Normandie Design Hotel

Av. Ipiranga, 1187, Center

11-3311-9855

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Au courant hotel is a surprise find in the center. White lobby with glossy black banquette sets the colorway for the rest of the place. Unusually wide corridors befit the shopping-bag-laden Brazilian guests who come to downtown, Bom Retiro and Bras for massive cheap-shopping ventures, maintaining enough stamina to hit the Feira da Madrugada shopping event in the latter that happens Monday through Saturdays starting at 3 in the morning. The monochrome theme is carried into the spotless rooms, where white linens meet black, vinyl-cushioned headboards, heavy blankets and molding that Michelangelo Antonioni would adore. Chrome shows up in light fixtures for a contemporary touch. Sweet, modular restaurant is evocative of a diner because of dark, heavy double swinging doors; food is Brazilian. Guests do their drinking downstairs in a modest, airy room off to the lobby’s side with lots of tables.