Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Via Contorno Hotel, Belo Horizonte
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits? Okay, Let's Talk About Via Contorno Hotel, Belo Horizonte (Brace Yourself!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. You’re about to get the REAL deal on the Via Contorno Hotel in Belo Horizonte. I'm talking messy, emotional, and totally unfiltered. Because frankly, those glossy travel brochures NEVER tell you the whole story, do they? So, let's dive in… and maybe grab a coffee first. God knows, I needed a LOT of them during this review.
Accessibility: The Ups and Downs (and a bit of a stumble)
Okay, so accessibility. This is where things got… interesting. The website boasted everything, all the bells and whistles, wheelchair access, you name it. Now, I don't personally use a wheelchair, but I'm always hyper-aware of accessibility for my friends. And let's just say… the reality sometimes felt a little less seamless than the marketing promised. While the elevators and common areas appeared to be accessible, navigating some of the pathways felt a bit…tight. Like, "hold your breath and hope you fit" tight. A small thing, maybe, but it makes a difference. More signage, maybe a wider door here and there… you know, the usual tweaks.
On-Site Grub: A Feast or a Fiasco? (Mostly Feast, With Some Hiccups)
Right, food. This is where the Via Contorno mostly redeemed itself.
Restaurants & Lounges: Multiple options, which is a definite win. Let's be honest, one of my favorite parts of hitting a hotel. The buffet, Breakfast [buffet], was a glorious spread. The Asian Breakfast was pretty good, offering a lighter option that I welcomed. There were also a couple of restaurants offering [International Cuisine in restaurant], which was nice. But what grabbed my attention was the Poolside bar: I spent a solid afternoon there, soaking up the sun and sipping cocktails. Pure bliss.
The Imperfection: Now, the wait for food was a little long at times. Like, "is my order lost in translation?" long. Sometimes it felt like they'd take 30 minutes to bring me a simple salad! But the staff were always apologetic, kind, and genuinely seemed to care. I forgave them eventually.
My Absolute Favorite Detail: The coffee shop. I spend a lot of time there. And the coffee was pretty damn good. Essential condiments, and everything you really need.
Spa & Relaxation: From Body Scrubs to Bliss (Almost)
After a day of being out, I was in need of a little pampering:
The Spa: The [Spa] was a serious highlight. The [Body wrap] was amazing. The [Sauna] was hot and steamy in the best possible way. The [Pool with view] was just stunning.
The Fitness Center: I dragged myself to the gym once. Once! It was well-equipped, but let's just say the allure of the pool and a cocktail won out in the end.
My Emotional Reaction: I left the spa feeling like a new person. Like I could conquer the world (or at least, find a decent coffee shop). Seriously, the massage was pure magic. My shoulders, which usually feel like they're carrying the weight of the entire universe, felt soft and relaxed. That's worth its weight in gold, folks.
Cleanliness & Safety: Germaphobe Approved (Mostly)
The Via Contorno REALLY took COVID precautions seriously, and I was so happy to see it.
Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, hand sanitizer everywhere: This was reassuring! It was apparent with the number of [Hand sanitizer] around
Room sanitization opt-out available; individually-wrapped food options: Those things made it feel like they really cared about guests' well-being.
Imperfection: One tiny area where it wavered: The outdoor areas could have been cleaned more frequently.
Rooms: My Little Fortress of Solitude (Mostly)
The room itself? Pretty damn good.
The Essentials: Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi (THANK GOD), a comfy bed, all the usual suspects. I loved the [Bathrobes], I spent the whole of one afternoon just working in my robe.
My Biggest Freakout: During my stay, I found my [Mini bar] empty, not even a bottle of water. My life was nearly ruined! They got me water, and a mini-bar loaded with things.
The Extras: [Blackout curtains] were key for sleeping in, and the [Slippers] were a nice touch.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and Annoy)
The Perks: Free car park [free of charge], Concierge, Dry cleaning and 24 hour room service.
The Gripes: The Wi-Fi was sometimes flaky in some areas, which was incredibly frustrating when I was trying to work (though free Wi-Fi in all rooms was a lifesaver).
For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Family-Friendly-ish?
I didn't travel with kids, so I can't give a definitive answer. But the [Babysitting service] and [Family/child friendly] aspects seemed good.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy (Mostly)
Plenty of options. [Airport transfer], [Car park [on-site], [Taxi service] was readily available.
The only negative: I hate driving in Belo Horizonte!
Overall Verdict: Worth It? (Definitely, with a Few Caveats)
Look, the Via Contorno Hotel isn’t perfect. But it’s a solid choice. The food's great, the spa is heavenly, the rooms are comfortable, and they take COVID precautions seriously. While there are a few areas where they could improve (accessibility being a primary one), I'd still recommend it, especially if you're looking for a relaxing and luxurious experience. Just be prepared for a little bit of imperfection, because, let's be honest, that's life, right?
Sun Moon Lake's Hidden Gem: The Crystal Inn Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because planning a trip to Belo Horizonte at the Via Contorno Hotel? Sounds glamorous, right? Narrator voice Spoiler alert: it rarely is. This is going to be messy, honest, and probably a little… ranty. Here’s my attempt at a travel itinerary, fueled by coffee, anxiety, and the nagging feeling I’ve forgotten something vital (like, my passport, maybe?).
Via Contorno Hotel, Belo Horizonte: An Itinerary of Mild Chaos
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Unknown (or, “Where the Heck is Customs?”)
8:00 AM - Arrival Anxiety (The Airport Shuffle): Okay, so I thought I’d packed well. Then I got slammed with jetlag, the suitcase exploded, and I'm pretty certain I left a charger behind at the security check. The airport is a labyrinth. Finding the customs queue is like being in a particularly cruel game show (the prize? Being allowed into the country). Brazilian customs officers… let's just say they have patience. Which I do NOT. Bleh.
9:30 AM - Taxi Trauma (Negotiation is a Blood Sport): Finding a taxi? Another adventure! This isn't like hailing a cab in New York. Each taxi driver is essentially a contestant in a 'Price is Right' style bidding war. "Quanto? Quanto?" It all sounds the same to a sleep-deprived, language-deficient tourist. Eventually, after much gesturing and the feeling that I'm about to accidentally agree to marry the driver, I get a price. Am I being ripped off? Probably. Do I have the energy to care? Absolutely not.
11:00 AM - Via Contorno Hotel: Is it a Dream or a Reality? The hotel itself. It's…fine. Clean enough. The air conditioning might work. The view? Let's just say it overlooks a busy road. But hey, it’s a roof and a bed. And right now I'm just happy to not be sleeping on a bench in the airport.
12:00 PM - Lunch Fiasco (The Language Barrier Strikes Again): Google Translate is my new best friend… and also my worst enemy. The restaurant down the street. I pointed at a photo of food. I thought I ordered a salad. I got… a mountain of something that looked vaguely green. Turns out it was some kind of local delicacy involving, I don't know, 20 different kinds of leaves. And a very spicy pepper. Which I promptly choked on. My face is still red. I am dying.
2:00 PM - Recovering and the Nap of Legends: Seriously, I think I'm just going to collapse. A well-earned nap. Hopefully, I won’t wake up convinced I've been abducted.
6:00 PM - Procrastination and Exploration – A Quick Stroll (and Regret): Feeling a bit more human. I will go out… I'm going to try to walk around the neighborhood a little, but the heat is intense. Should I do it? Maybe I'll just curl up with a book…
7:30 PM - Dinner at Hotel (aka giving up) I have zero energy. Okay, time for room service.
Day 2: The Minas Gerais "Experience," which is Mostly Getting Lost
8:00 AM - Breakfast Buffet Debacle: The breakfast buffet at the hotel. It's… prolific! So many pastries, bread rolls, and… strange meats. I try a little of everything. I don't recognize any of it. One item makes me question my life choices. Too much coffee is my coping mechanism of choice.
9:00 AM - Objective: Inhotim. Subjective: Panic. Okay, so. I planned to visit Inhotim, the amazing contemporary art museum and botanical garden. Beautiful pictures! It's about an hour outside of Belo Horizonte. I've researched buses, Ubers, etc. But…the thought of actually doing it is giving me a full-blown anxiety attack. This morning, I'm torn between it being a beautiful adventure and the sheer terror of getting lost in the Brazilian countryside and becoming an art exhibit myself. Maybe Monday.
10:00 AM - Coffee and Contemplation (or, "Why am I doing this again?"): Back in my room. Drinking a LOT of coffee. Seriously considering just staying here, ordering more room service, and catching up on everything I miss. Home, family, pets… I really miss my cat.
12:00 PM - The Pursuit of the Perfect Pão de Queijo (A Quest for Glory): I MUST find the perfect pão de queijo, the cheesy bread that's a staple in Minas Gerais. I set off on a mission to find the best. This will probably involve more walking (and potential wrong turns).
1:00 PM - Pão de Queijo Discovery (The Bread Gods Have Spoken): After some searching and multiple disappointing attempts, I find a bakery. And it delivers. A warm, cheesy, perfect pão de queijo. This is it. This is the moment. I feel a surge of pure joy. I will remember this bread forever!
3:00 PM - City Tour-ish. More Regrets. Attempt to navigate the city center. I get very easily lost, and the heat is oppressive. I am not made for heat. The traffic is crazy, the sidewalks are uneven, and everything is starting to look the same.
6:00 PM - Drinks to Forget (and possibly remember): Find a bar, not the fancy ones, a local, loud beer garden (boteco). Drinking a Caipirinha (or three). Feeling slightly better, but still lost.
8:00 PM - Dinner, Again. A Repeat Performance of the Last Day I don't know, maybe I'll just eat a pizza in my room.
Day 3: The "Almost Did Something" Day
9:00 AM - Inhotim 2.0: The Great Debate (and the Ultimate Surrender): I seriously consider going to Inhotim again. I've talked myself into it. I've looked up the bus routes. I even have a map! Then I check the weather forecast. Rain. Heavy rain. Defeat. We're staying in.
10:00 AM - The Hotel Room Abyss: What to do? What to do? I try to read. I try to write. I scroll through my phone. I eat all the snacks I bought the first day. I stare at the wall. This is the part of travel where I question my entire existence.
12:00 PM - Lunch Mishap 3.0 (The Mystery Meat Returns): Ordered room service again. This time I sort of know what I'm getting. No surprises. Good.
2:00 PM - A Bold Plan (The Coffee Shop Strategy): Walk to a coffee shop. I'll brave the heat. I'll try to communicate with the barista, even if it means resorting to charades. Coffee is definitely needed.
3:00 PM - Coffee Shop Success! (and a fleeting moment of bliss): I found a coffee shop! And the coffee is decent. And I managed to order a pastry WITHOUT a major language meltdown. There is hope!
4:00 PM - The End is Nigh – Packing Panic: I start to pack. This is always a moment of pure dread. Are my clothes clean? Did I buy enough souvenirs? Did I forget anything vital? The list goes on and on.
6:00 PM - Farewell to the Bed (of Comfort and Mild Discomfort): A final, wistful look at the hotel room. It’s been… an experience. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, but I survived.
8:00 PM - Final Dinner Fiasco: I find a restaurant. I choose a dish and I realize that I still don't know the language. I smile and nod a lot. I think I know what I ordered, but hey if there is a surprise at least I know I'll probably have a decent time to figure it out and have fun.
Day 4: Departure (Freedom? Or Just More Anxiety?)
6:00 AM - The Dawn of Departure (aka, "Did I set an alarm?"): The absolute worst time of day. Wake up at an ungodly hour. Check, double-check, and triple-check that I have everything. Pray that the taxi shows up.
**7:00 AM
Okay, spill the tea: Is this Via Contorno Hotel *really* as swanky as the brochures make out?
The Location, The Location, The Location: Is it actually *convenient* for seeing the sights in Belo Horizonte, or just pretending to be?
Let's talk food. Is the breakfast buffet *really* as legendary as the Tripadvisor reviews claim?
Okay, fine, what about the rooms? Are they as stylish as they look in the photos? And how *comfortable* are they, like, actually?
What's the *vibe* like, overall? Is it stuffy and pretentious, or just… nice?
Let’s talk about *that* pool. Because, well, *that* pool looks phenomenal. Is it worth the hype?
What about the spa? Are the treatments as luxurious as the rest of the hotel?
