Be warned!

Ok let's call this my travel advisory section... no, not about dengue, or yellow fever (although the Canadian Government did issue a warning about Yellow Fever) I don't know what kind of operation they are trying to run over at the Sofitel but tourists beware - do not get a "hotel taxi" from the Sofitel in Rio!

In anticipation of moving into our new apartment tomorrow (which is apparently not happening now until next week, why am I not surprised...?) I was doing a mega-shop at Tok & Stok in Copacabana.  By the time I was finished, I had very very full arms, and it was dark and raining.  I went outside and could not find one so thought I'd go around the block to grab one at the Sofitel as taxis are usually parked outside the hotel. A very friendly woman came up to me right away and offered me a taxi - in English - asked me where I was going (not the address, just the neighbourhood) and said that it would be $R23 to get me from Copacabana to Ipanema.  Um, no it won't.  I take taxis back and forth from Ipanema to Copa all the time and further distances and the most it has ever cost was R$15.  I said to her, "That's not what it costs."  She immediately got flustered and angry and started rapidly speaking in Portuguese to me... whatever! I schlepped myself around the corner and was immediately HELPED with my stuff by three taxi drivers, one of which drove me home, for $R10 (which included a 25% tip...)

So be warned, people!

I don't like the Sofitel in Salvador much either.  The facilities and gym are ok but when staying there last year for a week with my husband I felt very slighted by the staff.  As in, when he was at work, it was difficult for me to even order a bottle of water by the pool from the service staff. But when Mr. DRL was around, they were falling over themselves to serve us so he had a hard time believing what it was like for me when he was at work all day.  But they made me feel like they thought I was a prostitute or something! It is also in a very isolated location (the hotel).

I typically have a "three strikes" policy and have heard that the dining room is good at the Sofitel here, it has a stunning view for sure... I was thinking about booking us in there for dinner for New Year's but now am not so sure...