We stayed for about two weeks. Of those two weeks, I only really spent three full days at the hotel. The rest of the time was spent traveling for US soccer matches during the world cup or taking a side trip to Rio de Janeiro. Pros: -Right on the beach -Within a 5-10min walk of Praia shopping center (with the tents and Habib's) -The entrance is gated (although anyone could really drive in) -Air conditioned room -Sliding door and balcony (able to sit on balcony) -Free breakfast buffet included w/our stay -Can swim up to the bar & order a drink -Strong jets in the whirlpool. INCREDIBLE VIEW! -Filtered water spigot in the gym for water bottle re-filling -Fridge in the room -Safety deposit box in the room (R$2/day) -Someone is always willing to assist with luggage. -Staff was friendly & there was usually at least one person who could speak English -Can hook up your iPod to the outside speaker -Outdoor shower/water spigot available when you come up the stairs from the beach -Overall the restaurant food's pretty decent. My favorite was the chicken, rice, and vegetable soup, which easily can feed 2 people. Cons: -To get to the beach, the walkway's unfinished, so you have to trudge through piles of sand. -Everything is tiled, so hallway noise echoes like crazy -Gym is pathetic (20lb weights and an unsafe treadmill) -Sauna doesn't have a vent or heating element -Whirlpool outside is not heated -Housekeeping just replaces towels and makes the bed. No sheets are replaced, the floor isn't swept, and the mirror isn't cleaned. -The cold breakfast beverages all taste funny. -Dinner one night in the restaurant took 45 minutes to get our first course (soup). -The towels are stained and have seen better days. -Spotty Wifi sometimes, even though a Wifi pole (green poles with boxes on top) was right outside our room. -No elevator. If you are handicapped, ask for a room on the 2nd floor (which is actually the same floor as the front desk). -ANYTHING in the room, e.g. snacks or anything in the fridge, is a charge if consumed. -Towel rack is in the shower (so your towels will get wet if you keep them hung there). -No disposable cups for hot beverages, e.g. tea, and forget trying to ask for this. -The toilet paper actually consists of napkins, and if housekeeping gives you another pack, good luck trying to get it in the dispenser. -The vegetable cream soup was terrible, and in contrast to the other soup, you only get a small cup. Tips: -If you need more towels, ask the front desk. They have pool towels that aren't stained, and they're about the same size as the bath towels. -If you are about to run out of something, bring the item to housekeeping because they don't speak English. -Stay on top of the bartenders if you request a mixed drink at the pool bar. -A taxi to the airport costs anywhere from R$110-$155. -Ask well in advance for a taxi because it take up to 30 minutes. read more

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