The history of Hotel Girassol da Serra, opened in 1986, is intertwined with the railway memory of Santa Maria Madalena itself. The complex preserves 19th-century buildings that witnessed the era when the train tracks reshaped the interior of Rio de Janeiro state.
The hotel headquarters operates in a historic mansion located right next to the old Santa Maria Madalena Railway Station (currently the House of Culture). The building draws attention for its striking lower basement and foundations built with stone and stonework staircases. Inside the grounds stands a perfectly preserved relic: the old Station Master's House, which in the past displayed the inscription EFL (Estrada de Ferro Leopoldina) and today serves as our charming gathering and barbecue area.
The hotel's leisure area and pool are located exactly on the grounds that preserve the memory of the old Turntable — the exact point where the steam train made its return maneuver in Santa Maria Madalena. The old railway maneuvering yard has given way to a space for rest, surrounded by nature and the singing of birds.
More than a retreat, we are a cultural landmark. The hotel has hosted performances by renowned artists such as singer Daniel and the duo César Menotti & Fabiano. In 2012, our unique atmosphere served as a filming location for the Rede Globo miniseries 'Dercy de Verdade,' hosting icons of Brazilian television such as Heloísa Périssé, Walter Breda, and Cássio Gabus Mendes.
Living Cultural Heritage in every corner: tall hardwood doorways, original structural foundations, and stone staircases that silently tell the story of the heyday of inland Rio de Janeiro.
Built at the height of the railway period to house the elite and the station master.
The mansion has its facade and stonework structure protected, earning it cultural heritage status.
The space officially opens its doors as a charming boutique hotel and mountain retreat.
Meticulous restoration preserves the old home, hardwood doorways, and historical structure.
The hotel hosts the cast of Rede Globo and serves as a setting for the miniseries 'Dercy de Verdade.'