Grande Hotel de Ouro Preto

We decided to stay in the Grande Hotel de Ouro Preto because it was one of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer's first projects. We enjoyed our stay very much, though it was like going back to the 1940's when it was built, even though it had been renovated in 1993. The location of the hotel was excellent for exploring Ouro Preto, and there were quite a few restaurants nearby. Our room was on 2 levels. The entry level had a living area and a large balcony with a beautiful view of the town. From the lower level, a curved wooden staircase went to the second floor where the bedroom and bathroom were. The bedroom has a beautiful view of the gardens and hillside behind the hotel. We definitely recommend getting a room like this, rather than the smaller rooms which only face the back of the hotel. The furnishings are by no means luxurious or fancy, but are basic and comfortable. The public area is quite barren, though it does have several interesting old pieces of furniture that fit in well with the 1940's ambiance. We liked the included breakfast very much. Some other reviewers had criticized the breakfast, but we found that there was enough variety to keep us happy for the three days we were there. All the room entrances are one level up from the reception area and there is no elevator. However, nowhere in Ouro Preto is suitable for people with mobility issues. So if someone can't manage going up one floor without an elevator, they wouldn't be able to manage Ouro Preto. We liked Ouro Preto very much, and if we ever return, we would definitely stay at this hotel again.