The Carmel Icaraizinho resort opens in Ceará, Brazil, on 18 December with a 390 m² tent and private-pool villas

Carmel Icaraizinho Resort will welcome its first guests on 18 December 2026 on Icaraizinho beach, in the state of Ceará in north-east Brazil. The fourth resort in the Carmel collection, it will offer around 70 villas and a 390 m² tent, every one with a private pool or hot tub, all designed by architect João Armentano.

A fourth Carmel on the Ceará coast

Brazilian group Carmel Hotéis, which has 15 years of history behind it, already runs three resorts on the Ceará coast: Carmel Taíba, Carmel Charme and Carmel Cumbuco, in São Gonçalo do Amarante, Aquiraz and Caucaia. The newcomer sits further west, at Icaraí de Amontada on Icaraizinho beach. Announced back in 2022, with an opening first pencilled in for early 2025, the project now carries a “Soft Open” label on the group’s website.

João Armentano designs for the sea breeze

João Armentano is in charge of the architecture and Alex Hanazaki of the landscaping, on a beachfront plot of more than 26,000 m². The architect says he positioned each building to catch the natural ventilation and frame the sea view. The renderings show terracotta villas, pathways lined with cobogós, the openwork walls typical of Brazilian architecture that let air and light through, and gardens that slope down to the sand.

Nine types of villa, from 60 to 290 m²

Each villa is named after a Brazilian fruit or plant. The smallest, Vila Caju (cashew), starts at 60 m² with a private hot tub; Vila Carambola (90 m²) and Vila Tamarindo (105 m²) each have a pool, the latter a garden too. Moving up in size, Vila Murici (140 m²) sleeps up to five, while Vila Castanha (around 160 m²) puts its private pool on the roof.

Families should look at the two-bedroom villas: Vila Algodão (around 190 m², up to six guests), Vila Juazeiro (230 m², with roof terrace) and Vila Graviola, the largest at 290 m², with pool and hot tub. Vila Urucum, at around 200 m², completes the line-up. Every villa has a king-size bed, espresso machine, minibar, smart TV, personalised sandals and toiletries.

Fancy a night in a 390 m² tent?

The resort’s tenth category, the Tenda is a glamping tent, luxury camping under canvas, measuring 390 m² for up to four guests. It will combine a bedroom with bathtub, a living area and a pool, giving it more space than the biggest villa.

Eight treatments at the Carmel by Caudalie spa

The spa will bear the name of French brand Caudalie. For the face, four treatments draw on its Resveratrol Lift, Vinoperfect, Vinosource and Vinopure ranges; for the body, there are three rituals: Crushed Cabernet, Vinotherapist and Vinosculpt. A Carmel Massage, without Caudalie products, rounds off the menu.

Up to 20% off the very first stays

Bookings are open for stays from 18 December 2026, with an opening offer of up to 20% off from 18 December 2026 to 30 June 2027, on terms that vary from one period to another. Rates have not yet been published, nor have the restaurant menus; the renderings show a lobby beneath a timber roof and a dining room in leather tones.

Three hours’ drive from Fortaleza

The resort lies about 3 hours by car from Fortaleza airport, with transfers offered by partner BLtour. For more addresses in Brazil’s Nordeste, see Villa Pantai, on the edge of the Lençóis Maranhenses, Primitivo Hotel & Villas in Alagoas and the 22 Brazilian hotels awarded Michelin Keys in 2026.