Mercure Salvador Rio Vermelho

The Mercure Salvador Rio Vermelho is simple, functional, and clean property that falls exactly in line with what's expected of this mid-range brand. The atrium-style lobby with giant pot plants makes a relaxed and light first impression, and the gift of colorful Senhor do Bonfim ribbons to guests upon check-in is a nice local touch. The hotel is designed to make the most of the seafront setting, and its outdoor pool, large restaurant, and fitness center all face the ocean. The hotel manages to have broad appeal when it comes to geusts; the oceanfront location draws tourists, yet there’s an underlying business vibe in both the decor -- bold gray pillars and a lack of artwork, which would help soften the edges -- and the fact that meetings often take place in the bar. Thanks to its price and reliable name, the hotel draws tourist couples, solo travelers, locals, and business guests in equal measure.

The hotel sits at one end of Buracao Beach in the tourist-friendly Rio Vermelho neighborhood, on Salvador’s southern tip. While Buracao Beach itself is a pleasant stretch of sand, the area outside the hotel is a rocky headland and isn’t suitable for swimming. The beach is also a bit dirty. The Mercure shares its immediate location with an Ibis hotel and there are a number of other hotels nearby. Guests will find plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants within a five-minute walk, including local eateries and international fast-food joints, plus a supermarket and couple of small shopping malls. There’s a taxi stand outside the hotel for longer journeys. Local attractions include the historic Da Barra Lighthouse, which is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Travelers looking to explore historic downtown Salvador should budget about 20 minutes by car or taxi. Getting to Salvador's airport takes around 45 minutes by car -- longer in peak times.

Rooms and apartments at the Mercure are set over seven stories. They are typical of a mid-range chain hotel, with an identikit neutral color scheme, oak-effect IKEA-style furniture, and tiled or wooden floors. All rooms have amenities like air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are compact and fully tiled, with walk-in showers, marble sinks, make-up mirrors, and wall-mounted hairdryers. Basic toiletries are provided. Standard Rooms are on the small side for a beach hotel, at 25 square meters (270 square feet), with armchairs, desks, and city views. Superior Rooms are identical, but have the benefit of ocean views. Privilege Rooms come with upgraded amenities such as robes, slippers, and Nespresso machines. During our visit we noted that the windows only open a fraction, so guests will need to rely on the air-conditioning to cool down the room. There are also a few cleanliness issues in some bathrooms.

Features at the Mercure Salvador Rio Vermelho are typical of a mid-range chain hotel; there’s one of everything, except a spa. The highlight is the oceanfront infinity pool, where waves crash against the side, and there are plenty of sun loungers to soak up the view. For dining, Restaurante do Casarao serves up international dishes with a local twist and an ocean view. Breakfast is buffet-style and, though it gets good reviews from previous guests thanks to the vast selection including traditional Brazilian dishes, costs. Bonfirm Bar sells snacks and cocktails, and a swim-up bar -- Piscina -- opens for drinks during the day. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. For business travelers, there are 10 meeting rooms of various sizes. A long and narrow fitness center has plenty of cardio equipment for work-outs with an ocean view, and there's also a sauna. On-site parking is available for a fee.