http://www.hotelchatter.com/ Hotel Reviews, Hotel Ratings, Hotel Openings en-us Copyright 2008 - SFO Media 2012-02-14T11:12:21Z HotelChatter HotelChatter http://www.hotelchatter.com/images/hcwhite.jpg http://www.hotelchatter.com/ http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/9/16/134050/643 <![CDATA[<p><p><p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/florianopolis.jpg" class="top"><p> <i>Florianopolis: a mix of urban convenience and natural wonders</i><p><i>Brazil is hot and its going to get hotter in the next decade, thanks to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. That's why we're having journalist <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/user/scottmitchem">Scott Mitchem</a>, who has been traveling to Brazil for years, give us the lowdown all week on the country&#146;s evolving hotel scene as well as its top players. </i><p><b>We love Florianópolis.</b> "Floripa" was one of our favorite Brazilian destinations long before earning its current status as a global hotspot. It&#146;s a wonderful mix of urban convenience and natural wonders, both a state capital and a 300 sq. mile island with environmentally protected nature reserves, freshwater lagoons, sand dunes, scottmitchem 2010-09-16T14:48:06-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2006/5/9/1523/81379 <![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3/praia_mole_beach.jpg"><p> When in Brazil, where are you most likely to find the hottest men and women? We hear Praia Mole. <p> <a href="http://www.blackbookmag.com/Public/index.asp">BlackBook Magazine</a> gave this mile-long beach a shout out in their latest issue, and we concur. Warm waters, plenty of beach side cafes, and <a href="http://www.molesurfcamp.com.br/">a nearby surf camp</a> pretty much guarantee that you will see your share of tan, buff, bods. However the question we ask around here is what is the hotel scene like?<p> <a href="http://www.praiamole.com.br/"><b>Praia Mole Park Hotel</b></a> sits across the street from the Praia Mole Beach has a restaurant/bar, plus an outdoor pool and indoor pool. The 93 rooms are a bit dated, but clean enough. Besides,this kind of place is strictly a markj 2006-05-09T15:05:35-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2005/12/13/115957/12 <![CDATA[<p> We hear hotels in Brazil practically classify themselves. &nbsp;<p> Sure, sure, there is a Brazilian Tourism Office (<a href="http://www.turismo.gov.br/site/en/home/index.php">EMBRATUR</a>) and they are trying to standardize such matters, however, right now it appears to be a free for all out there.<p> What does all this mean? &nbsp;Four star hotels may end up smelling like urine.<p> <blockquote><p> We had booked at Coral Plaza for 5 nights which is classes as 4 Star. Some Joke! The room smelled of Urine and we immediately went to The Tourist Information Centre who found us accommodation on the Island.<br> </blockquote><p> The above was the experience one 2005 hotel guest &nbsp;at the 72 room <a href="http://www.westcoral.com.br/fachadaing.html"><b>Coral Plaza Hotel</b></a> in Florianopolis.<p> The lesson? &nbsp;Do plenty of research markj 2005-12-13T11:59:57-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/