Hotel Atlantico Tower

The modern Hotel Sao Francisco occupies a glassy high-rise in Rio De Janeiro's downtown. Geared toward business clients, the hotel has a bit of a no-nonsense attitude, but doesn't lack style entirely. The lobby is polished and modern, with a backlit, two-tone, marble reception desk that sits squarely in the center of the room. To one side is the small lobby bar, which has a simple charm, with modern wood stools and glass shelving. Plush, olive green and black couches line the lobby walls, along with leafy plants and boxy chairs, all playing nicely off the white and black marble walls and floors. The rooftop has a crystal-blue dipping pool, with a wooden deck lined with dark wicker sun-loungers, and an adjacent bar area with more dark wicker chairs and tables. On the roof, there's an almost tropical vacation vibe, with leafy plants and sunbathers having fun and sipping drinks. But down in the hotel's two restaurants, the setting feels more like a corporate cafeteria, with rows of plain, dark wood tables and little decoration, other than a couple of murals and TVs. The property does draw some tourists, mainly on weekends and during the summer months. 

The Hotel Sao Francisco is located in downtown Rio De Janiero, where it's bustling during the day and quiet at night -- which can feel somewhat uncomfortable or unsafe for travelers. Avenida Presidente Vargas, the main highway running through the business district, is a couple minutes' walk. However, there is plenty for tourists to see in this historic area, with some cobblestone streets and Baroque churches from Brazil's colonial days. Calendaria church, the Banco do Brasil Cultural Center, and Praza Quinze are within five to 10 minutes on foot. The Uruguaiana metro station is just over five minutes' walk, making wider exploration of the city fairly easy. 

The rooms at the Hotel Sao Francisco are perfectly comfortable, if totally lacking style. The hotel has taken a no-frills approach, outfitting rooms with blonde-wood furniture and wall-paneling, and neutral bedspreads and tile floors. They are functional, however, with desks, bedside cabinets, and tall armoires. Each room is air-conditioned and has a flat-screen TV, safe, minibar, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are small with white and gray tiling, toiletries, and stall showers. The variety of room options make it possible for a wider range of guests to find their preferred price point and comfort level. Guests should note that Twin Rooms may have two double (not necessarily twin-size) beds; Deluxe Rooms are not much different from Standards; and Superior Rooms have larger bathrooms with jetted tubs. 

While overall the Hotel Sao Francisco lacks character, it provides a solid hotel experience. Its two restaurants are Sao Carlos, for buffet breakfast, and Sao Chico, for lunch and dinner. The free buffet breakfast is extensive, with meats, cheeses, fruit, breads and pastries, and hot items. The rooftop pool and sun-deck are small but charming compared to the rest of the hotel, and offer some lovely views of the Centro. Geared to business travelers, the hotel has eight meeting rooms, which have audio-visual equipment and space for up to 600 people total; decor is plain, with white walls and conference tables, corporate-style black chairs, and speckled tile floors. The hotel lacks a fitness center but does have a wood sauna. There is 24-hour room service and Wi-Fi is free.