HotelChilli

Hotel Chilli used to be great a few years back, but it has become an expensive, downhill experience. ​A couple of years ago, during Pride, I visited the place with a friend. There was a massive two-hour queue to enter. Once inside, there were no flip-flops available, the second-floor bathroom was flooded, the place was dirty, and it was packed. The bar only had two people working, and to make things worse, the lockers glitched and would not open. When the manager reset the system, ALL the lockers opened at once. Luckily, I was next to mine when this happened, but many people weren't, leaving their belongings completely exposed. ​I returned a few other times, and there was always an issue: cabins with non-functioning lights, perpetually flooded showers, slow checkouts, and bad attitudes from the staff. ​I went again during this year's Pride, and what a miserable experience: * ​A two-hour queue just to enter. * ​There were around 450+ people inside and NO WATER in the upstairs showers and bathrooms. * ​There were only two functioning showers for 450+ people on the ground floor. And only because management had converted two private cabins to open shower rooms. * ​The place was filthy; the toilets on the upper floors resembled latrines. ​I went back to reception just 10 minutes after walking in. I stated that I did not want to stay in a venue where I couldn't even shower, that I wanted to leave, and that I shouldn't be charged. The receptionist simply replied, "That will not be possible." ​For that dismal experience, I paid around R$450. ​The place has become an overpriced establishment that fails to deliver the basic services you pay premium money for.

I just went today (Fri 15 May'26) for the first time. I was reluctant to come thinking it was Friday and might not be worth it. Oh dear, how wrong was that thought! Despite being an ordinary Friday without any special event in the city or at the venue itself, and it's not month-end, I arrived towards 7 p.m. and it was reasonably busy already. Then more and more people started to come at 8 onwards. (P.S. I didn't get to stay much longer because I have a morning flight 😖) Imagine how busy it could be at weekend! Most clientele are either fit or blessed (or both!). I didn't spot any untouchable posers. Most guys were ready to have a good time, but of course you need to accept and respect that not everyone is for everyone. The place itself is clean, though I spotted some improvement work in progress in the toilets and shower room. Staff were professional and friendly. I didn't sense any drama queens with bad attitude behind the till. The price is accurate on the website. No drinks included, although you could ask for a tap water from the bar. Towel is charged separately (BRL20 on my visit), not sure if you could bring your own. Flips flops are available for free, no need to bring your own. It's not my first visit to Sao Paulo, so I'm not sure why I never came here on previous visits. If you're visiting SP and have been thinking about checking out this place, just come and have a good time!

I returned to Brazil to visit the sauna because some friends who live in Brazil and frequent Chilli Pepper recommended it and spoke very highly of it. When I arrived, I was very well received by the security team, and the security guard who searched me spoke English and was very helpful. I really enjoyed the experience and the attention from the security guard Eduardo, who gave me impressive attention and helped me a lot when I felt unwell inside. The only thing that bothered me was the hygiene on the second floor, but otherwise, Chilli Pepper deserves praise. I will return to Brazil more often and will definitely go back to the sauna. 😃

The steam bath was broken and the sauna not very warm and smelly. A pitty, because with a little more maintenance the place would be great.

Why over 300 reviews cant be wrong Review of Hotel Chile As a professional travel blogger, I approached Hotel Chile with curiosity and high expectations. Before writing this piece, I carefully read through more than 300 guest reviews, one by one, and what I found was troubling. The weight of feedback is not mixed but overwhelmingly negative. Guests consistently report that the hotel is overpriced for the level of service provided. Staff are frequently described as rude, with claims of arbitrary overcharging, while the prices for drinks are far beyond reasonable. Fundamental comforts — such as hot showers, clean rooms, and adequate lighting — are often missing, leaving many to question whether this is truly a hotel experience at all. Concerns run deeper than just poor service. Reviews repeatedly note that the reported number of people inside the venue does not match reality, suggesting an effort to mislead guests about how busy or popular the establishment really is. Safety both inside and outside the property is also a recurring theme: the second floor, for example, is described as being completely unlit, leaving guests feeling exposed and vulnerable. The surrounding area is frequently viewed as unsafe, which may not be within the hotel’s direct control but certainly affects its appeal. Tourists are further discouraged by the requirement to carry passports or ID into such an environment, a practice that places them at unnecessary risk. Most shocking of all is the mention of a death occurring on the premises, to which management has never publicly responded — a silence that raises serious concerns about accountability. As a Black man from Europe, I find these reports particularly disheartening. The level of professionalism, inclusivity, and service that one expects in Europe is absent here. If there is even a perception of prejudice or elitism, whether from staff or patrons, the hotel is excluding entire groups of potential guests. Adding to this distrust are what appear to be fabricated five-star reviews, often posted under the same name, which attempt to drown out genuine criticism rather than address it. I had originally considered staying at Hotel Chile for a night or two during my travels in Brazil. After studying the feedback, I will not. The reality presented by hundreds of past guests paints a picture of a poorly managed establishment that fails on service, safety, and credibility. The feedback is dire, and while I have emphasized the negative, it is simply because the majority of reviews leave no other impression. If Hotel Chile is to have any future, it cannot continue along its current path. It must reconsider its entire business model and make drastic, visible changes based on the feedback it has received. Until then, I cannot recommend this establishment to any traveler. Fortunately, Brazil offers many reputable saunas and hotels that provide real value, safety, and genuine hospitality. My advice is clear: avoid Hotel Chile and place your trust in businesses that respect both their guests and their reputation.