I greatly enjoyed a short but relaxing stay at the Grand Hyatt São Paulo. Not only was I upgraded to a large suite, but I found the staff exceedingly kind and the amenities quite generous, particularly considering we were in the midst of a global pandemic.
Grand Hyatt São Paulo Review
Booking + Upgrade
I booked a paid rate of about $100/night after taxes. I could have used 12,000 points (the hotel is a Category 3 property) but since I value Hyatt points at two cents each, it made sense to hold onto them.
After a 9:30am landing at Guarulhos International Airport, the ride to the hotel took about 90 minutes in typical morning rush hour traffic. I saw on the World of Hyatt app that I had been upgraded to a suite due to my Globalist status and wondered if I would be able to check in early.
Although it was only 11:00am, four hours before official check-in time, I was told my room was ready and provided a key immediately. A check-in clerk warmly welcomed me to São Paulo and explained Grand Club hours and breakfast in C Restaurant.
I was also presented with a paper detailing hotel amenities:
Grand Suite
My eighth floor suite, room 802, featured a large living room, bedroom, and bathroom. At 731 square feet (68 square meters) it was very spacious and also quite inviting with natural light streaming through the suite’s many windows.
The living room featured a couch and two wing chairs and the bedroom also featured two easy chairs with ottomans.
The bathroom included a bathtub, separate shower, and toilet with the vanity in between closets in a separate room. Shower products were from Granado and had a great lavender scent.
Other than a splotch of white paint on the armoire in the bedroom, the suite was very clean.
My World of Hyatt profile must note how much I like berries, because shortly after arrival a bowl of berries (and grapes) plus chocolate was delivered to my room, a very nice touch (along with sparkling and still water).
The room also included a mini-bar with snacks and drinks for purchase and a Nesepresso coffee machine.
Twin Room
My flight to Houston was not leaving until 11:00pm so I gingerly asked the next morning if I could have a late checkout. The front desk clerk immediately offered me an 8:00pm checkout on the condition that I vacate my suite by 4:00pm. (It helped that the hotel was mostly empty)
That was a great tradeoff, as I was out all day any way but still able to workout and then shower prior to my flight.
The twin room was 441 square feet (41 square meters) and also included a large bathroom (and a long hallway to get there).
Fitness Center + Spa
To try to beat jetlag (that urge to nap), the first thing I did was head to the gym and sauna.
The gym at this hotel is very impressive, with two large rooms filled with modern cardiovascular and strength training machines (mostly TechnoGym) along with pilates equipment, medicine balls, free weights, and other a room for stretching.
After my workout, I retreated to the sauna, which was lovely (summer in North America is winter in Brazil and it was cold outside).
The locker room is also modern and includes individual lockers you can lock via a numeric key code.
Massages are available for purchase, though treatment prices run closer to American prices than what you would expect to pay in Brazil.
Pools
Both an indoor and outdoor pool are available, though the outdoor pool was closed due to the pandemic (despite what the flyer above noted).
The indoor pool, however, was quite tranquil and I enjoyed a brief swim after my workout.
Grand Club
Staff in the Grand Club, located on the 20th floor, are just lovely. I arrived after my workout for a cup of coffee, figuring I would have to make it myself. Nope: a staff member greeted me, asked me how I liked my coffee, then made me a very nice cappuccino.
Great views from the Grand Club as well:
An evening happy hour is available from 5:00pm – 8:00pm (drinks are still available after until 10:00pm) and there was a wide selection of food available, easily enough for dinner if you were so inclined (in most places I am, but not in Brazil, where restaurants are amazingly deliciously and reasonable). My dinner plans, however, did not stop me from enjoying a glass of red wine and a nice round of appetizers including:
- pasta with arrabiata sauce
- caprese tomatoes
- green salad with sun-dried tomatoes
- Bolinhos de batata (potato balls)
- cold cuts
- hummus
- cheese
My understanding is that the evening hors d’oeuvres are back to self-serve (versus pointing to what you wanted behind a barrier).
Later in the evening just before closing time my friend and I returned to the lounge. I had a decaf cappuccino while he had a glass of Guarana (which I tried and found rather unappealing).
The Grand Club lounge is a huge plus at this hotel and a nice benefit for Globalist members.
C Restaurant
Breakfast and dinner are offered at C Restaurant on the lobby level. The Grand Club was not open for breakfast, so I enjoyed breakfast and coffee here. A cold buffet (again behind partitions) included pastry items, fresh fruit and juice, yogurts, and cereal while a hot a la carte menu offered egg dishes.
The eggs benedict with salmon and fresh-squeezed juices were particularly good.
If you do not have Grand Club access, coffee is available here throughout the day. Like everything else in the hotel, all coffee machines are Nespresso.
My friend also had dinner here after I left and reported the salmon was very tasty.
COVID-19 Precautions
Every time I entered the property, my temperature was taken (on my hand) and I was directed to use hand sanitizer. Masks were required indoors.
The House Cat + Dog
This hotel has its own cat and dog, which I thought was a cute concept. While I never saw Mocotó, the dog, I did run into Jessica, the cat, several times. She was beautiful, but not all that friendly (she retreated when I tried to pet her).
My friend who visits often has gotten to know the cat and snapped this picture of Jessica sitting at the check-in desk on another visit:
Location
The hotel is located in São Paulo’s business district. I would not necessarily call it a strike because it all depends upon where you are going in Brazil’s largest and most sprawling city, but to get to the coffee shops, restaurants, and bars where I spent time (in the Consolação district), it was a 30-minute Uber ride (just a few bucks though – I love the cheap transportation in Brazil).
CONCLUSION
Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo is a superb hotel in Sao Paulo. As an added plus, rates are also very reasonable during the pandemic. I look forward to returning.
Even pre-pandemic the rates there were very low. Often a standard king was around $150.00 a night. I personally feel staying in Jardim at Fasano or Emiliano is a much better experience for people coming to S.P…..though it can be far pricer with Fasano often charging $400-$500. But nothing like all the best cafes, restaurants and shops being right out the door. And a great neighborhood to stroll in.
On a side note, not many people realize but the Four Seasons, which opened at the end of 2018, closed at the start of 2020. It lasted just over a year only! Must be the shortest lived FS in history. I went for dinner once after it opened and it was really nice, and saw rates often around $250.00. Not sure what happened but…Brazil…who knows.
I agree with all your points. The Hyatt is a very solid business hotel but not located in a place you want to be if on vacation. The Jardins area is where you want to spend time in Sao Paulo.
Agree – this hotel looks fine enough but while it looks nice it could be anywhere. But in Sao Paulo I prefer staying in Jardins, and I do feel that Fasano and Emiliano are worth it for the experience. I’m over the hotel status rat race – just pick the best hotels one can afford and stay there. there are far better options than the chains in nearly every city. the whole “i’m a globalist” thing truly matters not at all when you are actually staying in good, authentic, local hotels. And the best locations/ destinations dont even have points hotels.
I agree, Jason, prior to having a place there I tried them all, and while the Hyatt is fine, it just lacked any real character as to the city. Fasano though is world class. Truly unique. and captures everything Brazil right down to the furnishings. And that bar is probably one of my favorite hotel bars in the world. It’s like being transported to the 1960’s with cool jazz bands and old school service.
Also, Fasano is a member of LHW for what it’s worth. Back when I had status with LHW I would often get upgrades and a locally inspired gift (as well as credit towards free night awards). I know LHW has changed a bit in its offerings so not sure what they provide now. But it still has some sort of loyalty program connection. Emiliano the same.
@Stuart – indeed, that’s the difference between the GH and Renaissance, for example. But even though the location is annoying, it’s worth it for me to save that money.
The new Rosewood property is supposed to open soon. It’s more towards the old center of S.P. and an incredible looking building from an architectural standpoint. Will be interesting to see if they make it given how fast Four Seasons closed. I just can’t understand how one of the world’s largest metro areas, with a great deal of wealth, the economic engine for the largest country in South America, could have so few top end properties.
@Matthew Great review! I just wanted to let you know you made an error with the house cat since you said I tired to pet her instead of tried to pet her. Great review though!
Thanks John! I’ve corrected it.
What safety precautions did you and your friend take in Sao Paulo? I’ve been looking to go there and to Rio, but reports of theft and violent assault even in popular tourist areas has me wary of going
Everyone is going to have a different answer for this, but for those who actually visit Brazil often, we would say common sense is your best precaution. Sao Paulo is known to be safer than Rio, but I’ve never felt unsafe or faced trouble in either city at any hour of the day. St. Louis has a higher violent crime rate than either city.
Stuart: I am Brazilian and lived in Sao Paulo for many many years and most of my family still lives there. Sao Paulo is not a tourist place. There is nothing to do there when compared to other big cities in Brazil. It is a business city so business hotels is what you will find there. So you mentioned why so few high end properties there. Because companies don’t want to pay what. Four Seasons charge for employees to stay there. Brazil currency is horrible but these hotels charge in USD and that is far from the reality of the country. I used to go to Sao Paulo very often when I worked for a Fortune 500 company. They never allowed anyone to stay at the Hyatt, Hilton or Sheraton and preferred local hotel chains with prices closer to the local reality. You mentioned Fasano charges $500/night. That is insane for a Brazilian company or even a multinational company to pay for Brazil. A 5 days week or work there will cost BRL15,000. That is insane.
I am not so sure. When I have stayed at Fasano and Emiliano in both Rio and S.P. the majority of the guests and clientele are Brazilian. Hanging at the bars there with my GF (who is Paulista) she would point out that everyone there was Brazilian and could identify many noted people given her work as an architect there. I think the key is that they built a unique niche in boutique hotels. Look how Fasano has grown across the country. And I think as well there is a home grown love of Brazilian brands, like Fasano, given the connections of that family to the wealthy there. So in some sense you are right…the large scale luxury brands can’t make it there…but the Brazilian ones that are connected can.
I’ve been going to Brazil- rio, São Paulo, etc for years. I was nervous the first time but afterwards it was fine. Use the safe in your room and only carry the cash or card you need when you go out. Use common sense and be aware of surroundings and you’re fine. In rio all you need is a swimsuit, a little cash, and flip flops for the beach. You’re set!
São Paulo might not be a tourist city but if you like big cities it’s worthwhile. Great museums, fantastic restaurants, good parks
You are correct. Like in any big world city just don’t be stupid and you will be fine. As you said, Sao Paulo is probably my favorite place for dining anywhere in the world. If you are looking for the finest Meat, European, Middle Eastern or Japanese restaurants, Sao Paulo is hard to beat.
@Santastico. Glad you brought up the Middle Eastern food. Everything I have ever learned about Lebanese food has been in S.P.
Brazil has the largest Lebanese and Japanese and the second Italian communities outside their countries and mostly concentrated in Sao Paulo. Thus, you will find the best of those cuisines there.
You are correct. Brazilians with money prefer local high end hotels. Corporate won’t pay for those.
Does the same company manage this as the GH in Rio (Barra)? For one, the soap is the same, and I love it so much, I actually stock my kitchen and bathroom with it here in Austin. I also saw some similarities between the Grand Lounge here and in Rio, and really the entire approach to more or less operating normally during the pandemic. Brazil looks to be spoiled with two great Grand Hyatts.
I was really looking forward to this review, and now I regret not staying here my last two visits to SP. As previously mentioned by others, I love the Renaissance’s location right off Av. Paulista, but this looks like a dang good property. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay, I’m 100% staying here next time I’m in SP.
Matthew, did you notice if there was a helo taxi service to avoid the 90+ minutes spent in surface traffic? If so, did you consider it, and is there an area helo pad for air taxi service close to the Hyatt? Curious.
There are. Sao Paulo has the largest fleet of helicopters in the world since the traffic is a nightmare.
https://www.aviationpros.com/fbos-tenants/blog/21080230/eight-facts-you-didnt-know-about-the-brazilian-private-aviation-market
Sorry Matthew, I’m unclear. When you asked for a late checkout and were asked to advise to vacate your suite by 4pm, does that mean the hotel gives you another room until 8pm?
Yes, I had to move to a standard room (the second set of room pictures) in order to extend my checkout from 4pm (standard for Globalists) to 8pm.