Windsor Barra Hotel

The rooftop pool has wonderful beach views, and the meeting rooms were very good, with good food served during the meetings. The location is excellent too. The guest rooms are fairly standard and functional, but the air conditioning didn't work very well and there was no coffee maker. Room service could bring morning coffee for about six dollars, though a kettle or coffee maker seems like a small, reasonable thing to provide. It was a very good stay, just short of a true five-star experience and with a few things that could have been better.

The room had plenty of space, though it was a bit sparse. The shower was great, large, hot, and with strong water pressure. Service was friendly throughout. The front desk was a little slow, but that might just be a difference in culture or expectations, so I don't want to judge too harshly. The warmth of Brazilians comes through at Windsor Barra.

The location is fabulous, and the breakfast buffet was excellent in its presentation, quality, and range of choices. Staff were helpful too. Our room felt worn from use, and the toilet was clogged, which was a real letdown. It was repaired the following day, but that wasn't a welcoming start. Housekeeping also left a dirty sheet in place until we specifically asked for it to be changed. During our few days there, two of the four elevators were constantly out of order, so waits got long and annoying, especially around mealtimes.

We spent a week here in October, and it was a very affordable place in a great location across from the beach. The breakfast buffet and lobby bar were excellent, and the rooftop bar's food and drinks were good. The pool has a great view, though the water was a little chilly. Room service steak was delicious, and there was a great wine list. The gym is small but works fine. I had a spacious, well-equipped suite, but it felt dated and worn, and the bath was a bit tired. Check-in was painfully slow, and at first they couldn't find my reservation, which was disheartening. There were lots of security staff just standing around, and it was kind of fun to stare them down. I'd recommend the hotel.