TRYP by Wyndham Sao Paulo Paulista Paraiso

A pretty good hotel for a competitive price. The room was mostly clean, and the shower pressure was the best I’ve had in a long time. Valet service was nice. I didn’t get breakfast, and the decor in the rooms was plain, but this isn’t a luxury hotel, so I guess that’s normal. The bathroom smelled like a bathroom, but what can you expect?

I checked out early because the cleaning was so poor. When we arrived in the evening, there was an ugly stain on the floor beside the bed, and the shampoo was empty. We left both for the room cleaning the next day, but when we came back the stain was still there and the shampoo hadn’t been refilled. That made the place feel filthy. We asked the hotel for a solution, but so far nobody has contacted us. The hotel is in a great location, in a neighborhood that felt relatively safe and close to Avenida Paulista. The room looked new and nice otherwise. I realize hygiene can be subjective, and it may have been one particular cleaning staff member, so I’m not giving it one star. But for a three-star chain hotel, this is a definite no for me.

My wife and I had flown more than 16 hours for a wedding, then spent over four extra hours waiting because we were told there were no rooms and that we’d be first to get one. That turned out to be a lie: couples who arrived after us got rooms while we were still waiting in the lobby. Completely unprofessional.

The rooms felt cramped for two, with no closet, a tiny bathroom, and that stripped-down modern hotel look. The bed was another letdown: a very hard mattress, rough sheets, and a top sheet that wasn’t big enough to stay over the whole mattress. The towels were unusually worn and rough too. I was traveling alone, so the small room was manageable, but I wouldn’t choose this place on a return to São Paulo. The price is very competitive, especially for the neighborhood, and that earns it an extra star from me. The breakfast buffet was surprisingly good, with fresh juices and lots of choices. The area felt safe, with restaurants and shops nearby and a metro stop not too far away. Front desk staff were friendly, I had no trouble with the Wi-Fi despite other reviews, and the shower pressure was seriously strong. If you’re traveling solo and find a good rate, you could do worse. For me, though, it’s really a three-star stay.