Where to stay when you leave.
1/31/2008 at 9:10 AM
Tags: Carnivale Hotels, Rio de Janeiro Hotels, Best Westerns
If you thought you'd never live to see the day where staying at a Best Western hotel actually came recommended, then brace yourself.
Just in time for Rio's Carnival, we've uncovered this discounted Brazilian gem, Best Western Sol Ipanema, off Ipanema Beach. For a Best Western, the décor is uncharacteristically trendy and rooms look on par with what you might find elsewhere at a more expensive price. The property also offers a rooftop pool and, like the girl from Ipanema, its restaurant looks straight at the sea.
And perhaps our mind is in the gutter today, but another reason we love this hotel is that its web site promotes a Carnival deal by announcing, "Check our package!" Really, how could you resist?
We didn't, and found that the promotion, starting at $2,585 for a deluxe beachfront room, requires a minimum four-night stay and offers a complimentary full Brazilian breakfast buffet.
[Photo: PapaWillie54]
by jennm
2/19/2007 at 12:02 PM
Tags: Festival Hotels, Carnaval Hotels, Rio de Janeiro Hotels, Helipad Hotels, Party Hotels
Carnival (Feb 17 - 20) is in full swing, and according to The Guardian, plenty of American soldiers on leave are turning the sensual Brazilian celebration into a sexual conquest game.
Companies like Tours Gone Wild make a mint packing soldiers and other tourists into Rio de Janeiro hotels this time of year, and it takes a toll on the hotels.
One such Carnival party hotel is Hotel Gloria. On the Saturday of Carnaval the Gloria hosts an insane costume contest early in the evening, which is considered one of the best Carnaval parties by many long time attendees.
Heaven for doughboys, no doubt, however, guests of the hotel see the post party fallout year round:
Our room was a huge disappointment. Paint off the walls, tv entertainment system not working.
Lots of loud Brazilian guests with getto blasters at the pool. Staff did nothing. People with bare upper bodies at breakfast.
Where we are from, we call these places topless donutshops, in Brazil sounds like they call 'em "luxury hotels".
We are sure Hotel Gloria cleans up nice at some point after Carnaval. After all, they have a helipad on the roof, and guests who check-in via helicopter tend to like a clean room.
Related Stories:
· Hotel Gloria [TripAdvisor]
· Hotels in Brazil [HotelChatter]
by markj
0 Comments - Add Yours
