At the forefront of this operation is Cinzea Nunes, a manager who knows every twist and turn of the path she has taken — from reception to general command of a project with an international signature.
"I started my career right here in Serra Gaúcha," recalls Nunes. "I worked at Serrano, which is now Wish. I started as a receptionist and ended up as a hotel manager." After that, I spent nine years at Cercano Hotel, then opened Mundo Criamigos Hotel, and now, I've become a big fan of DoubleTree by Hilton Caracol Canela.
Hilton in Brazil
Hilton Hotels & Resorts, founded in 1919 by Conrad Hilton, arrived in Brazil timidly in the 1970s, but it was only in 2002, with the Hilton São Paulo Morumbi, that it consolidated its presence as a synonym for luxury and excellent hotel management. Today, with brands such as Hilton Garden Inn, Curio and DoubleTree itself, the chain invests heavily in regional destinations with local partners.
The DoubleTree in Canela is the brand’s 700th hotel in the world. “We rushed to be the first, there was another competitor competing for the same position. We managed to open first and reach this symbolic number,” said the general manager.
The Choice of Cinnamon
The project's investors, two brothers with experience in the sector — including owning a hotel in Maceió — chose Canela after conducting detailed market studies. "They wanted a destination that would balance out the seasonality of Maceió. They went to Campos do Jordão, Curitiba, but it was here in Serra Gaúcha that they found the ideal setting. The hotel's location, surrounded by nature, is one of its biggest attractions. "They wanted the opposite of the sea: they wanted forest. And here they found what they were looking for," said Cinzea Nunea.
Architecture with a mountain soul and international sophistication
The hotel's aesthetics reflect a delicate balance between modernity and comfort, with a sustainable approach and elements from the local flora. The architectural design was designed by two renowned firms: Michaelis Arquitetos and Manzoni Cardoso Arquitetura.
The Michaelis team includes names such as Patricia Gutierrez (Head of Interior Design), Rafael Introini (Project Manager), Thomas Michaelis (CEO and Creative Director), and Vitor Lima Ribeiro (3D Artist). At Manzoni Cardoso, Rafael Manzoni Cardoso, the main partner, brought local expertise and the architectural sensibility of Serra Gaúcha.
“Everything was designed to integrate the hotel into the landscape without sacrificing comfort. The small tables, the reception panel, the wood paneling: everything came from trees on the land itself,” explained Nunes. The symbolism is rich: the headboard of the bed is reminiscent of the shade of an araucaria tree. A silent tribute to the region.
Gastronomy with elegance
The culinary proposal of the DoubleTree in Canela is clear: to offer the richness of mountain cuisine with a contemporary approach. Led by chef Fábio Iran, the menu features icons such as galeto and polenta in sophisticated versions.
The boutique winery is another highlight. It only sells wines from Rio Grande do Sul — and many of them are rare. “We had the help of a local company that helped us map out small and exclusive wineries,” explained Cinzia Nunes. “These are labels that you won’t even find in São Paulo.”
Large spaces, high comfort
With 14 suite categories — three of which are accessible — there are currently 73 suites, and the expectation is to reach 105 with the ongoing expansion. The hotel is betting on a striking difference: spacious rooms. “Most hotels reduce space to gain in number. We did the opposite: we increased the square footage to provide more comfort,” revealed Nunes.
Impact on the local market
Hilton’s arrival in Serra Gaúcha is a turning point. “Gramado and Canela’s reputation for being expensive destinations comes from the lack of proportion between price and service. When the service reaches the price charged, the customer’s perception changes. And we came to offer exactly that: fair value with international quality,” said the general manager.
According to the market itself, the arrival of a global brand could raise the standard of the city's hotel industry. “The expectation is to reposition Canela as a destination not only for tourism, but also for refined hospitality,” concluded Cinzia Nunes.
Report and photo: Mary de Aquino.