It's great to find a clean, dependable hotel operating at the three to four star level in Sao Paulo. The hotel is bright, clean and works well. Nothing special, unless you have taken pot-luck at other SP hotels in this price range! About the prices - the latest management has tried to nudge them upwards, and coupled with quite dramatic increases in the Real's exchange rate, they are no longer the bargain they were. But there's some negotiating space, especially at weekends.

The location, in Centro, by Republica park, is what many call "gritty". It's certainly not got the swanky style of parts of the Jardins, but the main streets are busy enough to mean that security isn't a major issue. The big plus in terms of location is the Republica metro station, and the Airport bus station less than five minutes' walk away. The main sights of the Centro district (National theatre, catheral, Sao Bento) make up a circuit easily accomplished on foot.

The airport bus is the best way of getting to Republica if you are on your own (BRL33), direct and non-stop. But for two or more a taxi starts looking attractive at around BRL90 (taxis from the airport are a set-fare, pre-paid deal).

Pros/Likes:
- Big nice clean room with flat-screen TV, two tables, and three chairs.
- Free in-room wi-fi (though you can pay more if you want faster speed; free was more than adequate for me).
- Complimentary breakfast in the restaurant with excellent cold and hot choices including strong coffee, just the way I like it.
- In-room safe.
- Minibar with available space to store your own drinks.
- Nice big clean bathroom with a strong shower and a bidet, always a treat.
- Seven-minute walk to the nearest metro station plus lots of places to eat nearby.
- Fast efficient friendly check-out.

Cons/Dislikes:
- Confusion at check-in because the hotel did not have my Travelocity reservation, which was not resolved satisfactorily until four days later.
- No kleenex!
- Alarm clock was not working (time and radio were indeed working fine); though they do provide wake-up service.
- Outside noise from busy street (mostly cars) though it was not constant and not loud but still a problem so request an inside room.
- Inside noise, especially from another room's loud flushing toilet!

Neutral:
- Whether this is a good location is subject to debate. This is a middle-class neighborhood closer to downtown than other posh areas of the city. I liked it as I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the city. Also notice that there are a handful of gay bars around. Felt very safe at night and used a combination of walking/metro/taxis to get around.
- Bed was just acceptable with mattress neither too soft or too hard and decent covers but nothing plush though beware if you are over 6-foot tall as your feet will end up dangling over the edge of the bed; i.e., it's not a long bed.
- Room Service: Bad soup, good risotto...delivered in 20 minutes.
- Two PCs with a printer in Business Center but charging for internet access; i.e., not free.

Miscellaneous:
- Simple exercise room with the basic weights/machines but did not actually try it.
- Unisex sauna but did not try it.
- Saw a mix of business people (including an Asian group) and vacationers (mostly Brazilian/Latin American) staying here; never saw children.
- Unclear as to the degree of English spoken by hotel staff as I was getting by with my basic Portuguese.

Impression:
Good value for the money but heed my review

I required the reservation online, filling in a form, on March 26th. Since I didn't receive any confirmation, I called later on the same day and the attendant informed me that I should wait for the e-mail and the promotional rate was valid only for reservations online. On the same phone call I checked the availability and the lady affirmed that yes, there were rooms available. I had filled in the form, there were rooms available and all I had to do was wait for the confirmation e-mail, which arrived ELEVEN DAYS LATER, on April 6th. My reservations were supposed to be for April 9th! And on the e-mail I was informed that there was no vacacy! Needless to say I was surprised and very pissed off. Specially because I wrote them back and they wanted me to give the number of the reservation made through the phone, ignoring what I explained AND ignoring the fact that the rate was valid only online.
After explaining everything all over again, I got no response whatsoever. Nor an offer of another room, not even an APOLOGY which is UNACCEPTABLE!
This HOTEL only CONTACTED me 11 days later!!! And there was vacancy at the time I required the reservation...
The reason of our trip was the U2 concert. We had bought our concert and plane tickets, and because of Bourbon Business Hotel, we didn't have where to stay. I looked for all the other affordable hotels and they were all full.

I stayed at the Bourbon following a recommendation from a travel agent. I was looking for a central and convenient location for a decent price, and that's what I got - not more, not less.

I arrived very early on a nightbus from Rio, the room was only available from noon, so I had breakfast and went for a walk to the nearby city center. The hotel is located on a relatively quiet side-street close to Praca da Republica, and in walking distance (15min) to the banking district.

Check-in went smoothly, the single room was okay, a bit smelly and with paperthin walls. Aircon worked well, minibar was refilled reliably, and the bed was okay.

Receptionist on early morning checkout did not speak any english, the porter had to translate, which was a bit surprising in a business hotel in Sao Paulo, with many international guests staying, but we sorted it out.