Header: Felipe Petrovsky
On the sunny shores of Taíba Beach in Ceará, Brazil, the Carmel Taíba Resort offers different hospitality. Developed and built by the Carmel Group, this hotel opened in 2019 and was conceived as a place where the building itself and the nature around it could have a conversation. The goal was to create an atmosphere of warmth and sophistication that feels more personal and less formal than a typical resort.
The interior design, led by João Armentano and his team at Armentano Arquitetura, is full of personality. Instead of following a single, strict style, the spaces combine different materials, cultures, and memories. Everything seems to have a story. You might see detailed macramé knots near custom-made corten steel furniture. A comfortable armchair that looks like it came from a grandmother’s house sits comfortably in the same room as a sleek, modern piece by famed Brazilian designer Jader Almeida. The design team even paired dark Hitam stone imported from Indonesia with dried bamboo on the property during construction.
A building designed to embrace the view
The architecture, envisioned by Marcelo Franco, gives the resort its fundamental shape. The main building is defined by its clean, straight lines and a broad balcony that opens up completely to the sea. This structure acts as a frame for the incredible view. The thirty-six suites are each treated as individual projects within five general types. This was done to make the most of each room’s specific view and orientation. In some suites, the design even allows existing trees to grow up through openings in the balconies, creating a direct connection with the surrounding environment. The result is a place that feels both rustic and refined, elegant without ever overshadowing the natural beauty of its location.
An outdoor world of water and greenery
The resort’s outdoor areas cover about 12,000 square meters, giving the landscape architects a massive canvas to work with. They created a series of different spaces for relaxing, walking, and just taking it all in. The main swimming pool has a flowing, organic shape and an infinity edge that makes the water appear to drop right into the ocean. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sun rise and set.
Water is a constant feature throughout the property. A reflecting pool at the reception has a curved waterfall, contrasting with the building’s straight lines. Around the spas, another reflecting pool is more geometric, with floating steps and planters that let people walk across its surface. Even the fire pit lounge is an immersive experience, lowered so that guests are surrounded by water while they gather around the central flame.
Walking through the grounds is an experience of discovery. Paths are marked by steps set between patches of grass and sand. Tall totems and walls, made from a mix of volcanic stone and local stones in both polished and rough textures, guide you along the way. These elements sometimes hide and sometimes reveal the next space, making a simple stroll feel like an adventure. The play of shadows from the many palm trees and slatted pergolas creates shifting patterns on the ground and water, adding another layer of visual interest. With more than seventy species of tropical plants, including Philodendrons and flowering Heliconias, the gardens explore botanical richness.
This deep attention to detail and creative approach to hospitality design has earned the Carmel Taíba Resort a win at the LIV Hospitality Design Awards, receiving the prize for Interior Design in the Resort – Midscale & Lifestyle category.
Project info
Company: Armentano Arquitetura
Lead Designer: João Armentano
Other Designer(s): Paula Bertolucci, Cristiana Marquez, Fernanda Ajzen, Adriana Aguiar, Maira Pansonato
Architect: Marcelo Franco
Interior Designer: João Armentano
Hospitality: Carmel Group
Construction Company: Carmel Group
Photo Credit: Felipe Petrovsky
Location: Taíba Beach, Ceará, Brazil
Project Year: 2019
Developer: Carmel Group
