Come for the Spa, Stay for the Puppies at Unique Garden - AFAR
"Founded as a family home in 1984 by pharmaceutical developer Victor Siaulys and originally called Sítio Lajota, this 74‑acre mountain estate near Mairiporã (just over 20 miles from downtown São Paulo) was intentionally designed to be experienced by senses other than sight—thousands of impatiens in vivid reds, pinks, and oranges sit alongside fragrant, tactile plantings and organic gardens to support sensory engagement for the visually impaired. The property became the base for the Lamara Association (established 1991) to promote social and educational inclusion, and later evolved into a hospitality and conservation site with a serene spa, lagoon‑like pool, three restaurants, and ten contemporary villas by architect Ruy Ohtake. Its on‑site social and environmental programs are extensive: nearly 15 acres of pesticide‑free vegetable and herb cultivation (more than 30 varieties) feed hotel kitchens and are supplemented by greenhouse plantings where classical music is played for plant growth; food waste is composted into the sustainable agriculture cycle; guests are encouraged to plant trees (part of a program that has helped grow over 30,000 native trees). The estate also houses two kennels with roughly 250 dogs (plus cats and farm animals), an adoption initiative funded by Siaulys’s daughter Tatiana that provides application screening and post‑adoption support, and a conservation center caring for about 100 rescued wild animals across roughly 50 species—including macaws, toucans, anteaters, deer, and a maned wolf—rescued from the black market. Community outreach includes the Mara Siaulys Community Center offering free courses and health services, and local employment practices prioritize regionally based staff who receive about 40% more than the state minimum, additional benefits, and long tenures, with nearly half of leadership roles held by women. Overall, the place emphasizes hands‑on sensory experiences, community service, animal welfare, and regenerative agriculture more than traditional luxury, making it a setting meant to be felt as much as seen." - Natalie Beauregard
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