Subtopic	Posts		Updated
	Archive 01	50		2005/04/02, 11:25 pm

Flhobbyer: The softphone did function. The sound just got crackly enough to make it unfeasible for business; okay for talking to friends most of the time.

I did use the low bandwidth setting, but bandwidth is not the only thing that affects the quality of the vonage audio signal. There is something related to how well synchronized the internet connection is that is probably more significant; somewhere in the help screens on the vonage website they explain this problem, which cannot be predicted well from the bandwidth of the connection and which also isn't vonage's fault, but that of the internet provider. Indeed, I used CNET's bandwidth tester and there is plenty of bandwidth on the connection at the Mercure-Jardins, so it is something else that is causing the signal degradation. Like I say, I will need to use the Vonage box next time to see whether the sound is any better with it.

So, using my acutal vonage box (router/hub) and a regular telephone may allow me to use Vonage where otherwise my softphone might not function well enough for business calls? For example, in Cali at the Sheraton Four Points, my inroom broadband allows me to read web pages fine, talk to friends more or less, but for the work day I need to hit the cyber cafe a few blocks away. I should try taking my box and a phone with me next time, huh?

It is just an hypothesis, based on the fact I have had better luck when using the vonage box than the softphone. I do not yet know whether this is because I just happen to have used the softphone at places with inferior internet connections or whether the box is more resistant to bad connections. If I get it figured out, I will post accordingly. In the meantime if others have any experiences that bear on this issue, please let us know.

I'm in the Mercure Trianon right now and the safes work great and are big enough for a laptop. You just have to read the instructions.

Free internet in the rooms for your laptop too.

Everyday, I left reais on the tv stand for the maids, but they never took them.

Actually, at the Mercure Jardins, they sometimes change the batteries on the safes but neglect to enter the re-set code, which must be done before the safe will then work. The person who installs new batteries does not have the re-set code, which is why this happens. So, while in some instances the safes may seem not to work because someone has not read the instructions, in my case, and in two separate instances, the safe did not work because the person with the re-set code hadn't bothered to enter it. Once she did, the safe worked fine.

I suspect the same may apply to the procedures they follow at the Mercure Trianon.

If you want to tip the maids, leave the Reais on the bed. I do.

Hello,

I am making my first trip to Sao Paulo in March and will be meeting up with one of my favorita's i frequently see in Rio.. I will only be in town for 3 days. I am looking for a high end Hotel where i can be comfortable with a garota being there full time. I'd like to be in an area near the great restaurants and boites. After reading all of your reports it seems as if Hilton Morumbi should be my choice. Appreciate any feedback you have. thanks - LB

I stayed in the Gran Estan Plaza in the same area last summer and it was very nice. My room was a bit small. Staff was great with both me and my namorada.

Another possibility is the new Sonesta. It's not that far away and they were offering a great opening rate.

Problem with Hilton Morumbi is it is out of the way. I like the Gran Melia Mofarrez, on Alameda Santos just off of Avenida Paulista, although I haven't brought a garota to my room there (the conventional wisdom is all hotels in SP are garota friendly).

You probably would get the best rates booking on their website: www.solmelia.com. Once there, you look for Sao Paulo, Centre.

Luckyb, other high end American chain hotels you should consider are the Renaissance or the Intercontinental.

Hopefully you qualify for free up-grades to suites and have lounge access. Those perks make staying hotels real comfortable!

I only get those at the Hilton, but it is a way out.

Thanks for the feedback..

Hi,
I'm spending a couple of nights in SP in March. My company is paying so price is no problem. Whats a good 5 star hotel? Obviously it needs to be visitor friendly.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Peter

Two hotels to consider are the Unique Hotel and the Emiliano. You would have to ask (or maybe someone on the board knows) whether they are guest friendly, although as stated earlier the conventional wisdom is all hotels in SP are.

Other than those two, the rest are covered in the thread above: Renaissance, Gran Melia Mofarrez, Hilton Morumbi, Intercontinental, Hyatt, and perhaps a couple of others. I would put them at four stars on a five star rating scale though, with the Emiliano and possibly Unique (I haven't stayed at the latter) a step above.

Thanks for this info. My general experience is that the classier the hotel, the more tolerant they are of 'less than classy' activities! I'll check out the two you mentioned but if anyone can confirm if they are guest friendly that would be appreciated.

Thanks
Peter

Peterknows,

The Renaissance is a great hotel, good club upstairs for dancing and such, and they are garota friendly, with one exception: you are not allowed to bring two girls in at the same time.

If you want two girls, then you will have to go to a love hotel, and most all the girls know where they are.

Most of the major hotels in Sao Paulo have a policy of only one guest.

Moondog,

Do you know if the Blue Tree Paulista Hotel, on Rua Peixto Gomide, is garota frinedly??? Thanks

Moondog "Most of the major hotels in Sao Paulo have a policy of only one guest."

Thats ok, I'm only there for a couple of days. I plan on being really naughty elsewhere...

Thanks
Peter

Oblio,

I am not familiar with that hotel, but I'm sure they are. Give them a call and ask if guests are allowed.

Moondog,
Thank you

Well I've just booked myself into the Emilliano for next month, it looks like the best hotel around, either that or they just have a very good website. I hope its guest friendly! I've only made a small booking deposit if I need to change.

Thanks
Peter

(Message edited by PeterKnows on February 24, 2005)

I ended up staying at the Blue Tree Towers in Ibirapuera.. It cost R $ 180 per night. It was certainly out of the way but close to the park which made for good afternoon walks to get the hangover away. I did not do intensive mongering and was with a favorita so it really didnt matter too much. Room was small but the bed was excellent by Brazilian standards.. Will certainly be the last time i stay at this hotel but was adequate for others looking to stay.

The place where you should go with your dream girl. One of the best hotels I have ever been:
Hotel Unique
Av. Brigadeiro Luis Antonio, 4700
Sao Paulo
55 11 3055 4700
www.hotelunique.com.br

250 until 3000 US per night

got this link from a friend, never been there but looks great:

Aarapacis Residenza
Rua Viradoura, 30 Itaim
Sao Paulo
55 11 3707 5400
http://www.arapacis.com.br/english/photos.htm

This one is great:

Staybridge Suites Sao Paulo
Rua Joaquim Floriano, 466
Sao Paulo
55 11 3706 6600
www.staybridge.com.br

about 100 US per night

The mercure on bela vista has a guest fee but fortunately only R$20. They checked girls id to make sure over 18.

I'll be in SP on Friday night the 26th after a long week of business. I would love to find a great, classy hotel that is "friendly" to having a guest or two. Any suggestions?

Paul

Walnuts,

Here's three I have stayed at of varying levels.

Mercure Jardins. Roughly 80 US per night. Great hotel in a great area.

Renaissance Hotel. A step up from Mercure and just up the street. Approx 150 US per night.

Hotel Unique. A bit of a taxi ride to Mercure/Renaissance area. One of the nicest hotels I have stayed in my life. Very hip and the rooms were built for sex. Very modern and one of the best roof top bars in SP. Approx 195 per night if you can get it on special.

Good luck.

I agree with all three hotel recommendations, although you may have to work to get the Renaissance and Unique for the prices Surferr3 lists. You get a break on the Renaissance rates with an AAA card on the Marriott website but it is still tough to get it much below $200 a night. For the Mercure, try www.mercure.com or www.accor.com; particularly over a weekend you can probably get the hotel for less than $80 a night. The Mercure Jardims is about a block from the Renaissance so you still have the option of hanging out at the bar or club there.

Can you bring whores to Hotel Unique?

I don´t know what the guest policy is at Unique. Emiliano, which IMHO is the only hotel in SP in Unique´s class, does allow guests, at least according to one person I know who stayed there. I would be surprised if Unique did not allow guests, given that it is commonplace practice at SP hotels including the higher-end ones, but it would be worth asking before reserving a room there.

Sorry for the late reply.

Unique is definately guest friendly. In addition the staff was very accommadating in regards to calling the list of internet girls I salivated over. A 10.00 US tip went a long way and they were more than willing to come to my room and call the girls one by one until I had a date.

I met a girl at Bahamas who settled for 300 reals take out for 2 hours.

I told her I was staying at Unique. She said she'd come for free if she could spend the night. When we got back time wasn;t an issue so we went to the rooftop bar and had a few drinks and had a great time hanging out. She loved the place. I have read reviews from magazines that Unique is THE place for Paulista's to see and be seen.

Of course I paid the chica but regardless it was an awesome night. Spendy, yes but nice for an occasional splurge.

That is interesting about the Bahamas girl who said she would stay for free all night at Unique. Usually, I am concerned when I stay at expensive hotels that the girls will try to charge me more owing to the perception I must have money. I guess it can go either way.

Surfer3: I should add I'm a bit jealous about your staying at Unique. The closest I have come is hanging at their bar and eating a dinner up there. I suppose though I don't merit anyone's deep sympathy as I did stay one night at Hotel Emiliano.

La,

I've alway's liked the Mercure jardins based on many (including your reviews) but the beds were brutal on my back.

I try like hell to get the best hotel at the best rate and found the Unique at 195 (about a year ago) and booked it in a flash. I see their rates now are off the chart.

My next trip to SP I may stay there a night but may also venture to the Intercontinental based RA status I just got bumped to.

i plan to stay at Unique but would rather have have two girls when i date these love hotels are they close to these hotels where you all have stayed and are they safe.