Holiday Inn Fortaleza by IHG

It was my first time in Brazil and I had a good experience. The staff were nice, the room was clean, and the free breakfast was amazing, with lots of food to choose from. I had a good time overall. They should pay more attention to the condition of the rooms, though. My hairdryer was coming off the wall, the AC was leaking and took them four hours to fix, the safe needed a new battery, the closet door had come off its track, and the toilet was loose and needed to be bolted down. A good preventive maintenance program would make the stay much better.

The location and the view are great, but you can get those at any of the hotels in Praia do Meireles. I've stayed at other hotels and wouldn't choose this one again. During our six nights, about 40% of the showers we used had no hot water, which reception confirmed. Check-in meant a 45-minute line, with no apology or complimentary drink. When I complained, the woman gave me a bottle of water. The soundproofing was awful. We could hear the couple in the room below having sex as if they were in our bed. When we ordered food from outside, the hotel wouldn't provide regular plates and cutlery, only disposable ones. The soap and shampoo weren't replenished. They ask guests to conserve water by reusing towels, but the room's glasses are made of Styrofoam.

The rooms are clean and comfortable, the beds are good, and the daily cleaning service is excellent. The buffet breakfast in the restaurant is very good, much better than at US hotels. There's a wide selection of fresh fruit, omelets, fried eggs, different breads, and more. The hotel is very good for a reasonable price, and the staff and restaurant servers are extremely polite and helpful. The kitchenette is very basic. There's no microwave or usable refrigerator, and the tiny fridge is stocked with drinks and candies that cost extra if you have them.

I feel uncomfortable with the lobby security guard watching my every move. It has the opposite effect and makes me feel unsafe. The cameras inside, especially around the pool, make me wonder whether the person watching them is a real pervert. Keep your children fully clothed. Don't just believe what they tell you, use your eyes. They can do whatever they want with images of your kids. So bad!