H Niterói Hotel — Hotel in Região Geográfica Imediata do Rio de Janeiro

I stayed at H Niteroi for two nights and checked out on 31 December 2024. The room and service were lovely until checkout over a minibar invoice dispute.

When we first checked into our room, we were pleased to find a minibar. Unsure if it was complimentary or paid we checked the room for signage and pricelist. There was no signage. near the fridge; the only signs I saw in the room were one about bedding, another about towels and a piece of paper left on the bedding for guests' satisfaction and one in the cupboard for laundry. And while a phone was on the bedside table, no number was listed to call reception. I also tried to google it (a video of my browsing history can be viewed here:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dgpn7erfIUexZUwjRRxGs5qz8GZnPXv3), but there was no indication it was paid or complimentary. Using my best judgment, I concluded that it was complimentary to higher-end hotels like Indigo and Adelphi as well as other chains in Asia.

I raised this with the reception staff when I was presented with the minibar invoice I was told I should have known it was a paid minibar despite me raising the issue of no signage or a pricelist in the room. I was shown a QR code sticker in Portuguese, which I was told I should have known. This sticker was not bilingual like the signs I saw in the room. While I know Brazil is a Portuguese-speaking country, it seems discriminatory that that particular sign was only in Portuguese. In contrast, the signs I mentioned were in both Portuguese and English. Had all the signs been in only Portuguese, or if it were all in both Portuguese and English I would have no issue. But it seems it that this sign with the QR code was either only relevant to locals or made purposely difficult for foreigners who don't speak or read Portuguese to trick us. This is very poor form from the hotel management, and whoever decided it wasn't necessary to include a price list or any signage, as is standard practice.

I was also accused of stealing over what is a misunderstanding. They said a crime was being committed and that they would call the police, which is incorrect. This is a dispute over civil law, not criminal law. I did not deny consuming food from the minibar and did not try to leave the hotel premises while disputing this; it appeared to be an attempt at intimidation to get me to pay. They also tried to guilt trip me into paying, saying that it would be docked out of their pay if I didn't pay for it. If this is indeed the case, this practice by hotel management is disgusting, unethical, and illegal in many countries. I do not blame the reception staff, Erik, for this incident, as the signage in the room is not his responsibility, and I would not have had this interaction in the first place if hotel management had made the signs clearer. However, the interaction had me deeply shook me and ruined my stay...

DO NOT STAY IN THIS HOTEL. Where do i start. From check in the staff were so rude. When i arrived they just asked for my passport, took a copy and then handed me my room key. No information on where anything was, Room, breakfast, swimming pool no help what so ever. The first night I didn't stay in the hotel as my friend was having a party in his villa around 30mins drive away so I ended up just sleeping there. On the 2nd night when i returned at around 8pm. I went to bed at 4.15am I woke up to someone in my room. As soon as I asked him what are you doing in my room. He opened the door and ran out of the room. I jumped out of the bed and opened the door but he was gone. I went straight down to reception and told the staff that some man was just in my room. They replied by saying that he was there to refill the mini bar. I said that this was unacceptable that no one would goes into at room at 4.15am to refill a mini bar. They told me that I would have to speak to a manager in the morning. I repeated that this was unacceptable and that I didn't feel safe in the room or hotel they didn't care. They replied that there was nothing they could do. I went back up to my room and locked the door i searched the room, ensuite and balcony to make sure that no body else was in the room. I barricaded my self in by putting 2 chairs and my suitcase against the door. I couldn't get back asleep as I was completely freaked out. In the morning i went back down to speak to the manager philep. Who was awear of what happened and informed me that it was a misunderstanding that a staff member went to the wrong room. I told him that this was not acceptable that I did not feel safe in the room or the hotel. He assured me that it wouldn't happen again and offered me late check out and a evening meal to say sorry for the stress of the whole ordeal. Told him that I was thinking of the leaving the hotel. He didn't really care. The next 2 nights I stayed at my friend's villa and did not return to the hotel until I was checking out. Not for one minute do I believe thst he was there to refill my mini fridge as I hadn't taken anything out of it. He was up to no good. Imagine if I was a woman in the room on her own God knows what he would of done. If you are planning to stay or are already staying in this hotel make sure to block your door with a chair so you can hear someone entering your room. I'll never be staying at this hotel again. Be very aware of who can...

Overall a pleasant experience and friendly staff. Although the rooms were little outdated and a small tv that had no volume whatsoever. Anyway couple of annoying things were that on our arrival we exchanged currency at the reception, we were told that we could return any amounts left over. But when we went back we were told that they do not exchange back. Still the biggest annoyance was that they put a tray full of munchies and cookies in your room right next to the tv, which at first sight do seem like complementary. These were only very small like sample packs. We had them and the next day the item missing would be replaced by the staff. Ok we thought even if they did charge us it can only be reasonable cost. We were charged on the final bill.

Three inch high pringles box - 15 real each (about 3.50 GBP) Small cereal bar - 6 real each(about £1.50) Castanhas small pack - 12 real each (about £3.00) and couple of other things.

You can imagine the bill after about eight days. We paid about extra £70 for some munchies. What a rip off... This review is to let you guys know.. don't touch the munchies! Supermarket is only next door you probably get more for ten...