Although the sign on the building says Hilton, it’s nothing like any Hilton. This hotel is a basic hotel, more like a Motel 6 or other low quality hotel.
The lobby, restaurant and pool area are not bad. They are not great, but it’s ok. The location, like the Crown Plaza, is good; right in the center and close to the docks area with restaurants.
The problem lies in the rooms; they are small, have limited facilities and don’t have much space for anything. The floor is a cold tile, the furniture is basic and old. The bathroom is really bad, small and not functioning properly. The shower is low, so that the water gets everywhere, including on the ceiling where it then drops on you again. Many things are kinda rigged, like the hairdryer.
The internet is very unreliable and slow. It can be down for a few minutes or half a day and this downtime happens frequently every day. The speed is not sufficient to place audio calls, let alone video calls. Emails might download if you are lucky.
There is no benefit for Hhonors Diamond status customers. On my last few visits, although they had my correct number (I asked for them to tell me the number they had for me on my reservation) the check-in staff did not recognize me as Diamond, did not tell me about any benefit (like free internet), nor talked about an upgrade, breakfast or anything. In fact, they did not mention the rooms, breakfast or internet at all.
So again, I got the basic room. Not that this is important, because on my first previous visit, I got a standard room also. Once I was unpacked, an employee came and told me that they had figured out I was Diamond and that they had upgraded my room. So I packed up and we went one floor up, to the new room. It turned out to be exactly (100%) the same room, just on the executive floor. The only difference between the regular floor and the executive floor, is a sign on the executive floor that says “executive floor”.
The gym is very old. The equipment is in bad shape and not up to date. It’s a mix of very old and old pieces of equipment. The treadmill is difficult to use because the speed fluctuates, making it easy to loose balance and fall. In addition, the treadmill is small and narrow. The one staff person does not interact with hotel guests, just his friends. When I went to the gym, there was no AC. So, in the middle of the tropics, working out in a gym that is hot. You get the idea.
In case you ask why I have been going back, it’s only the few times that the client was at this hotel. On other occasions I’ve been staying at the Crown Plaza, close by. The Crown Plaza is a new, modern, better facilitated and overall a real Crown Plaza. It might be a bit more expensive, but you get a proper quality hotel.
My co-workers are almost Diamond members, they share the same concerns about this hotel, it is not just me.
In short, don’t expect a Hilton at the Hilton Belem, expect a motel 6.
Room Tip: Stay at the crown plaza
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
21 July 2011
DutchinFL, thanks for your comments, we appreciated your fidelity for Hilton. I´m the new Sales Manager here and we are working and training our staff to serve you and our guests in the best way.
I hope we can have a second opportunity to show you our service, and please fell free to contact me in your next trip to Brazil, Fernando.bacala@hilton.com , best regards and hope see you soon
Fernando Bacalá
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC