Hotel Senac Ilha do Boi

The rooms were spacious, clean, and good, and the breakfast was great. There's also a pool. The hotel is tucked away, which makes it feel private, and I found the location good in that sense. But you can't walk to a shop or anywhere else in Vitoria, so you'll need a cab to get around. Reception staff speak Portuguese, not English, which could disappoint foreign guests. Even so, it's a very good hotel. I recommend it and would definitely come back if I get the chance to travel to Vitoria again.

The views were good, but the room smelled. Check-in was extremely disappointing. My family had picked us up from the airport, and I'd packed gifts for them, but the front desk wouldn't let them inside the hotel even for a minute to collect them. They said it was hotel policy, yet food delivery people could walk in without anyone checking their IDs. I had to haul all the bags and boxes into the lobby and hand out the gifts there. It was embarrassing and such a letdown. Getting around the island is difficult too. I'll never stay here again, and as a Local Travel Guide, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

The pool is incredible, and the scenery is stunning. The rooms are modern and comfortable. Still, the staff felt cold and a bit arrogant, and their responses to my requests weren't helpful. My room's air conditioning was very loud and hard to adjust. I asked for another blanket and got one that was clean but unattractive and out of step with the hotel's design. The spare blanket in the room was poor quality, like an old towel. The sauna was so hot it felt potentially unsafe, and there was no emergency button. I raised the temperature problem, but it wasn't fixed during my stay. You need a car or Uber to reach most of Vitória's attractions, so it may not suit someone wanting to explore the city's food and culture in depth. For a short, inspirational getaway, Senac could work.

The beach view and breakfast were nice, and the price was cheap. The rooms are dated, with old furniture and an old TV. It's okay, but nothing special. If you want somewhere modern, new, or luxurious, this isn't the place.