Novotel RJ Praia de Botafogo Hotel 4 stars

Not value for money as a lot of basic amenities are not included as part of basic room standard items. A bottle of water costs just to nothing but yet water is reserved in the mini bar section. The room lacks tissue box in the bed room or work station side. The toilet lacks a rubbish bin as the only bin is inside the WC cubicle. Internet issues are abound and there are plenty of dead zones. Service is the stellar feature for otherwise mediocre rooms. Staffs are super helpful and very caring.

My best experience: On 13th Oct 2:00 PM BRT I have physically approached the front office of Novotel Botafogo and requested the front desk executive to cancel my reservation with the reservation code WJKTEJ(booked for the dates 14th Oct to 19th Oct). Receptionist confirmed me that he has cancelled the reservation. On 15th Oct there is an amount of REA 379.05 charged on my credit card. When I contacted them couple of times they assured me that it is only preauthorization and they will discuss this with the reservation team and get back to me. I did not get any response after that. After two weeks on 31st Oct amount has been deducted from my Amex card. I have one question, I Just wanted to know because of lack of communication from you team why I should be penalized.

I stayed in the accessible room at the first night. I was warned that the room had adaptations like bathroom bars, lower bed and wider hallway. About that, no problem. The problem is that due to a floor failure in the shower area, water comes out of the shower area completely flooding the bathroom. It was a ridiculous situation to get out of the shower and realize that the entire bathroom was flooded and the water did not go down the drain, it was pooled. Also, as my room was in front of the elevator, I couldn't sleep all night because whenever the elevator passed my floor, it made an extreme noise, a creak that looked like construction was going on inside my room. As soon as I woke up the next day, I went to reception and asked to change rooms for my second night, because in a lodging, the only two things I want is a good bath and a good night's sleep but I had none of that. The desk clerk answered me and I changed rooms. For the second night, it was fine.

Such an impressive view from the windows to the world renowned postal card, the Sugar Loaf, enhances the elegance of the stay, whilst the well-thought room infrastructure assures the comfort within.

Happy with the hotel, except 1 thing: felt humilitated when you asked for a pre-authorisation on my credit card to cover for minibar and breakfast. Is is really necessary? Cant you trust that Accor frequent customers (who have already paid in full the accomodation btw) will indeed pay for additional services at check out?

Great location, service, hospitality

The hotel is well located and I felt safe. I had only one incident, during the check out in the early morning. I asked for a bottle of water and the attendant could not sell it to me because the bar, at the lobby, was closed. I went to the airport thirsty and in Brazil, it is very hot. Besides that, it was a normal stay and anything surprised me.

The location of this hotel is ideal for business in and around Rio de Janeiro. Situated across from Botafogo Bay and Sugar Loaf Mountain. The problem I found was crossing the highway to get to the beach. There is no access close to the hotel. You can cross at the cross walk but then you have to walk a great distance to the under path to cross the highway. As for the hotel, I stayed 5 nights and I was very disappointed by the view from my room. It was the side of the hotel looking down upon old derelict roof tops and garbage below. I asked to change rooms. If it was one night I would not care so much but 5 nights. I wanted a room facing the front of the hotel and Sugar Loaf. I was told it would be an extra cost so I asked how much and I said okay. Then I was informed there were no rooms available. Then the gentlemen came up to show me other rooms. I finally selected a room on the other side of the hotel facing roofs of other buildings which were not as bad. This hotel is sandwiched between two buildings so you must ask for a room in the front of the building. My room was nice and clean. Breakfast had a nice selection of hot and cold items. The view from the restaurant was also nice as it faced the front of the hotel and Botafogo Bay. The bar was circular in the middle of the lobby area. It was nice with a large screen TV but there was never any one there. I sat for 15 minutes and no bartender. I went to the front desk and they called for a bartender. Another 5 minutes passed then a manager walked by and the receptionist told her so she went upstairs to get someone from the restaurant. Not very good service. After 5 days I must say that I received a better hello each day from security people than the people at the reception desk. A little disappointed.

Stay was OK. To improve (-) : There was only one shampoo, conditioner and soap. There was no iron. Also, the power outlets were only brazilian. These days I would expect to have international outlets at all hotels. To keep doing (+) : bed was very comfortable as well as the temperature of the water in the shower.

The hotel has a very comfy room and a very good breakfast, with a lot of options. I recommended.

Well located, Staff super Friendly, great breakfast. Very new facilities.

Great hotel opposite Botafogo beach. Friendly staff and good rooms.

The room and overall hotel were clean and well maintained. The restaurant food was good, and the prices seemed fair for a business hotel. The staff, while not at all rude, was uncaring and unaccommodating to most requests - - almost as though they were in a first job and untrained in customer service. This covered the gamut from finding an adapter, off-hours food, late check-out, red wine choices, handling a package delivery, adjusting conference room set-up, etc. While I wouldn't wave anyone away who is planning to stay, I feel there are better options in Rio.

I am disappointed with the room. Room carpet is old and with stains. The walls have stains (all walls). Missed room pictures or paintings. Furniture is too weared. Mattress is too old and too soft. Only blankets and no comforter. Cushioned thick comforter is a must in any hotel, not a thin blanket. TV signal of channels too weal, poor image quality. Dirty balcony. Doors and chairs with stains or chip marks. Rooms need a renovation now. The pictures in the website shows nicer and newer rooms, likely the photos were edited. When I booked the room I thought I have an Ocean front view, at checkin my view was lateral. I have to paid about USD 35 more per night for the front view... and that was the only thing I enjoyed the most of this hotel. The breakfast is decent. The walls and furniture around the roof top pool are dirty and too weared. Cleanliness at that area was poor. Rest of food in chairs and in floor. Checkin and checkout process is too slow. I won't recommend this hotel to anybody unless they want to pay for the expensive front sea view.

Some people didn’t want to make an effort to help. For instance, I wanted my coffee with a little milk. The first time, a guy went and got me milk. All the other times after that the people would tell me there is no milk. I knew there was milk, it’s a restaurant! I had seen in out before, but they were unwilling to help