Plaza Sao Rafael Hotel

Being able to walk to nearby museums and places to eat was really convenient, and an Uber can get you elsewhere without much trouble. We had a lovely three-night stay and would definitely come back if we had the chance. Our rooms on the 15th floor were comfortable and quiet at night. The hotel was very clean and well maintained, and the front desk staff were helpful and nice. Breakfast had a good range of fruit, cheeses, different breads and cakes, juice, coffee, and water, and nothing disappointed us. The top-floor gym had enough equipment for our usual workouts on vacation, plus complimentary water. Nearby, the pool has an odd shape and isn't huge, but it's fine for a quick swim. The heated outdoor pool with bubbles was even better. Sitting there as the sun went down felt so peaceful, and it was one of the trip's highlights. You can use the pools and gym until 10 pm. After we'd left the room, housekeeping came through with fresh towels and bath soap. When we ordered food, the staff let us know when it arrived and held it for us to collect whenever it suited us.

What worked best was the staff. The people serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the concierge, and the workers in the hotel shops were all very friendly and pleasant. The Polar beer there was also phenomenally good. The room wasn't very large, and the beds weren't comfortable. The pool looked odd and wasn't big either. There were lots of bees flying around the sauna filter, possibly building a hive nearby. I was also confused about why ketchup was only available in packets, both at the downstairs buffet and the upstairs restaurant, rather than in a bottle. The hotel is in a busy downtown area with little space to park or drive in and out. I assume that's related to how the city is laid out. Whether you'll be satisfied probably depends on what you like. Bigger rooms and more comfortable beds would have made the stay much better.

It's a great venue for events, large or small. I went for an event but haven't stayed overnight because it's rather expensive. The location is good for visiting Porto Alegre's tourist spots during the day, though it doesn't feel very safe at night.

The room was comfortable and clean, and the stay was pleasant all around. The pool is mainly for swimming laps, but it's nice to have. Breakfast was okay. The valet service was good, though it wasn't included in our stay.