Ariau Towers
In 1982, Mr. Jacques Cousteau, a world famous oceanographer, was in the Amazon with his team, and in Manaus stayed at the Mônaco Hotel where he met the hotel´s owner, Dr. Ritta. According to the hotel's foundation, it was all Jacques Cousteau's idea. “One day the eyes of the whole world will be on the Amazon,” he said. Cousteau told the hotel´s owner, Dr. Ritta: “If you build a hotel up in the trees, people will come.”
The idea of Ariaú Amazon Towers was born.
Dr. Ritta decided he wanted the hotel to be built above water, in the flooded area of the rainforest, thus creating a great challenge for himself. The construction had to follow the natives model of building and it had to be built by them since they dominate the technique of building on stilts. The next phase of the project was intended to arrange a competent team of professionals, able to execute this hard job and make the idea into reality. The construction began around July of 1985 and one year later, exactly July of 1986, the first tower of the Ariaú Amazon Towers was ready.
Among of the facilities of the hotel we find some unique features. The hotel has 288 units among apartments, suites (located in the towers) and tree houses. One of the houses that deserves to be mentioned is the Tarzan House. It allows the visitor to have an amazing view of the area. The house is built on top of a living tree, at the height of 72ft from the ground.
The towers are interlinked by a wooden catwalk system of approximately 5 miles, at the height of the tree tops. Other facilities within these tree tops include 2 swimming pools, two observation towers 134 ft high and a panoramic auditorium for 450 people. There are also restaurants serving delicious regional foods, bars and convenience stores.
The hotel includes tours within the forest, such as: canoe walk, jungle walk, piranha fishing, visit to native´s houses, observation of nightlife animals. The wildlife is all around the hotel, with monkeys and macaws kept in close reach for the visitors. Tourists may feed the animals, but must respect their diet. Among the beautiful and different creatures,we´ll find a rare kind of dolphin that lives in the river. A pink dolphin. They are very friendly and love to show themselves.
You may also observe the Meeting of the Waters. This amazing phenomenon happens where two main rivers, that form the Amazon river, meet and because of density and different temperatures don´´t get mixed. The separate shades of water run side by side for a length of more than four miles without mixing. This is one of the most expected parts of the trip.
You also might want to visit a secluded indigena community. One of the indigena´s community in the area allows visitors to watch their rituals being performed. They will present their stories, dances, ways of living, food and drinks, inviting the tourists to join them.
Staying at this hotel is somewhat expensive, but the experience and nearness to nature´s innermost essence leave you an impression of peace, tranquility and excitement. Those who choose to stay in such a place seek a peaceful environment, which they can be certain to find at Ariau Hotel. You will also find yourself immerged in learning about this amazing amazonian culture.
Certainly this is not just one more hotel stay among many others, but rather a deep experience into one´s culture. It's a highly recommended destination.
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