perfect for those who want to experience memorable moments and celebrate with us by the sea.
Well, it’s clear that here you can celebrate in different ways, all of them as incredible as each other. And with so many charming features and stories full of love and affection, we certainly have good reason to do so! So, embark on this sea voyage with us! Celebrate 50 years of Hotel Arpoador while enjoying incredible experiences.
You can also learn about the stories that have marked this history by following the series of blog posts we’ve prepared.
