Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsPlaza São Rafael Hotel in Porto Alegre is highly praised for its central location that provides easy access to key attractions, transportation hubs, shopping areas and cultural spots. The proximity to Santa Casa Hospital is an added advantage. However, guests are advised to be cautious of the surrounding neighborhood, especially at night, as it can feel unsafe.
The breakfast experience at the hotel receives positive reviews for its variety and quality with guests appreciating the range of options from sweet to savory items and the friendly, attentive staff. There are some calls for more healthy choices and improvements in the temperature of the food. The breakfast area itself is cozy and pleasant.
Dinner experiences are mixed. While the restaurant is appreciated for well-prepared dishes at a fair price, dinner service has room for improvement in variety, creativity and service speed. Negative feedback often includes issues with the quality of room service food and long wait times.
Rooms at Plaza São Rafael Hotel are generally well-received for their spaciousness, comfort and cleanliness. Guests enjoy the large, comfortable beds and effective soundproofing. However, some rooms are noted as outdated, particularly the bathrooms and would benefit from renovation.
Cleanliness throughout the hotel is commendable with many guests describing the rooms and common areas as spotless and well-maintained. The housekeeping staff are recognized for their efficiency and dedication.
The staff at Plaza São Rafael Hotel are consistently praised for their friendliness and attentiveness, contributing significantly to a pleasant overall experience. From receptionists to housekeepers and restaurant staff, guests appreciate the professional and warm service provided.
The Wi-Fi connection is an area in need of improvement with many guests experiencing poor, slow and unstable internet service, particularly on higher floors. While some areas have a good signal, the majority of comments highlight connectivity issues.
The gym is a standout feature with its spaciousness, cleanliness and modern equipment, all enhanced by a spectacular rooftop view. Some equipment may need updating, but overall, the gym is well-regarded.
The pool receives mixed reviews. Guests appreciate its cleanliness and the rooftop view, but many find the water too cold for comfort. Issues with maintenance, like missing tiles and broken heaters, are also noted.
Parking is available but managed by an outsourced company, leading to additional costs and sometimes unreliable service. Guests have reported issues with the condition of their cars and slow service.
For families, Plaza São Rafael Hotel is a favorable choice, offering spacious rooms and amenities catering to children, such as a children's pool and additional provisions upon request. Family excursions are facilitated by the nearby transportation options, making the stay enjoyable for both adults and children. Some improvements could be made to better accommodate the needs of families.
Overall, Plaza São Rafael Hotel offers a comfortable and convenient stay with high points in location, staff service and cleanliness, though certain areas like dinner service, Wi-Fi and parking could benefit from enhancements. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Dog Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Indoor Pool Panoramic View Pool
Business Hotel
Hotel with Parking
Accessible Hotel
Hotel with Gym
4-Star Hotel
Hotel with Panoramic View Pool
Hotel with Indoor Pool
Room Types
Standard Double Room with Double BedThis air-conditioned room includes cable TV, a telephone with voicemail and minibar. Free WiFi is available.
Superior Double RoomThis air-conditioned room includes cable TV, a telephone with voicemail and minibar. Free WiFi is available.
Executive Suite with Double BedThis spacious, air-conditioned room features a living area and a bathroom with a bathtub. It includes cable TV, a telephone with voicemail and minibar. Free WiFi is available.
Superior Twin RoomThis air-conditioned room includes cable TV, a telephone with voicemail and minibar. Free WiFi is available.
Standard Twin Room This air-conditioned room includes cable TV, a telephone with voicemail and minibar. Free WiFi is available.
Standard Double SuiteThe pool with a view is a top feature of this suite. This suite includes 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and free toiletries. The air-conditioned suite offers a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a minibar, executive lounge access, a seating area as well as city views. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.2
Very Good
Location
Plaza São Rafael Hotel in Porto Alegre benefits from a highly praised central location that facilitates easy access to the city's main attractions and transportation hubs, including the airport and bus station. Guests frequently commend its strategic placement in the downtown area, highlighting the convenience for business trips and leisure with many points of interest, shopping areas and historic sites within walking distance.
The hotel's proximity to the Santa Casa Hospital is particularly valued for those needing medical access and its location proves advantageous for exploring the city's offerings, from malls to cultural spots like museums and churches. Guests appreciate the ease of using various modes of transport such as trains, boats, Uber and taxis.
Despite these positive aspects, several reviews mention that the surrounding neighborhood can feel unsafe, especially at night. The environment is described as ugly and potentially dangerous, making some guests wary of walking around after dark.
The central location coupled with commendable hotel amenities such as a rooftop pool, comfortable rooms and helpful customer service, makes Plaza São Rafael Hotel a convenient choice for visitors looking to stay in the heart of Porto Alegre, though caution is advised regarding the external safety issues at night.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Plaza São Rafael Hotel has garnered a wide range of reviews from guests with plenty of positive remarks, alongside some areas noted for improvement. The most frequently mentioned highlight is the breakfast's variety with many guests praising the array of options available that cater to different tastes, including both sweet and savory items. The breakfast is often described as excellent, wonderful and superb with specific mentions of its completeness and freshness. Guests also appreciated the efficient replenishment of items and the quality of coffee provided.
However, some reviewers felt that the breakfast could offer more in terms of healthy and nutritious options, including fresh fruits, proteins and gluten-free selections. There were criticisms that certain items, such as juices and cakes, were of subpar quality or that the overall selection has diminished compared to prior visits.
One recurring issue was the temperature of the food with multiple guests commenting that the breakfast items were served cold. The cost of breakfast was another point of contention with some guests feeling that the price did not match the value provided.
Despite these critiques, the service at breakfast received high marks with guests frequently lauding the friendly and attentive staff. The setting of the breakfast area was also noted as cozy and pleasant, enhancing the dining experience. While there were mixed feelings about certain aspects, the breakfast at Plaza São Rafael Hotel generally leaves a favorable impression with its variety and overall quality.
Dinner
Plaza São Rafael Hotel's dining experience is a mix of highs and lows, particularly when it comes to dinner. While the breakfast service receives frequent praise for its variety and exceptional quality, dinner options appear more contentious. Some guests are impressed with the very good restaurant, noting well-prepared dishes, great options and the cuisine being delicious with good food at a fair price. The restaurant is frequently mentioned as a positive aspect of the hotel.
However, there are a noticeable number of critiques regarding the restaurant's creativity, variety and execution. Issues such as long wait times for orders, limited and repetitive dinner options and room service food quality receive consistent negative feedback. Complaints include tough meat, poor room service food and unsatisfactory meals, including a disappointing pizza and a cold grilled cheese sandwich. Some guests also mentioned the lack of basic items like French fries and having to leave the hotel to find satisfactory dining options.
Overall, while there are excellent aspects to the hotel's restaurant, including a positive breakfast experience and praise for the restaurant itself, the dinner experience shows room for improvement in terms of variety, service speed and execution of dishes.
Rooms
Plaza São Rafael Hotel offers a variety of room experiences, predominantly praised for their spaciousness and comfort. Guests repeatedly commend the large, comfortable beds and overall room comfort. The quiet rooms with effective soundproofing contribute to restful stays and many reviews highlight the cleanliness and tidiness of the rooms.
Despite the overall positive feedback, several guests note that the rooms are outdated with some featuring old furniture and fixtures. The bathrooms, in particular, appear to need renovation with reports of outdated equipment and occasional maintenance issues, such as leaks and unpleasant odors. The presence of carpets in some rooms has led to some complaints about musty smells and dustiness.
While most reviews appreciate the room size, cleanliness and basic amenities like air conditioning and minibars, there are mentions of noise disturbances, including sounds from mini-fridges and thin walls. Additionally, some guests experienced issues with bathroom plumbing and old air conditioning units.
Overall, guests find the Plaza São Rafael Hotel's rooms comfortable and spacious, suitable for a satisfactory stay, though some renovation and modernization efforts would likely enhance the guest experience further.
Beds
Plaza São Rafael Hotel receives high praise for its beds, consistently described as very comfortable, big and cozy. Guests emphasize the comfort of the beds and pillows, often noting the excellent quality of the mattresses and linens. Many found the beds to be the perfect balance of softness and support, contributing to a restful night's sleep.
The spacious rooms with large, comfortable beds are also appreciated, enhancing the overall comfort during stays. Despite occasional mentions of some mattresses being dated or specific beds lacking firmness, the general consensus points to a positive sleeping experience. The addition of fresh sheets and top-quality bed linens further elevates the accommodation's appeal.
While reviews occasionally highlight minor drawbacks such as the absence of outlets next to the bed or the need for better pillows, these issues appear to be outliers. On the whole, Plaza São Rafael Hotel is noted for providing a welcoming and restful environment, largely attributed to the high standard of its bedding.
Cleanliness
Plaza São Rafael Hotel consistently impresses guests with its cleanliness, which is frequently described as impeccable, excellent and wonderful. Many reviewers highlight the spotless and well-maintained rooms, bathrooms and common areas. Words like tidy organized, hygienic and fragrant are commonly used to praise how clean the premises are. The housekeeping staff receive high marks for their efficiency and dedication to maintaining a clean and cozy environment.
Several guests report that the rooms are not only clean but also large, comfortable and well-organized. Specific praises include well-sanitized rooms, clean and functional facilities and an overall well-kept atmosphere.
However, a few areas might need attention. Some guests noticed stained carpets, occasional odors in rooms and minor cleanliness issues in the pool area and common areas. Despite these small drawbacks, the general consensus remains that the hotel's cleaning standards are very high with most guests feeling very pleased with the cleanliness and comfort of their accommodations.
Staff
The guest reviews of Plaza São Rafael Hotel highlight the exceptional performance and friendliness of the staff. Consistently praised for their attentiveness and politeness, the hotel team is commended for providing excellent service across all areas of the establishment. From the welcoming and efficient receptionists to the diligent housekeepers, the staff demonstrate professionalism and dedication.
Guests appreciate the thorough and kind service with numerous mentions of attentive employees and friendly interactions. The hotel’s restaurant staff and valet attendants also receive positive recognition for their courteous and warm demeanor. The service is noted to be both personalized and efficient, contributing to a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
Despite a few isolated complaints about lack of knowledge among some staff members and occasional delays, the general consensus underscores a high level of satisfaction with the service provided. The hotel staff are described as not only professional and organized but also genuinely willing to assist with any requests or concerns, ensuring a pleasant stay for the guests.
Overall, Plaza São Rafael Hotel’s staff are a major highlight for visitors, significantly enhancing the overall experience with their exceptional hospitality.
Wi-Fi
The Plaza São Rafael Hotel offers a generally positive experience for many aspects of its amenities and infrastructure, including a restaurant, cafeteria and gym. However, there are significant issues with the Wi-Fi service that guests should be aware of. The internet connection is described as unstable and often weak with multiple reviews mentioning that it did not work properly in the rooms, especially on higher floors such as the 16th.
Guests have reported that the Wi-Fi signal is very poor, slow and frequently interrupted. In some instances, it was practically nonexistent, forcing some guests to rely on their mobile data instead. Although there are occasional mentions of the Wi-Fi meeting expectations and having a great signal in some areas, these are outliers compared to the majority of reviews highlighting severe connectivity issues.
Overall, while the Plaza São Rafael Hotel provides good facilities and services, its Wi-Fi performance is clearly an area in need of improvement to meet the needs of contemporary travelers.
Gym
The gym at Plaza São Rafael Hotel is frequently praised for its spaciousness, cleanliness and impressive range of equipment. Many guests find the facility very satisfying, noting it as a highlight of their stay. The gym offers a spectacular view, especially from its rooftop location, which enhances the workout experience. It is described as complete and well-equipped with modern, high-quality machines. However, a few comments suggest that some gym equipment could use maintenance or upgrading. Despite minor criticisms, the overall consensus is that the gym is a standout feature of the hotel, combining good facilities with an incredible vista for an enjoyable fitness experience.
Pool
The pool at Plaza São Rafael Hotel garners mixed reviews from guests. Many highlight the pool's positive aspects, noting it as nice, clean and pleasant with a beautiful view from the rooftop. Some reviews praise the pool's size and commend the pool and jacuzzi as wonderful amenities. Guests also appreciate the combined offering of the pool, gym and spa.
However, a significant number of reviews mention the pool's temperature as a downside. Complaints frequently point out that the pool water is very cold, not heated and sometimes even described as freezing, making it unpleasant or unusable for some guests. The perception that the pool would be heated, only to find it cold, leads to disappointment. Additionally, issues with maintenance, such as missing tiles and broken heaters, were noted, along with instances where the pool was under maintenance or closed.
Overall, while the pool has its charms, improvements in heating and maintenance could significantly enhance the guest experience.
Parking
The Plaza São Rafael Hotel offers a valet parking service, though it comes with some notable caveats. The hotel doesn't have its own parking facility; instead, it uses an outsourced company to manage the parking in a garage nearby, which customers have found to be an additional cost that isn't always clearly communicated upfront. Reviews have pointed out that despite the added expense, the service isn't always reliable or efficient—cars have reportedly returned with scratches or bird droppings and retrieving vehicles can take a considerable amount of time.
Moreover, some guests mentioned that the valet staff's customer service leaves much to be desired with instances of candy theft and a generally slow service being highlighted. The parking cost, which is around 35 reais per day, can feel steep and is charged separately from the hotel room rate. Despite this, some reviews mentioned that the parking is, for now, free, which might indicate a recent policy change or a temporary offer. Finally, the lack of clear signage or guidance regarding the parking situation has left some guests frustrated. Overall, while parking is available at Plaza São Rafael, the lack of transparency and the additional costs have been a point of contention for many guests.
Family
Plaza São Rafael Hotel is widely praised as an excellent choice for families with many positive comments highlighting its suitability for family stays. Reviewers mentioned that the rooms are large and comfortable, ideal for families with young children and the family accommodation is well-regarded. Children particularly enjoy the various transportation experiences available nearby, such as trains, boats and Uber rides, making family excursions pleasant and memorable.
The hotel's amenities cater to families, including a children's pool that, though well-liked, has received some cautionary notes due to sharp edges. There are efforts to ensure children's safety and enjoyment with some reviews noting additional provisions like cribs and baby bathtubs upon request. Families visiting during holidays, such as Children's Day, found the hotel accommodating and enjoyable for their kids.
While the overall experience for families is positive, there are a few areas noted for improvement. Some guests felt that the hotel hasn't fully adjusted to accommodate the large number of families with children and there were a few mixed comments about the charges and some facility adjustments for larger family groups. However, most families appreciated the acoustic comfort of the rooms and found the hotel staff accommodating, particularly for infants and young children.
In sum, Plaza São Rafael Hotel is considered a good, family-friendly option with suitable amenities and activities that cater well to family needs, despite a few minor drawbacks.
4 Star
The Plaza São Rafael Hotel in Porto Alegre presents an excellent cost-benefit ratio for those in search of four-star amenities. The hotel exudes a classic, 70s style charm and is renowned as one of the city's most traditional establishments. Though the accommodations are slightly dated, the infrastructure, furniture, lighting and bathrooms are well-preserved, reflecting a high standard for a four-star property.
Comfortable and providing essential four-star facilities, the hotel remains a popular choice for short stays, delivering on the expected service quality and value of a four-star rating. Reviews highlight that the hotel meets the expectations of a four-star establishment, though some suggest modernization could enhance the experience. While the towels may leave something to be desired in terms of softness, the overall maintenance and preservation of the hotel are commendable.
Despite its downtown location, which may feel daunting due to a high flow of beggars and addicts making the area less advisable for evening strolls, the Plaza São Rafael Hotel justifies each of its stars with a classic appeal and reliable four-star services. Guests appreciate the hotel’s high standards while acknowledging room for improvement to fully align with modern four-star quality expectations.
Business
Plaza São Rafael Hotel is highly praised for accommodating business travelers. The facility is well-suited for the needs of professionals on business trips, featuring multiple well-equipped amenities like a business center, coworking spaces and meeting rooms. Many of the reviews highlight the hotel’s central location, which is perfect for commuting, making it convenient for business engagements.
Moreover, the hotel offers excellent cost-benefit, exceptional Wi-Fi and a suitable environment for both work and relaxation. Guests appreciate the kind staff and general installations, contributing positively to their overall experience. The combination of traditional elegance with modern high standards makes it a commendable choice for business travelers.
Although there are minor critiques, such as the inadequacy of the valet parking service and the lack of stocked minibars, the overwhelming sentiment is positive. Plaza São Rafael manages to serve both business and leisure travelers effectively, maintaining a balance that appeals to a wide range of guests.
Accessible
Plaza São Rafael Hotel stands out as an excellent option for travelers with disabilities. Guests appreciated the accessible bathrooms and rooms, making their stay comfortable and hassle-free. The hotel's location is praised for its accessibility, ensuring ease of movement around the area. The attentive reception and exceptional service provided by staff, specifically mentioning Robert, add to the positive experience.
The indoor pool, wonderful breakfast and great overall value are additional highlights. Multiple reviews highly recommend the hotel, mentioning its great value and suitability for all travelers. Despite a minor issue with the faucets, the overwhelming feedback points to a highly accessible and welcoming environment, perfect for any guest.
Indoor Pool
The Plaza São Rafael Hotel features an indoor pool that many guests appreciate for its availability and the fact that it is covered. However, there are some concerns regarding the pool's temperature, as it tends to be quite cold and lacks proper heating. Additionally, the glass area surrounding the pool requires urgent cleaning. The attached jacuzzi has also faced issues, such as not functioning properly and the water becoming dirty during the week. Despite these drawbacks, the presence of an indoor pool can still be a valuable amenity for guests seeking relaxation and leisure.
Dog Friendly
Plaza São Rafael Hotel caters to dog owners by allowing dogs in their rooms, making it a convenient option for those traveling with pets. Guests noted that the rooms are satisfactory, providing a comfortable stay for both humans and their furry companions. However, while the hotel is dog friendly, there are certain restrictions; for instance, pets are not permitted on the rooftop. An important consideration for potential guests is the cost associated with bringing a pet, which some found to be quite high. Despite these limitations, Plaza São Rafael Hotel remains a viable option for those looking to travel with their dogs for the first time.
Yes, Plaza São Rafael Hotel has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Indoor Pool, Panoramic View Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Plaza São Rafael Hotel.
Yes, Plaza São Rafael Hotel welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Plaza São Rafael Hotel.