When you book any hotel and end up among the fans: review Holiday Inn Manaus
For some time now, IHG has become my backup sign, when I am traveling and cannot find options in [...]
Brazil
For some time now IHG has become my backup sign., when I'm traveling and can't find options in Hilton and Marriott, I try here sooner than with Melià. The reason is simple with the two main chains I try to maintain and renew the status, at least until I will achieve the "lifetime" membership, so 9 times out of 10 I understand here by choice. Then it may happen that due to economic issues or lack of alternatives I decide to look elsewhere. Such is the case with this stay in the heart of the Amazon, Hilton and Marriott were not forthcoming and this was the only option available.
In this article:
When I looked for where stay in Manaus this was the only chance I found to sleep while accumulating points and exploiting status, not that there is much to exploit in a Holiday Inn.
Manaus, the capital of the great state of Amazonas
I ended up in this city because I booked the world's longest flight aboard an A321lr, exactly the route operated by TAP Portugal from Lisbon via Belem, a total of more than 12h aboard the plane that is redrawing the boundaries of commercial aviation, allowing it to reach distances unthinkable with single-aisle machines. I had 36 hours to spend in the city, but not enough to go and see the nature around it. The opera house is really beautiful, like the history it represents. The rest is a city of no interest at all.
Reservation
I took advantage of the beginning of the year promotion which gave double bonus points on every stay, not being interested in status I simply looked at ways to spend as little as possible while trying to accumulate as many points as possible.
Location
The hotel is located in a commercial area, next to a mall about 20 minutes away from the airport. I get around in Brazil exclusively using Uber, never or almost never walking, also because from this hotel walking just to the mall is possible.
Check-in
When I got out of the car I knew something was going on: barriers, police, fans, military. It was almost difficult to get through and get to the lobby.
Inside, the situation was not much different; to get to the reception counter I had to pass through two wings of fans, namely those who were guests at the hotel and the only ones allowed to enter the facility. Arriving at the check-in desk, I asked what was going on and then commented, "Usually teams go to top hotels, not a Holiday Inn..."
The room
This hotel offered what I expected, which was an older establishment, but one that tries to set the tone.
90s room, open view of infinity and the only fashionable touch was the glass window from the bathroom to the room (and vice versa).
Only nice note about the bathroom, which had both shower and tub.
Pleasant in-room amenities, in addition to the classic iron, stocked minibar, kettle, and snacks for a fee.
Also appreciated was the handwritten welcome card.
Like the saucer of fruit and strawberry candy.
Rooftop pool
On the top floor is the hotel's outdoor swimming pool. Given the darkness and silence around immediately I didn't notice that there was no roof, then the arrival of the team bus was enough to make me realize that I was under the stars.
Breakfast
On the first morning I had breakfast with the fans and half a team from Vasco de Gama, which was the visiting team, while the team had commandeered the conference area of the facility. Classic buffet, 90s also like the whole hotel.
Tastes so-so, but considering that breakfast is included in the room, one should not complain.
In conclusion
For two nights the hotel cost me about 1400 reais, roughly 220€. Expensive for the location, but having caught the two "hottest" nights of the month given the presence of so many fans could have been worse. Given that the city does not have many other alternatives it was also one of the few chances to have the certainty that a chain offers its guests.
Pro
- Nothing to report
Against
- Elderly
- Breakfast
- Price