Slightly less than mediocre. I would have given one star if the breakfast hadn't been serviceable.
Firstly - This quality in a hotel is typical for Brasil, at least I'm finding so this trip. All the hotels I've been in over the last 2 weeks have been mediocre to worse. Secondly, I'm traveling for business, not pleasure - slightly different requirements for a hotel. Mainly I need 3 things:
1. Quiet - Windsor gets a D on this. First I checked into a room facing the beach on the 3rd floor, badly needing a few hours of sleep before lobby call for work. I immediately opened the windows because the slightly musty smelling AC was blasting. After the room had acclimated, I closed the windows and they wouldn't quite close all the way (everything is a bit worn in this hotel), leaving a large gap at the top of the windows. I could clearly hear the cars zooming by on the street below, conversations, etc. Went down to the desk and asked for another room, up higher, where the windows would close. The front desk guy told me he would send someone up to look at the windows. Knowing well that the problem would not be resolved, I reverted to "can I simply get a different room?" No, they'll send someone up. I waited about 10 minutes, went back downstairs, asked again, again got the jerkaround. After the 3rd time, a maid showed up, looked at the window, mumbled something and walked out. 10 more minutes, down to the desk, etc. Finally they gave me a room on the 7th floor, where I could still hear the street noise but it was consistent enough that I thought I could probably sleep. Relieved, I laid down. Seconds later a gaggle of giggly gals in the adjoining room start up giggling, LOUD, and persistent. After an hour or so they go out, slamming their door. I start to drift off; all of a sudden it sounds like someone's moving furniture around upstairs, which goes on for another half hour or so. Finally I gave up, exhausted. Take away - the walls, floors and windows of this hotel are cheap and thin. It feels like a youth hostel.
2. A good, comfortable bed. The beds are OK. not the best, but serviceable. B+ on that.
3. Hot water and a good shower or tub. D on this. I ran the water forever. It never got hot, just lukewarm. Fine if it's a hot beach day, but not good for soothing the aches and pains of 2 weeks of hard travel.
Other notes - the breakfast as I said is serviceable. The coffee is pretty bad, like everywhere in Brasil, but at least I was able to make the waiter bring me a cappuccino that didn't have any of that nonsense they usually add - sugar, cinnamon, or chocolate, for god's sake.
The room service dinner I'm eating as I write is a mixed bag - the steamed veggies are fine, the rice and black beans are simple, but the grilled chicken, *again like EVERYWHERE in Brasil* is a salt bomb of epic proportions. It's really a shame cause they have great grilling skills, but they always use WAY TOO MUCH SALT. The other night I was working after a meal in Belo Horizonte and I found myself gnashing my teeth as if I had done a massive line of blow, when in fact it was just a blood pressure spike from all the goddam salt.
The customer service is OK - they speak English. No basic conveniences though, like travel plug adapters or umbrellas.
Conclusion - Imagining that this hotel can't possibly be expensive (I don't pay for it, the company I work for does), it's probably fine if you're young or tolerant, and are on vacation and your priorities are a decent room right across from the beach. BUT, if like me you're traveling for work and/or worn out and/or a light sleeper, skip it. AND, tell your boss that you need the best hotel in town that's NOT on the beach. read more