VIPs Only: A Look at a Hospitality House That Only Olympians Get Access to in Rio
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In Rio, away from the hectic, dormitory feel of the Olympic Village, you'll find "hospitality houses" spread all across the city. Though some are open to the public, most are private and reserved strictly for Olympic athletes and their guests. And while the majority of these houses are set up by host countries — The Team USA House, for instance — more and more brands are getting in on the action. In Rio, for instance, Oakley, Asics, and Nike are just a few of the major players providing athletes with places to escape.
As a guest of Oakley during the Rio Games, I had the unique opportunity of visiting its impressive (and exclusive) hospitality house, aka The Oakley Safe House.
". . . We wanted to give athletes a place where they could rest, recover, and prepare for their next competition and enjoy their time in Brazil," said Greg Welch, Oakley's global sports marketing manager for the Olympics. "From the food and entertainment to the outdoor experience and vibe, The Oakley Safe House has become a home away from home for many of the world's best athletes."
After looking at these images, you can see why some visitors to the Safe House may never want to leave.
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For Oakley athletes and their guests, the Safe House is primarily a place to relax and unwind. Two years of planning went into the house, and there's no detail that went overlooked; there's indoor and outdoor lounge areas, a TV viewing room, and a full-service restaurant for guests to enjoy.
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Upon walking into the Safe House, you're greeted with a Oakley pop-up shop stocked with its Green Fade eyewear collection, all featuring high-tech Prizm lenses. Each athlete who stops by the Safe House is fitted with a pair of sunglasses that best suits the demands of their sport.
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The heart of the Safe House is the backyard area, which just so happens to run alongside the racetrack of the Jockey Club Brasileiro and has incredible views of the Corcovado mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue. With two open bars and plenty of cabanas, bean bags, and tables to chill at, it's one of the most beautiful settings to take in a race. If the horse races get boring, there's also a cornhole field to pass the time at.
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This secluded patio is a popular spot to catch up with friends and family over a cup of coffee or espresso.
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Because even the best Olympians are superfans, Oakley set up a viewing lounge that airs all of the Olympic events in real time. Team USA's beach volleyball duo Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross are just some of the 500 athletes who have stopped by the Safe House.
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My favorite part of the house was definitely the acai station. Guests can treat themselves to Sambazon smoothie bowls and a DIY topping bar.
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Not into acai bowls? No big deal, just grab something from the Bacio di Latte gelato truck.
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With two Vita Coco bars set up, guests can opt for straight coconut water or have it used as a mixer in the cocktail of their choice. No hesitation here, I chose a caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail.