ibis Sao Paulo Paulista

The internet was the one real downside. It was slow and unreliable: a speed test showed 20 Mbps download, but streaming video buffered constantly, and even listening to audio was a pain. It made it hard to figure out what to do. Aside from that, I really enjoyed my week at the Ibis on Av Paulista. The location at Av Paulista and Av Reboucas is incredible for a tourist. Restaurants, bars, and shops at all price levels are an easy walk away. Augusta has nightlife a few blocks north, while south toward Oscar Freire you'll find fancier shops, groceries, and more places to eat. Just know there's a steep hill on the way back up to Av Paulista from Oscar Friere. The neighborhood stays lively all day with office workers, local residents, and people out enjoying the nightlife. It's also very convenient for the Metro, right where the yellow and green lines meet, with lots of bus and BRT routes nearby. My room was a good size for one person, the bed was comfortable, and it stayed quiet despite being close to such a busy street. I liked the TV and learned to pronounce Portugese words by watching local news. The front desk employees were extremely helpful, many spoke very good English, and the shower had a nice supply of hot water.

The location is good, but everything else was basic or missing, with so many hassles that the stay was uncomfortable. The shower kept flipping from boiling to cold every five seconds, the air conditioner wasn't strong enough, and check-in, checkout, and luggage storage were all very slow. Staff couldn't suggest nearby shops or restaurants. Beds were mediocre at best, and the buffet food was disgusting. I went once and didn't return. You get what you pay for, yet this still felt overpriced.

We had no privacy in our assigned room because its window looked straight into a company dining area across the street. We had to keep the curtains shut and the room dark. I explained the problem several times to the receptionist, but she wouldn't help. A different staff member eventually sorted out a room change politely and without any trouble. The contrast showed poor judgment and a lack of customer service and tact from the first receptionist.

The airport van pulls up right at the hotel entrance, which is handy, but you need to wait on the sidewalk by the kiosk since it doesn't stop for even a minute. Inside, the staff were always willing to help. When they couldn't give me an envelope, they still found another solution. The room was comfortable, and breakfast, cleanliness, service, and especially the location were all excellent. My only real frustration was that the sheer windows made it hard to open the curtains. An extra sheer curtain would help. Great hotel otherwise.