Renaissance hotel Sao Paolo review: when you use points and sleep for free, it's hard to find yourself hurting
There are plenty of hotels in São Paulo, Brazil where you can sleep with points. Having to spend a few nights in a [...]
Brazil
Marriott
There are plenty of hotels in São Paulo, Brazil, where you can sleep with points. Needing to spend a few nights in one of the most populous cities in South America, I opted for the Renaissance, a hotel that belongs to the Marriott family.
Reservation
In this article:
I am not a Marriott fan, especially since from the next few months Will the cost of premium nights change, no longer using a fixed table depending on the category, but variable pricing that smacks of devaluation. However, I still have the status Gold thanks to my American Express Platinum And so I can take advantage of the status benefits.
Therefore, to burn a handful of points, I took advantage of this Category 5 hotel in the Marriott classification: it was priced lower than other lower category hotels at that time.
On balance, two nights in this hotel cost me. Only 22,500 Bonvoy points per night, for a room that had a cost of just over 210€ if paid cash.
Eventually I had to pay less than 5$ just to cover the tourist tax. But it is good to remember that unlike airlines, loyalty programs count award nights as qualifying nights for status renewal.
There are several ways to accumulate points. The first of course is to stay in the facilities and take advantage of the Promotions that allow you to collect lots of extra points, without spending 1 euro more. There is also the possibility of Transfer points from the Membership Rewards program to the Bonvoy program and use the points in this way To book stays around the world without paying.
Check-in
I arrived late in the evening directly from the airport in the midst of a summer storm.
The lobby was deserted, with only staff working to make changes to the bar area.
The receptionist greeted me and offered a glass of chilled sparkling wine, just what was needed to start the Brazilian evening. This is my first stay in this group brand, it is present in Italy with only one property in Tuscany and even in Europe there are few hotels of this family compared to the other brands. Very quick ritual procedures and five minutes later I was in my room on the 18th floor of the hotel.
Before letting me go, the attendant reminded me that my rate did not include breakfast and tried to sell me an upgrade to a room with access to the M Lounge and breakfast at the "modest" cost of 60$ per night. Of course, I declined because the cost is absolutely not worth the expense considering that the breakfast buffet is offered at 100 Reais, just over 16€.
The room
Perhaps the least beautiful thing about the hotel was my room. In the Marriott loyalty program they are Gold, status that is included in the annual fee of my American Express Platinum, it is a level that does not give much benefit, I was hoping for an upgrade but it did not come.
In the room, a little bit old, there is everything you would expect from such a hotel. Comfortable king bed with fluffy topper, 55" TV, desk and a sofa with a comfortable coffee table to work on the PC.
Large bathroom with bathtub and shower, all standard and all with several years on its shoulders.
The view in this hotel, as is often the case in these cities, is nothing. From the room I could see towers and on a mega LED light sign.
Services
In contrast to the rooms, the common areas are pleasant and definitely more modern.
On the ground floor, opposite the lobby are the busy bar and sushi restaurant.
Past the elevator area, there is a lounge to chat or wait for friends.
The breakfast room, also on the ground floor, is on a veranda, an excellent choice both stylistically and functionally. Natural light illuminates the entire area and is perfect for starting the morning off on the right footing.
On the second floor are the spa and a very large gymnasium that I believe is also open to non-hotel guests.
There is then a swimming pool, which is quite sad, both in size and location. Let's say it's good just for a dip, maybe after the sauna in the spa.
Food & Beverage
Breakfast is within the norm. Classic buffet with classic items. Plus the usual station for making eggs, omelets and omelets to order.
However, there is nothing typical or "local," nothing that cannot also be found in New York or Milan.
The bar, judging by how many people frequent it, must be good; I have not tried it. However, I tried the room service and sushi at the in-house restaurant. Again, all done well, but nothing that makes you say, "wow, I would go back there."
In conclusion
Twenty-two thousand five hundred points well spent, considering that in Italy with those points you don't book in any facility of this category. It didn't completely convince me, though, and honestly, given the amount of facilities in this city, I'll probably try a different hotel next time I pass through here.
This is just one of many reviews you can read on our site, covid and restrictions permitting. Every Wednesday we publish a review of a lounge airport, while every Friday you can read the review of one of our flights or a hotel where we stayed.
Pro
- The common spaces
- The price in points
Against
- The room is old
- He has no sight
- The pool is sad