Renaissance Sao Paulo [Master Thread]
 

Hi all -- I can't believe no one has written about this hotel as it seems quite popular amongst business travellers in Sao Paulo. I have an upcoming business trip and have a choice of hotels with the Renaissance Sao Paulo being one of them. I would love to hear some updated reviews of this hotel. I have no status with Marriott (Plat with SPG and Diamond with Hilton). Is it worth my while to try to get a comp. status match? I will be able to book this hotel on a corporate $150/night rate.

Property Details

FWIW I will have to stay there for about 13-15 days. Also, a quick scan of the first few pages in this thread didn't reveal any promos so I will also ask if any promos will be valid Feb-March 2005.

Thanks for your replies!

bump, anyone? :confused:

Triple points if paid with Amex

I stayed there in December and I'd recommend it. My stay was short, it was a day room in order to catch a midnight flight. I enjoyed the lounge, fitness facilities, and the spa for a massage. The high speed internet isn't free and required a technician to come in the room to set up the hardware. I understand it's a good business location but I didn't get a chance to venture out. My corp rate was less than $100. :)

Thats a really good corp. rate! For my dates in mid to late Feb, I see minimum rates of $240/nt. on the marriott website; I was able to book my corporate rate at $150/nt. Still high season I guess with the post-carnaval tourists.

The location is nice in the Jardines area and you can walk to the many nearby bars and night clubs of which many are gay/mixed.

There are quite a few airline employees staying at the hotel because AA, BA, SAA park their flight crews there.

When I was checking in around noon my room was not ready because the hotel was completely full. I decided to take advantage of the fitness facilities and the executive lounge while waiting.

The executive lounge does not have wireless Internet but rather a room with multiple docking stations and wireless HP All-In-One that I couldn't get work wirelessly but I decided to try my luck using an USB cable and everything work perfectly.

FYI the high speed Internet was really slow and I did hear some other people complaining about it as well. It was adequate for browsing but not for downloading software updates etc.

The evening spread was nice and they were more than eager to mix drinks for you.

I would happily return if I could get the $100 corporate rate that one of the earlier poster was referring to.

Renaissance Bus from CGH
 

Does any one know how the free shuttle works from Congohas airport to the Renaissance. We are 3. We will land at GRU but one needs to go to CGH and we thought we will all take a taxi to CGH and the 2 of us can take the renaissance free shuttle to the hotel. Any info on the bus ?

Regular taxi from CGH to Renaissance was somewhere between $10 to $15 when I used it last month. The current taxi rate from GRU to Renaissance is about $40.

I'd like an update on this property if any of you have been there receintly

I'm going in Dec 07 for my first trip to brazil.

I'm Plat, if that matters.

What kind of room should I request or expect?

Has the internet improved?

Is the best way to the hotel still a taxi??

Billy

As a Plat you will get lounge access. The lounge is very nice and they have quality free liquor in the evening. I have been there multiple times but have never received a suite upgrade. Overall the hotel seem to be very busy.

You can get FREE internet if you login in the lounge first. Then the system recognizes your MAC address and you can enjoy free internet at your room as well.

At the airport you just use the airport taxi that takes you to the hotel. They have set rates and I don't know what the current one is. Probably around $50 or so.

I always get cheaper rates to the airport when my Brazilian friend negotiates with the taxi drivers during my stay there and then we just call them to pick me up from the hotel.

Any Recent Experiences?
 

Additional comments about this hotel would be appreciated.
How is the fitness center?
Is the lounge open on weekends?

The hotel is very very nice. My last stay as a Platinum I was upgraded to a very nice suite (Standford) with 2 flat screen tv's. One in the living area and another in the sleeping area. Fantastic view of the city. Location of the hotel is very safe and the service is excellent for a South American hotel. Fitness centre and spa is very modern, clean and well equipped. Lounge is located on the 23rd. floor. It was open on the weekends but I was also given the choice of breakfast in the restaurant.

Absolutely, I wouldn't advise anything other than a taxi. I had the airport send a car for me.

A suite upgrade for PLT at this hotel is an exception. I have been there maybe ten or more times and never received a suite as an upgrade.

other Sao Paulo options
 

I stayed a this ren in 2005, and it was one of my best stays ever.

but their rates were high in early dec 2007, so i tried a different ( very nearby) chain that my local co-workers reccomended. and it was very nice too at 40% of cost of ren.

http://www.bluetree.com.br/hoteis_e_...o&numhotel=229