Fasano Boa Vista

The hotel’s architecture and decor are lovely, and its setting makes for an easy weekend escape from SP. It’s less than 1.5 h from the capital on a very good highway. Breakfast was delicious, with very nice staff, though they could be a little warmer and smile more. Our room was spacious and attractively minimalist. The basics were a different story. The toilet overflowed every day. Staff dealt with it quickly, but it kept happening, which is unacceptable at this level. Our balcony had just one chair, there were too few hangers, and the room had no iron or ironing board. The bellboy couldn’t explain how to call the front desk, then radioed them and gave me the wrong number, so I rang another guest’s room. We nearly missed our nephew’s wedding because our driver was held at the gate despite us giving the details three times. They also couldn’t iron my wife’s delicate dress. They were so worried about damaging it that we used their steamer and did it ourselves. Only a few people spoke English, which made things harder for foreign guests, especially under stress. Management handled the complaints promptly and appropriately, but they shouldn’t have arisen in the first place. I expect a flawless stay when paying that much at a Fasano hotel, and this one tarnished the brand for me. The breakfast team could be friendlier too. For me, the real priorities are staff training, attention to detail and capable management. Mistakes happen, even at excellent hotels, but these were basic, preventable issues.

For what this hotel charges, I expected more from both the facilities and the service. It’s a luxury property and a member of Leading Hotels of the World, so the value for money didn’t add up for me. The grounds and buildings are beautiful. We had a spacious room with a stunning view, and the great room lounge, pond and pool were all impressive. Service was friendly, but not as attentive as this price range calls for. We made tea on our first night, and during our full five day stay, housekeeping never replaced the used pot with a clean one. Some parts of the property are showing their age and need maintenance, though not in a charming, worn leather sort of way. The pool was lovely, but filled up with the hotel’s mid-week occupancy. I imagine finding a good spot on weekends could be difficult. The restaurant was uneven too. The penne vodka and minestrone were spectacular, while the arugula salad with pear and goat cheese was truly disappointing. With Fasano’s culinary tradition, that inconsistency surprised me.

We had a wonderful stay, though it comes at a high price that still felt fair. The hotel is beautiful, and the staff were cordial and helpful. If you have MasterCard Black, it’s worth using the benefits.

It’s an easy way to get away from the big city for a weekend, with lovely surroundings and roomy, comfortable accommodation. The bathrooms are large and marble. You can choose between suites with one king size bed and about 55sqm, or two floor studios of around 120sqm. There’s free wifi and pets up to 7kg are accepted. Facilities include a 50 meters outdoor pool, a Spa and a gym stadium. São Paulo is about 1 hour away by car. The price is steep by Brazilian standards, around USD 500/day, but I thought the stay was worth it. MasterCard clients can get special benefits when booking. The restaurant could be better. The menu hadn’t changed in a while and didn’t really fit the Fasano style in São Paulo.