Comfort Hotel Ibirapuera

The Comfort Hotel Ibirapuera is part of Atlantica Hotels, a chain that operates several hotels in the Sao Paulo area. From the outside, the hotel looks modern, and towers up to 20 floors. When entering the small, busy hotel lobby, guests will likely notice a deep red wall color and contemporary artwork that make the space feel cheerful and light. There’s a black-and-white photo of the nearby Ibirapuera Park, from which the hotel gets its name. With a closer look around, the details and overall feel of the hotel are pretty standard for a generic mid-range chain with a lot of business guests passing through during the week and a mix of families and other travelers on weekends.

The Comfort Hotel Ibirapuera is named for the nearby Parque Ibirapuera, one of Sao Paulo’s biggest and most popular parks. The park, home to notable buildings by well-known Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, several museums, and a picturesque lake, is about a 15-minute walk away. The main downside of the location is that there is no metro stop within walking distance of the hotel, making taking a bus or taxi (in Sao Paulo’s notorious traffic) the main modes of transit to get around the sprawling city. The hotel faces out onto a busy road in the Moema District, a relatively serene part of town peppered with a variety of dining options (including American chains like Applebee's and Starbucks), supermarkets, shopping outlets, and other hotels. However, this neighborhood is at least a 25-minute taxi ride away from Paulista Avenue, the city’s main district for popular for entertainment, culture, and dining.

The rooms at the Comfort Hotel Ibirapuera have an overall contemporary look, though their overall style is a bit bland. Rooms feature beige and brown tones, but  little color or personality. Some rooms have different colored wood furniture or floors that don’t match. The Superior and Luxury Rooms are both the same size (roughly 25 square meters), however the Luxury Rooms are located on upper floors and include a few extra amenities. Luxury Rooms have slightly more updated decor, such as a fresher headboard, as well as coffee and tea facilities. All rooms come with a flat-screen TV, a refrigerated minibar (fees apply), and a bedside table with reading lights. Easily accessible power outlets are a thoughtful detail. The bathrooms are a good size, but they’re unevenly updated. For example, many have updated marble countertops but older walk-in showers and dated tile. All rooms feature a small balcony with nice views of the surrounding metropolis, especially from the upper floors.

Features are mostly focused on business travelers. Restaurant Bonjardim is located on the first floor and features lots of windows that face out onto a nice outdoor garden and patio. It serves breakfast (included) and lunch buffet style, and dinner a la carte with a range of international dishes on the menu. Room service is also available. Located on the 21st floor, the outdoor pool and garden area offers panoramic views of the surrounding city, including the nearby Ibirapuera Park. There are a handful of lounge chairs, and the pool is big enough to swim laps, which is a nice feature in the compact city of Sao Paulo where space is a commodity. A small gym has a few machines, which aren't new, but are in decent condition. The hotel has one meeting room with a capacity of 35 people available for business clients to reserve. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Parking is available for a fee.