Escape to Paradise: Manferrari Hotel Contagem, Brazil Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Manferrari Hotel in Contagem, Brazil. Forget those sterile, perfectly-polished hotel reviews. This is real. This is messy. This is me, after a week of caipirinhas and questionable Portuguese, trying to tell you whether or not you should book this place.
The Promise: Escape to Paradise… Did They Deliver?
Okay, the tagline is bold. "Escape to Paradise." Let's see if they came even close.
First Impressions & the Grind (Accessibility & Safety - Ugh, the Mundane but Necessary)
Right off the bat, let's get the serious stuff out of the way. I'm not wheelchair-bound, but I did check on accessibility. The website claims they have Facilities for disabled guests, but specifics were vague. I'd strongly recommend contacting them directly if you need detailed info. Elevator? Check. (Thank GOD, because this place is sprawling.)
Safety? They claim to care. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside the property, 24-hour Security, and Smoke alarms in the rooms. I didn't see any lurking shadows or suspicious characters, so, good start. Fire extinguisher? Check. First aid kit? Hopefully they have one, but I didn't need it. Check-in/out [express] and Check-in/out [private]? I think I saw both options, depending on how much you're willing to tip… just kidding, kinda.
The COVID Circus: Hygiene & Cleanliness - Did They Actually Clean?
Okay, this is where my inner germaphobe (who I usually keep under wraps) had a field day. Anti-viral cleaning products? Good. Daily disinfection in common areas? I saw people wiping things down. Hand sanitizer? Everywhere! Rooms sanitized between stays? Rooms sanitized between stays – I hope so. Individually-wrapped food options? Yes, thankfully. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Mostly. Brazilians are huggers, but they tried. Safe dining setup? I felt reasonably safe, though I'm not sure anything really feels safe these days. Staff trained in safety protocol? They seemed to know what they were doing, bless their hearts. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? I didn't get sick, so… success? They also had Sterilizing equipment and Hygiene certification, all of which made me breathe a little easier. Cashless payment service? Yup, thank goodness for that. Contactless check-in/out? The future is now, people.
The Room: My Sanctuary… or My Prison?
Okay, the room. This is where it gets personal.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone (seriously?), Bathtub, Blackout curtains (bless!), Carpeting (a bit dated, but hey, it's clean!), Closet, Coffee/tea maker (essential!), Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed (SCORE!), Free bottled water, Hair dryer (worked!), High floor (my preference!), In-room safe box (used it!), Interconnecting room(s) available (didn't need it, but good to know!), Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]!), Ironing facilities (didn't use, but nice!), Laptop workspace (yup!), Linens (clean!), Mini bar (stocked!), Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies (meh), Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator (good!), Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (judgemental, but present), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub (luxury!), Shower, Slippers (yay!), Smoke detector, Socket near the bed (thank the tech gods!), Sofa, Soundproofing (mostly), Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella (needed it!), Visual alarm (didn't need, but good!), Wake-up service, Window that opens (crucial!).
- Additional toilet: Not sure if all rooms have this, but mine didn't. It's a minor inconvenience.
- Room decorations: Standard hotel art, nothing to write home about.
- Soundproof rooms: Mostly. I could hear the occasional party, but it wasn't too bad.
My Room Specifics: I got the Non-smoking room (thankfully). I had an Air conditioning unit that worked, and I desperately needed it. The desk was functional (I had to do some work, ugh). The Seating area was nice. The Refrigerator was a lifesaver for my water and snacks. The Bed was comfy enough, I slept like a rock. The Bathroom… well, it was a bathroom. Nothing fancy, but clean and functional. The Bathtub was a nice touch.
The Internet Fiasco
- Internet: Yes, they do have it.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Thank God! I can’t live without the internet.
- Internet [LAN]: I didn't use it.
- Internet services: They provide.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Works, but spotty.
The Food & Booze: Fueling the Fun (or the Hangover)
- Dining, drinking, and snacking
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, they have.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Not sure.
- Asian breakfast: Never saw.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Did not find.
- Bar: Yes! (Essential!)
- Bottle of water: Provided in the room.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yes! (More on this later…)
- Breakfast service: Included.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes.
- Coffee shop: Didn't see one.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yes.
- Happy hour: Yes! (Another essential!)
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yes.
- Poolside bar: Yes! (My happy place!)
- Restaurants: Several.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes!
- Salad in restaurant: Yup.
- Snack bar: Yes.
- Soup in restaurant: Yes.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Never saw.
- Western breakfast: Yes.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Yes.
Okay, let's talk food. The Breakfast [buffet]… Oh, the Breakfast [buffet]. This is where things got interesting. It was a Buffet in restaurant of champions. Omelets made to order, fresh fruit, pastries, bread, coffee, juice… it was a feast! I may have over indulged. I also spent a lot of time at the Poolside bar, because, well, Happy hour! The cocktails were strong, the service was friendly, and the view… well, it was a pool with a view. What's not to like? The Restaurants offered a decent variety, with International cuisine and Western cuisine options. I had a particularly delicious Salad in restaurant one day.
The Relaxing Stuff: Spa Days & Sweat Sessions
- Body scrub: They had it.
- Body wrap: They had it.
- Fitness center: Yes.
- Foot bath: Not sure.
- Gym/fitness: Yes.
- Massage: Yes.
- Pool with view: Yes.
- Sauna: Yes.
- Spa: Yes.
- Spa/sauna: Yes.
- Steamroom: Yes.
- Swimming pool: Yes.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes.
I’m a big fan of Massage, so I treated myself. Heavenly. They also have a Sauna, Steamroom, and a Fitness center if you're feeling energetic. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was a godsend after a long day of exploring. I didn't try the Body scrub or the Body wrap, but they did look tempting.
The "Things to Do" (Besides Drinking Caipirinhas)
- Things to do
- ways to relax
Okay, so Contagem isn't exactly a bustling tourist hub. But the hotel offers a good base for exploring the area. I didn't go out much, but they had Meetings, Seminars, and On-site event hosting. They even have a Shrine (I didn't go in). Proposal spot? I didn't see one, but maybe if you ask nicely…
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Services and conveniences
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Probably
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my "Adventure in Contagem" – a trip that, let's be honest, is less "polished travelogue" and more "slightly deranged diary of a person who really needs a vacation." And yes, it all happens at the Manferrari Hotel, because, well, it's where I'm booked, okay?! Don't judge my life choices.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Brazilian Breakfast Debacle
- 10:00 AM (ish): Arrive at Confins Airport (CNF). After a flight that felt like I was crammed into a sardine can with a screaming toddler, I'm finally in Brazil! My suitcase, bless its heart, decided to take a scenic route via… I don't even want to know. Let's just say it's currently residing somewhere between Rio and the Amazon. Fantastic.
- 11:30 AM: Taxi to Manferrari Hotel. The drive is… an experience. The roads are a vibrant tapestry of potholes, and the driver, a lovely man named Carlos, seems to be on a personal mission to honk at everything that moves. I'm pretty sure he honked at a particularly fluffy cloud.
- 12:30 PM: Check-in. The lobby is… well, it's a hotel lobby. Functional. The receptionist is lovely, but her English is about as good as my Portuguese (which is to say, non-existent). We manage to communicate mostly through frantic hand gestures and the universal language of "I am tired."
- 1:00 PM: Room reveal! It's… not as glamorous as the pictures. Let's just say, the bedspread is giving off serious "grandma's guest room" vibes. But hey, it has air conditioning, and after that flight, that's all that matters.
- 1:30 PM: Lunch. I decide to be adventurous and try the hotel restaurant. Big mistake. The food, let's just say it was… interesting. I suspect the chef may have been experimenting with a new flavor profile: "Mystery Meat with a Hint of Regret." I ate it, though. I was starving.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Still hungry, I venture out to find a local restaurant. I'm determined to eat something that doesn't involve questionable meat. I end up stumbling into a quaint little place with a lovely outdoor area. The food is so good! After the hotel food, it's like a culinary symphony. I have a Caipirinha or two. Or three.
- 9:00 PM: Pass out. Jet lag is a beast.
Day 2: The Contagem Conundrum & Chocolate Dreams
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Starving. Breakfast at the hotel! This is where things get… interesting. Picture this: a buffet of questionable pastries, rubbery scrambled eggs, and what I think was coffee (it tasted mostly like sadness). I bravely sampled everything. My stomach is currently staging a protest.
- 8:00 AM: Decide to wander around Contagem. It's… well, it's not exactly Paris. It's a real, working Brazilian city. I find a park, but the pigeons are seriously judging my fashion choices.
- 10:00 AM: Find a chocolate store. This is a game-changer. I load up on the most amazing chocolate I've ever tasted. Seriously, I might move to Brazil just for the chocolate.
- 11:00 AM: I get a little lost. This is my specialty. I ask for directions, and end up having a lovely conversation with a woman who doesn't speak English, and I don't speak Portuguese, but we somehow understand each other. It's a moment of pure, human connection.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Repeat of yesterday's "Mystery Meat" fiasco. I swear, I think I saw a rogue carrot in the mix.
- 2:00 PM: Nap. Because, vacation.
- 4:00 PM: Chocolate, again. Seriously, I have a problem. But it's a delicious problem.
- 7:00 PM: Decide to go on a Chocolate Tour. It was amazing. I saw how they make the chocolate and I could taste the flavors and variety of the chocolate.
- 9:00 PM: Another Caipirinha. I'm starting to see why Brazilians are so happy.
Day 3: The Day I Almost Became a Samba Dancer (and Failed Spectacularly)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. I'm starting to think I should have brought my own food. Maybe a lifetime supply of granola bars.
- 9:00 AM: Decide to embrace the local culture. I sign up for a samba lesson. What could go wrong? (Everything, as it turns out.)
- 10:00 AM: Samba lesson. I am, to put it kindly, rhythmically challenged. My instructor, a beautiful woman named Maria, tries her best, but I'm pretty sure I'm doing more of a "wobbly penguin" dance. I'm pretty sure I tripped over my own feet at least 7 times.
- 11:00 AM: The lesson ends. Maria is smiling, but I can see the pity in her eyes. I'm pretty sure I owe her a therapy session.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I am too embarrassed to leave the hotel. I order room service. It's… edible.
- 2:00 PM: Explore more of the city. I find a beautiful church. I spend some time just sitting in the quiet, which is a welcome change from my chaotic life.
- 4:00 PM: Chocolate. It's a coping mechanism at this point.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. I find a restaurant where they have a special meat. It was really good.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. My body is exhausted from the Samba.
Day 4: Departure and the lingering taste of… something
- 8:00 AM: Last breakfast. I stare at the buffet with a mixture of dread and morbid curiosity. I opt for toast. Safe.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. The receptionist remembers me! We share a moment of silent understanding.
- 10:00 AM: Taxi to the airport. Hopefully my suitcase has arrived.
- 11:00 AM: Airport chaos. My flight is delayed. I buy more chocolate.
- 1:00 PM: Boarding. I look back at the Manferrari Hotel, at Contagem, and at the memories. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely. Would I go back? Maybe. Am I glad to be going home? Definitely.
Final Thoughts:
Contagem, you're a mixed bag, but you've got heart (and amazing chocolate!). The Manferrari Hotel was… an experience. Brazil, you're beautiful, confusing, and delicious. And I'm definitely going to need a vacation from my vacation. But hey, at least I have the memories (and a suitcase full of chocolate) to prove I was there. Now, time to go home and recover. And maybe, just maybe, learn how to samba. (Probably not.)
Vatican City Views: Your Dream Rome Apartment Awaits!
Okay, so... Manferrari Hotel Contagem. Is it REALLY Paradise? Or just… Contagem?
Alright, let's be real. "Paradise" is a *big* word. Look, Contagem, Brazil, isn't exactly the Maldives. But *Manferrari*? It tries, bless its heart! Think of it as… your friendly, slightly-rough-around-the-edges cousin who *really* wants to impress you with a home-cooked meal. It's got charm, it's got… character (that's putting it kindly sometimes!), and it's definitely memorable. Paradise? Maybe after a few caipirinhas. And a good night's sleep. Honestly, the jet lag on the way over? Don't even get me started. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right?
What's the vibe like? Is it all sleek, modern luxury, or… something else?
“Sleek, modern luxury”? Honey, no. Think… *effort*. The Manferrari Hotel (and I say "Hotel" with a slight eyebrow raise) is… let's call it "eclectic." Picture this: a lobby with maybe a slightly mismatched sofa, a few dusty plants that *might* be real, and a guy at the front desk who seems to have seen it all (and probably has). It’s got a real "lived-in" feel, which, on the one hand, is comforting. On the other hand, makes you wonder how *long* it's been lived in. There’s a certain… *rustic* charm. Or, you know, maybe just rustic. But the staff? They're lovely. Truly. Always smiling, always trying to help, even if their English is a bit… limited. Which, let's be honest, adds to the charm. (And the confusion at breakfast).
The food. Tell me about the food. Specifically, the breakfast. Because breakfast is important.
Breakfast. Ah, breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. Look, I'm a breakfast person. I LIVE for breakfast. And the Manferrari breakfast? It’s an experience. There’s the usual suspects: bread, fruit (the mangoes are *divine*, when they're in season), coffee (strong, very strong), and some kind of scrambled eggs that… well, let's just say they’re *memorable*. I have a vivid memory of the first time: I walk into the breakfast room, bleary-eyed, and there it is: a buffet spread that is… *enthusiastic*. The eggs, a pale yellow, sat there, looking a little lonely, like they’d had a rough night. I tried them. They weren’t bad, exactly. Just… different. And then there's the *pão de queijo* – cheese bread. Oh, the *pão de queijo*! They're warm, cheesy, and disappear faster than you can say "bom dia." Get there early, people. Seriously. Because if you don’t, you’re missing out on the best part of the whole breakfast. I’d almost go back just for the *pão de queijo*. Almost.
Are the rooms… clean? Because cleanliness is next to godliness, and I'm not feeling particularly godly right now.
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room. Cleanliness. It's… acceptable. Look, it's not the Four Seasons. The sheets are clean, the towels are… well, they're *there*. The bathroom is functional. I wouldn't go poking around in the corners with a UV light, let's put it that way. But generally, it's fine. The cleaning staff are diligent, and they definitely try. The first room I got, however? Let's just say it had a *certain*… aroma. I think it was the previous guest's aftershave? Or maybe the lingering scent of the Contagem humidity? I asked to be moved. They were very accommodating. The second room was better. But still... bring some air freshener, just in case. Seriously. Just do it.
Is there a pool? Because a pool is essential for paradise.
Yes! There *is* a pool! And, honestly, it's probably the most paradisiacal thing about the whole place. It's not huge, it's not fancy, but it's there. And after a long day of… well, *being* in Contagem, a dip in the pool is absolute bliss. I spent hours there. Just floating, watching the sun set, sipping a *caipirinha* (they’re good, by the way), and pretending I was in some glamorous tropical resort. There's something incredibly relaxing about it. The water is cool, the sun is warm, and the world just… fades away. That pool? That's the real gem of the Manferrari. Seriously, if you go, spend time by the pool. It's worth it. Just, you know, maybe bring your own towel.
What about the location? Is it easy to get around? What's nearby?
Okay, the location. It’s… Contagem. It's not exactly in the heart of the action. You’re not going to be stumbling out of the hotel and into a samba club. You're going to be… in Contagem. Which is… fine. It's not a tourist hotspot. You're going to need to take taxis or Ubers to get around. There are some restaurants nearby, but don't expect Michelin-star dining. It’s mostly local stuff. Which, honestly, is part of the charm, if you're into that. I did discover a little *pastel* shop down the street that was amazing. The *pasteis* were delicious. But if you're looking for a bustling nightlife, you're probably better off staying in Belo Horizonte. Contagem is more… low-key. Very low-key. Think of it as a base camp for exploring the surrounding area. Or a place to recover from jet lag before you start the *real* trip. Either way, plan on taxis.
Any hidden gems or things to do nearby that you'd recommend?
Hidden gems… hmm. Well, this isn't exactly a treasure trove of hidden gems. But… I stumbled upon a local market one morning. It was chaotic, noisy, and full of amazing smells. Fresh fruit, spices, and… well, everything you can imagine. It was a real sensory overload. And the people! So friendly, even though I spoke approximately zero Portuguese. I managed to buy some amazing mangoes. And then there's the… well, not a gem, but… the local park. It’s just a park5 Star Stay Find
