Finishing up a mixed stay here.
We were supposed to stay at the Fontecruz and Marriott moved us to the Marriott 2 days out. One day out, a room at this property opened up so we rebooked.
like others said, arrival is visually stunning. Joao, who met us at the door, was very nice and friendly, and we developed a joke throughout the stay that he seemed to be the only one working at the property.
Check in was extremely cold. The agent barely spoke a word to us, and 3 other employees were joking around at the desk.
Joao escorted us to the room, where the keys didn't work. When we got inside, there was a welcome amenity for another guest. Joao called down to confirm it was the right room but no one answered the phone at the front desk so he had to keep trying.
After Joao left, we realized there was no soap. There was a make your own port tonic cocktail welcome. Some of the furniture was stained
The "exclusive" room that awards book into is fairly small- particularly the bathroom.There is no counter on the sink, so they have a sliding piece of stone over the drain. Hard to describe but the toilet room is not where you'd think it would be, but kind of down the foyer from the shower and sink.
It has a balcony which is nice, but unlike most of the rooms at the hotel, it doesn't face anything. . Joao came up to help with the fireplace on the balcony.
Housekeeping was extremely loud in the morning.
We asked for late checkout and were told to call back again. 1:15 was the latest we could get. At checkout, someone else had charged a nice meal to our room.
Maybe we had a bad staff experience. Was frustrating that we ended up using a 50k certificate to stay here, but that's Marriotts fault for not properly handling the deflagging of the Fontecruz and refusing to treat customers well. On a cash stay, you at least get breakfast with a beautiful view. But no elite recognition whatsoever.
On location, I actually think it's great. Within blocks of all of Principle Real and Bairro Alto, which are some of the most charming and interesting areas of the city.