(ATR) Olympic hospitality houses have become a Games tradition and in Rio there are more the 50 houses with a vast array of cultural celebrations on offer.
Hosted by countries, sponsors, bid cities and host cities, some houses are open to the public while others are for invited guests only. The houses focus on providing entertainment and promoting the country’s tourism and business opportunities though some nations provide a legacy to the city of Rio and its inhabitants. After the Games, the Swiss will leave behind a modernized baseball pitch in their site in Lagoa, while the Danish will be donating 65 bicycles to the city as well as toys for schools and a massive mock-up of the city made entirely of bricks from house sponsor Lego. Casa Daros, a former art gallery which is the venue for Bayt Qatar, will be converted into a bilingual public school.
With so many to choose from, here are ATR’s top-10 picks for houses to visit in Rio:
HOUSE OF SWITZERLAND
Baseball Park at Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
www.swissando.com.br
FREE
A huge space in Lagoa, Swiss House has three houses and expansive outdoor parks to offer the public. It features an outdoor ice skating rink, a sprint track with timing system and photo finish, and Swiss tourist attractions such as a gondola, a typical Swiss mountain railway and a giant snow globe. There is unique Swiss food cooked in a fire pit as well as sport, concerts, DJs, street artists, cinema, workshops and other surprises.
HOLLAND HEINEKEN HOUSE
Clube Monte Libano, Av. Borges de Medeiros, 701 - Leblon, Rio de Janeiro
www.hollandheinekenhouse.nl/
TICKETED
If there was a gold medal for hospitality houses, the Dutch would be a podium contender at every Games. Holland Heineken House has built a reputation as the place to party in the Olympic host city – and the tickets are priced accordingly at €45 for foreigners. They sell out fast! Located near the Lagoa stadium, Heineken House in Rio offers the usual top lineup for artists at night as well as lessons in swimming, football, volleyball and stand-up paddle boarding during the day.
USA HOUSE
Colégio São Paulo, Avenida Vieira Souto, 22, Ipanema
GUEST LIST ONLY / STORE OPEN TO PUBLIC
Located in Ipanema, guests enjoy multiple levels of relaxation and gourmet hot dogs and hamburgers while they watch Olympic events on big screens. Those who aren't on the guest list have access to a store with exclusive products from Team USA, including clothes and kicks from Ralph Lauren, Nike and other top brands.
THE DANISH PAVILION ON IPANEMA
Ipanema Beach, opposite the Praia Ipanema Hotel
www.visitdenmark.com/ipanema2016
FREE
The Danish Pavilion itself is a testament to the world famous Danish architecture and is located in the heart of Ipanema. It boasts an interactive mural called the "Happy Wall"; lego building for kids; displays of Danish furniture; virtual reality experiences and sunset DJ sessions.
CASA BRASIL
Olympic Boulevard: Avenida Rodrigues Alves, 10, Armazém 2, Gamboa
www.casabrasil.gov.br
FREE
Two huge warehouses packed with cultural information and activities about Brazil. There are coffee workshops; chocolate and wine tasting; sports activities for kids and Brazilian artists and musicians performing.
CLUB FRANCE
Av. Borges de Medeiros, 2448 - Lagoa - Rio de Janeiro – RJ
http://www.clubfrance.com.br/english
TICKETED
Business by day, party by night. Club France offers networking, French food, culture and big screen sport and when the sun goes down, the house transforms into a club with French DJs.
OLIALE GERMANY ON THE BEACH
Leblon Beach (Next to Jardim de Alah river channel)
www.facebook.com/ConsuladoGeralAlemaoNoRio
FREE
Germany has a house located in Barra too, but this one in Leblon is open to the public and situated right on the beach. It promotes German art, culture, technology, music and food in addition to sports activities and live sports action.
BRITISH HOUSE
Parque Lage – Rua Jardim Botânico
www.britishhouserio.com
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
British House is located in the beautiful buildings and grounds of Parque Lage, Jardim Botanico. Team GB victories will be celebrated here and the venue also offers an innovative program of cultural and business events covering a variety of themes from investment and sport to music and the creative industries. The house features an exhibition about the legacy of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
ITALY HOUSE
Clube Costa Brava, Rua Srg. José da Silva, 3621,Joá
www.rio2016.coni.it/en/
GUEST LIST ONLY
The exclusive Costa Brava beach club will host Casa Italia in Rio with unrivaled views and a near-private beach. The house offers visitors the very best of Italian and Brazilian cuisine, as well as famous Italian art and fashion. With Rome a bidding city, Italy House is putting on all its airs to impress.
AUSTRIA HOUSE
Av. Venceslau Brás, 72 – Clube Botafogo
www.austria-house.at
The home base for Austria’s broadcast and journalists at the Rio Games, Austria House is in the clubhouse of FC Botafogo. It offers extensive business opportunities but it’s more likely that you will come for the food than the business, with an Austrian cuisine on show with a restaurant and bakery. If you haven’t had enough Brazilian baked goods in Rio already, Austrian House will be sure to fill you up.
Written by Alice Wheelerin Rio de Janeiro
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