Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHERE TO STAY
Given the size and
the Fasano and Unique in São
Paulo. In tourist areas, the
options include large, fancy,
all-inclusive, internationally
known resort properties,
as well as Brazilian owned
chain and individual hotels.
There are also small, privately owned
establishments, or
pousadas,
that
may only have two or three rooms and
are either very simple and basic or
very sophisticated.
diversity of Brazil, it is
no surprise that the
country offers an excellent
selection of accommodations
to suit every taste and pocket.
Large cities have a wide range
of business hotels that comprise every-
thing from budget brands, deluxe inter-
national properties such as Grand Hyatt
and Orient-Express, to privately owned,
cutting-edge boutique hotels such as
Pousada dos Quatro
Cantos sign
(see p378)
BOOKING
PRICES & PAYMENTS
that sells a “package”
(a combination of flight,
hotels, car hire, among
others) must be bonded
through an approved body
that will protect the client's
financial security; this will
probably not be the case if
the traveler books direct.
During the high season, and
especially during Carnaval
and the Christmas to New
Year period, many hotels and
pousadas
in Brazil will expect
guests to stay for a minimum
number of nights. This will
need to be taken into consid-
eration as one- or two-night
stays may be difficult to find
if you want to move around.
Book in advance during high
season, as good rooms are
not easy to come by last
minute. Weekends can also
get quite crowded.
As Brazil is one of the most
active Internet countries in
the world, the majority of
hotels,
pousadas
, and lodges
have their own websites
through which it is possible
to make reservations. Many
larger properties also appear
on international booking
engines and travel sites such
as
Expedia
and
Last Minute
.
In places where there is an
English-speaking staff, it is
also possible to make tele-
phone and fax reservations.
In the age of the Internet, it
is important for the traveler to
check how financially protec-
ted they are if they do book
directly and the property they
choose goes out of business.
Under European regulations,
any company based in the EU
Just as travelers want financial
security, so do hotel and
pousada
owners. A deposit
will certainly be required,
whereas many smaller prop-
erties may require payment in
advance to cover the entire
duration of the stay, espec-
ially in high season or for
weekend specials.
It is also normal for hotels
in Brazil to ask the client to
send a fax or photocopy of
the credit card used to make
the reservation. The reason
for this is due to the increas-
ing number of travelers who
change their travel plans and
then try to deny they ever
made the reservation. A copy
of the credit card - if not
reported stolen - does tend
to prove that the person
A swanky new Serhs Natal Grand Hotel on Via Costeira, Natal
Bags of spices and herbs at the
fiera livre
(open-air market) in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.
