NAU Sao Rafael Atlantico

“Relaxing vacation convenient location”

We went in April 20 to May 4. Our expectations were for a clean hotel with average food and mediocre service based on older reviews. When we arrived we were greated with big smiles and very courteous staff. The hotel itself was very clean and kept that way. The management had changed since th... more

We went in April 20 to May 4. Our expectations were for a clean hotel with average food and mediocre service based on older reviews. When we arrived we were greated with big smiles and very courteous staff. The hotel itself was very clean and kept that way. The management had changed since the reviews we had read and they are working very hard to get the hotel to the 5 star rating. We got to know the concierge (Debora) quite well as well as several of the front desk staff who were very friendly and helpful constantly asking if there ws anything more they could do for us. We were there to celebrate our birthdays and anniversary. we were surprised when we received cake and champagne for our birthdays and a heart and swan towel arrangement with silk rose petals on our anniversay. The wait staff were excellent and the head chef was codial and thankful for our feedback on his food. Richard was frequently there to welcome and seat us. He is what you would expect in a maitre d...polite pleasant and very friendly and willing to do whatever he could to please us. We took several excursions all with pickup just outside the hotel. The beach is only 800 metres from the hotel mostly downhill(uphill return is a workout if you are tired or have bad knees...but you could call a car service if you needed. The outdoor pool areas are beautiful and they are working on the rest of the grounds. The indoor pool and spa were under renovation as the new management are stepping up the facilities. They do have plans to renovate the rooms to make them even more upscale. The suite we had was very comfortable. A separate bedroom with the most comfortable King size bed we have ever had. it had an ensuite bathroom with a tub and shower combo dual vanity toilet and bidet. There was another bathroom outside the bedroom. it had a toilet sink and shower. It was sufficient but the size of this bathroom wold fit inside a cruise ship bathroom with room to spare(a little tight for space). I know they have plans to improve many of the facilities as the new management has identified many areas were improvents can be made both physically and cosmetically. Customer service training and procedures are also increasing and improving. We noticed some of the changes even in the 2 weeks we were there. We also know how hard the people work and thank them for their service and they respect and thank us for our consideration of them as well. I know they want this to be a five star resort but for now it is a respectable 4 star.....the dining is buffet with a separate somewhat italian specialty restaurant which does not feel upscale or italian. The food is good but ordinary. I heard they have plans for a second restaurant but it takes time to figure out how to get an upscale specialty restaurant wile trying to step up the existing dining first. overal the place is an excellent place to serve as a base for touring and the updated facilities available at the end of May this year will help to pamper those wedding guests a little more. we saw several groups of men for bachelor parties and women for bachelorette .... they all seemed to have had fun. also several families in for weddings I know the planned improvement will get them closer to that true 5 star rating they want. Again thanks to all the staff who worked so hard to make our stay such a pleasant and relaxing stay.

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“Noisy place”

Nice hotel but the customers awful noisy and swearing groups ofvEnglish men at the buffet and we find this people in the lounge again For a 5 star hotel i wasn't espect this. Don't recomend at all. Nobody from the hotel told this people to contain in swearing waste of money