Palace Praia Hotel

The lift was out of order for almost two days, which is a real problem if you have mobility needs or have had one too many and need to climb four flights of stairs. Even so, we had a very pleasant stay, with super friendly staff, a fantastic view from the pool, and easy access to shops and restaurants. I’d definitely come back.

I can’t recommend the hotel after the way it handled an extra charge at the end of our holiday. It said we had damaged a sheet, even though we’d only used washable pens in the room, then tried to charge us RS125 for a cheap single sheet worth less than half that if new. Reception said they used poor detergent to make the sheets last longer. I asked to speak with the manager, but they never came out or followed up by email. The issue wasn’t resolved, and I’ve since seen other reviews describing what seems to be the same scam. Hotel management should know guests expect routine cleaning to be covered by the daily charge. Dirt isn’t damage that deserves an extra fee. Apart from this, most staff were friendly and helpful, though they couldn’t arrange a taxi for six people and luggage, so I had to do it myself. On one day, the cleaners also left the bedroom untouched, didn’t empty the bins, and didn’t change the towels. The sea-facing rooms have a great view, but some side-facing rooms don’t, even though the price is the same, so check what you’ve been assigned. The rooms are worn and could use refurbishment, but they’re functional. The small pool is lovely, with seating and bar service, and especially good for small children. You can go straight from the pool to the beach.

The staff were great with us, taking time to translate everything into English, and the front desk booked us a car for 110 reals a day. Room service was also excellent. Our room was spacious, the beds were comfortable, the bathroom was clean, and the beachfront location was fantastic. But the place is very old and dated, and I personally won’t come back. We’re from Canada and this was our first trip to Brazil. I’d say Canadian five-star hotels are more like three-star ones here. We booked through Hotwire Hotrate, where you only learn the hotel’s name after paying, and both Hotwire and the hotel website gave a misleading impression. The photos and social media made it look like a palace, which it isn’t. There were tiny bugs in the room, and I woke up with very itchy little spots on my left hand. The shower drain clogged while I was washing my hair. The water took a while to warm up and never got very hot. The bathroom and sink handles were really old, and the air conditioning worked well but was old and loud. We didn’t use the TV, but it looked old and useless. The hotel Wi-Fi was extremely slow. The buffet was just okay, nothing stood out. The pool is very small and could get crowded on a sunny day, with too few chairs. We’re here until Mar 8th 2019, which is a shame since everyone is here for Carnival. I’d suggest it for younger people mainly coming to party or enjoy Carnival, or for a couple who only needs somewhere to sleep and doesn’t mind hostels. I was definitely disappointed.

The people made this stay feel like home. Months before arriving, I went back and forth with Jasmine about whether to book a one-bedroom with full ocean views and two balconies or a side view, and I chose the front-facing room. Fabiana greeted me at the front desk with a warm smile and wonderful hospitality. I was in town for a work event and needed a car to make several trips to central Florianópolis. Fabiana arranged it with Sergio at Maestro, who I highly recommend. By the next morning I had a cute little red Fiat, and Sergio later drove me to the airport in it when it was sadly time to leave. The service was the best. The room was beautiful, perhaps more space than I needed on my own, but I was glad to have it. I loved the views and little kitchenette, and the Jacuzzi bathtub looking out over the ocean was a highlight. The full buffet breakfast was delicious, and the wine selection was really nice. The white sandy beach was perfect, and I even took a little sand home. The sweet little town felt warm and inviting. I have nothing bad to say about the hotel. If I ever return, this is where I’ll stay. Thank you so much, Palace Praia, for exceeding my expectations and making me feel truly at home.