First of all, if you’ve been following our blog series, you’ll know that 2024 was a very special year for the Hotel Arpoador and for everyone who has been and still is part of this Rio icon renowned for its timeless charm, privileged location between the sea and nature, and for providing experiences that harmonize elegance and relaxation. That’s because in 2024 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Hotel Arpoador and we’ve taken every opportunity to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary.
Starting with a real trip back in time that invites us to revisit the past and relive the stories that built the hotel. We welcomed some special people who have a personal connection with the hotel and the region and, through their memories, we recalled moments and feelings that are part of the soul of this place.
In previous blogs, we recorded incredible details of the interviews with Tita and Wendy Andrade. In this blog post, we’ll have the unique point of view of Ira Etz, one of the neighborhood’s iconic muses and a long-time visitor to Arpoador beach. Come and immerse yourself in this carioca nostalgia and be inspired by Ira’s memories!
Arpoador + Ira Etz
Ira begins by telling us that his love for Arpoador comes from his birthplace. Her parents were German, came to Rio and fell in love with the natural setting. For this reason, from an early age Etz was a regular visitor to the place and was able to share with us a little of the feeling that this long-standing relationship has given rise to.
“This is a place that has everything to do with me. I feel at home!”
Among the memories Ira holds of Arpoador is her romance with Arduíno Colasanti, the Italian actor and star of the 50s. They first met on the sands of Arpoador.
Talking a little more about her parents, Ira tells us one of the reasons that made her mother an iconic character on Arpoador Beach. Miriam Etz became famous for launching a unique fashion for the time. She made the two-piece swimsuits herself and later became the first woman to wear this style of swimwear in Brazil.
Her success was such that she attracted people to the beach just to see her there. Like the French singer, songwriter and actor Jean Sablon, who shared many good chats and even games of shuttlecock with Miriam. In fact, it was very common to walk along Rio’s beaches and see people of all ages playing shuttlecock on the strip of sand.
Arpoador: stage for stars and trends
The truth is that Arpoador has always been a place that has attracted eyes from all over the world, and celebrities from all over the world have been visiting it for a long time. In the 1960s, actress Brigitte Bardot, who had already fallen in love with Búzios, also visited Rio and left her mark on the carioca imagination. Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, is another name who surrendered to the charm of Arpoador, and there are even records of his visit to the city.
At the same time, Janis Joplin made history with her visit to Brazil and came to enjoy the free and unpretentious spirit of Rio’s waterfront. More recently, stars like Will Smith and Madonna have also surrendered to the beauty of Rio and the Arpoador lifestyle, which continues to be a symbol of authenticity and inspiration.
Can you imagine Ira Etz’s mother, in her two-piece swimsuit, crossing paths with such iconic figures? It’s as if Arpoador were the natural meeting point for those who dare to break patterns – in fashion, music or life. This mix of innovation and simplicity is what makes the place so special.
On @arpoador.rio‘s Instagram you can find inspiring interviews with Ira and other characters who have contributed to Arpoador’s beautiful history. Oh, and keep following this series of blogs to stay up to date with records like these that make us fall even more in love with Rio’s most beloved corner.
