Escape to Paradise: Palace Praia Hotel's Florianopolis Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Palace Praia Hotel - Florianopolis Oasis Awaits! - A Chaotic Review (and Why You NEED to Go!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on the Palace Praia Hotel in Florianopolis. Forget perfectly worded press releases, I'm giving you the real deal. This place… it's a journey. A glorious, sometimes slightly wonky, but ultimately amazing journey. So, let's untangle this chaotic weave.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Good Vibes
Firstly, let's talk accessibility, because that’s important. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, which is great – but the level of detail is a bit vague. I'd strongly recommend contacting the hotel directly to clarify their specific offerings. They do have an elevator, praise be, and that's a huge win. I’m not sure about the specifics of the building, but this at least opens the possibility for many guests. Hopefully, they have great ramps. Always check! And if you have extra needs, call ahead.
Okay, now that the practicalities are out of the way, let me dive in!
Rooms: Your Own Little Paradise (with a Few Quirks)
Okay, the rooms! We're told these are available: Air conditioning, which, in Florianopolis, you’ll need. There's also a desk, which I barely used (too busy staring at the ocean!), and a mini-bar – always a win for a cheeky late-night drink. Free bottled water is also a godsend. The Wi-Fi [free] is a must-have, and thankfully, they actually deliver on this promise (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!). I'd say it was reliable, but honestly, my internet usage was minimal, I was too busy blissing out. They are also non-smoking, which is a huge plus for me as a non-smoker.
Now for the quirks. My window that opens was a lifesaver for taking in the magnificent ocean breeze. You can go all fancy with a High floor room. Interconnecting room(s) available, which could be great if you are traveling with a large group. The Bathrobes are a nice touch, although I spent most of my time in a swimsuit.
I saw a room with a Sofa and I nearly died from the need to plop myself down after a long flight.
Cleanliness and Safety: They're Trying!
Okay, let's talk about COVID, because it's the elephant in the room. Anti-viral cleaning products are mentioned. The hotel offers Room sanitization opt-out available. Hand sanitizer stations dotted around are nice. Daily disinfection in common areas is a good start. Staff trained in safety protocol is reassuring. Rooms sanitized between stays. The staff were clearly making an effort, which is all you can ask, really. It's not a sterile environment, but it felt safe. Plus, the beautiful surroundings and the warm island breeze seem to do their own disinfecting, in a way.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food!
Right, food. This is where things get really interesting.
The Breakfast [buffet] is a must. Seriously. I’m not a morning person, but I actually looked forward to breakfast. The selection was vast: Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, fruits, pastries, and plenty of coffee to kickstart your day. There are Restaurants offering A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement. You can get Coffee/tea in restaurant, there is likely a Coffee shop.
I spent a lot of time at the Poolside bar. Honestly, it was a crime how many caipirinhas I drank. There's also a Snack bar for an easy bite.
My Obsession (and the Reason YOU Should Book): The Swimming Pool with a View
Okay, I need to tell you about the Swimming pool [outdoor]. The Pool with view? Forget about it. That view is insane. It's a deep, turquoise blue, blending into the horizon. Floating in that water, cocktail in hand, watching the sun dip below the ocean… that’s the definition of paradise. I’m not kidding. I spent hours just staring. It completely erased any stress I had. I'm going back.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day FTW
Okay, there's more than just pool time. You can go to the Spa, of course. I loved the Massage, the Foot bath. I wasn’t entirely sold on the Body wrap or Body scrub, but I’m sure some people love them. There is Sauna and Steamroom, Spa/sauna for the truly relaxed. And there’s a Fitness center/Gym/fitness, if you’re into that sort of thing (not me, mostly). And then there is the Swimming pool [outdoor] again, because I think that's worth another mention.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things Make a Difference
They offer the basics: Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Daily housekeeping. There is an Elevator, which is important. There's also Laundry service, which is essential for any trip! Luggage storage is a godsend. I did find that the staff were generally helpful and friendly. The Doorman was always smiling and welcoming.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
Car park [free of charge] is always a bonus. They also list Car park [on-site], Airport transfer, Taxi service, and even Valet parking. You're totally sorted for getting around.
Family Matters
They are Family/child friendly. Details are thin on the ground.
Booking Offer: Your Escape to Paradise Awaits!
Stop. Scrolling.
You've read this review. You know it's honest. You understand the chaos, the good and the (minor) bad. But most importantly, you know about that pool.
Here's the deal: Book your stay at Palace Praia Hotel in Florianopolis NOW and get:
- A complimentary cocktail (or three!) at the poolside bar. (Mention this review at check-in!)
- Early check-in (subject to availability) so you can dive into that pool ASAP.
- A special discount on spa treatments.
- Free Wi-Fi (because, duh!)
Why wait? Escape the grind, breathe in the salty air, and soak up the sun in Florianopolis. Seriously, book it. You won't regret it.
(Disclaimer: This review is completely honest – I'm not being paid to say any of this! My experience might slightly vary, but in general, the Palace Praia Hotel is a fantastic choice. Book today!)
Escape to Paradise: Luxury Awaits at Querétaro's Hidden Gem, Ex Hacienda La Pitaya
Palace Praia Hotel: My Florianópolis Tango (A Messy, Honest Itinerary)
Okay, so Florianópolis. I pictured pristine beaches, bronzed goddesses, and maybe, just maybe, learning how to actually surf without face-planting. Reality? Well, let's just say it's been a vibe. And the Palace Praia Hotel? My basecamp for this gloriously chaotic adventure. Here's the breakdown (brace yourselves, it's more like a pile of notes than a polished travel brochure):
Day 1: Arrival and Beach Brain Freeze
10:00 AM: Arrive at Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN). The air hung thick with humidity, a welcome hug after the sterile airplane cabin. Finding a cab was a freaking ordeal. Google Maps suggested a bus, which ended up being a cattle car packed tighter than a sardine can. Opted for a cab, finally.
11:30 AM: Check into the Palace Praia Hotel. First impressions? Not bad. The lobby smells faintly of chlorine and ambition, which is oddly comforting. The room? A little dated, but the balcony promised a view. And the promise of a view, a sea view, is all I needed in this moment.
- Anecdote: I swear I saw a gecko scaling the wall the moment I entered my room. Decided to name it "Gary." Gary and I are now roommates.
1:00 PM: Lunch at a beachfront shack, "Bar do Paulo," (or whatever). Ordered the peixe grelhado (grilled fish), because, well, when in Rome… or, more accurately, when in Brazil. The fish was heavenly. The caipirinhas? Even better. Feeling slightly lightheaded, but in a good way.
3:00 PM: Praia de Ponta das Canas – an unfortunate "attempt" at surfing lessons. Let me be honest, the instructor, bless his heart, looked more bored than I was. I was mostly underwater, swallowing salt water, and praying to the surfing gods. Ended with me faceplanting into the sand, feeling my bikini top shift and a general sense of defeat. That's when the beach brain freeze kicked in. My brain was literally screaming "NO MORE COLD THINGS!"
5:00 PM: Back at the hotel, showered off the saltwater, and curled up on the balcony. Feeling the after-effects of the caipirinhas. Watching the sun dip into the ocean was pure magic. Gary the gecko joined me for a moment. He seemed unimpressed.
7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel's restaurant (convenient, but a tad bland). They have a live band. The music seems slightly off-key, but the waiter is cute, so I'm willing to overlook it.
9:00 PM: Crashed. Hard.
Day 2: Island Wanderings and That Damn Pizza
8:00 AM: Woke up to the sound of seagulls and a lingering ache from the previous day's surfing fiasco. Coffee on the balcony. Gary was nowhere to be found. Maybe he eloped with another gecko.
- Quirky Observation: The light here is different. Brighter. It feels like you're bathed in a permanent soft-focus filter, which is a good thing when you're battling a tan line situation.
9:30 AM: Rented a carro (tiny little car) and decided to explore the island. Driving conditions here are… adventurous. Think narrow roads, sudden hills, and drivers who seem to believe traffic laws are merely suggestions.
- Messier Structure & Rambles: Ok, so I should have mentioned this. The road signs are… whimsical. Not always clear. I ended up completely lost. Ended up driving in circles for a freaking hour. Started to panic that I would be stuck on this island forever. Then, I finally found my way back to a main road.
12:00 PM: Stopped at Praia Mole (“Soft/Smooth Beach”). Apparently, it's a surfer's paradise. I watched for a while, feeling a mix of admiration and a little bit of envy. I will not attempt surfing again.
2:00 PM: Lunch. Decided to try this pizza place ("Pizza da Praia") near the hotel. BIG MISTAKE. Ordered a pineapple pizza. The pineapple was clearly from a can. The dough was… well, let’s just say it tasted like cardboard. The cheese was questionable. I almost threw up right in front of the kind server.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: That pizza! I can't even. It was an insult to the very concept of pizza. I am now on a personal mission to find decent pizza in Florianópolis.
4:00 PM: Found myself at Lagoa da Conceição (a lagoon). Strolled along the water’s edge, watching people paddleboat. Felt utterly relaxed, finally. This island has a hold on me, whether I like it or not.
6:00 PM: Tried a gelato place. The gelato was fantastic, making up for that awful pizza. Gary the gecko would have loved it!
7:30 PM: Back at the hotel. The sunset was even more spectacular than yesterday.
9:00 PM: Decided to just stay in, watch a movie, and eat a packet of chips. Feeling the fatigue from the previous days.
Day 5 and Beyond: A Glimpse of Paradise (and the Search for Pizza)
7:00 AM Early start to continue exploring, maybe visit a local market.
9:00 AM Beach time.
12:00 PM More pizza hunting. Maybe the local market will have some clues.
6:30 PM Going on a boat-trip.
8:00 PM Finish off the day with another sunset.
Overall Opinion: Florianópolis is messy, beautiful, and a little bit frustrating. The beaches are stunning, the food is hit-or-miss, and the driving is an adventure in itself. But the people are warm, the air is intoxicating, and there's a certain raw energy to this place that's utterly captivating. As for the Palace Praia Hotel? It's my flawed, comfortable haven. Still searching for that perfect slice of pizza, though. Wish me luck! And, Gary, if you're reading this: I'm sorry about the pizza. I hope you're happy with your life choices.
So... What *is* this thing, anyway?
Why is it so… disorganized?
Are you even qualified to answer *anything*?
Okay, let’s get down to brass tacks. What about *actual* questions? Like, what inspired you to even *do* this?
What are some of the *biggest* challenges you've faced in this whole… thing?
How did you... *start*? Like, what was your process? Did you have a plan?
What advice would you give someone *else* who's thinking of, um, doing something like this?
- Lower your expectations.Seriously. Don't aim for perfection. It's a trap. Aim for "done enough," and then move on.
- Embrace the chaos. It's going to be messy. Own it. It's part of the charm (maybe).
- Don't be afraid to be yourself. Even if "yourself" is a rambling, slightly neurotic, tea-infuser-obsessed individual. Be *authentic*. People can smell BS a mile away.
- Just start. That first sentence, the first paragraph... just get it out of you. The rest will (probably) follow.
- Take breaks. Seriously. Get up, walk around, look at something pretty. Step away from the screen. Burnout is real.
- It's okay to laugh at yourself. Honestly, it's the best part. And the most necessary.
What's the *best* part of this whole… experience?
And what's the *worst*?!
