a report from Florianopolis BRASIL

Why come here? Well, for me, I was invited by the Santa Catarina Government as a meeting planner to see what the city has to offer. What did that really mean? Nothing. No one has shown me a single thing; activity, tour, reason to come. So, upon some of my own investigations, here is what I have learned

1. The hotel has only two good business hotels. One is a Brasilian local brand and the other a Sofitel. I should have stopped there and known better than to book. I never trust the local brands.... too inconsistent, and the Sofitel sure got off on the wrong foot with me at check in! I entered lobby at 11am to be told my room is ready but check in is 2pm and if I wanted to access room now, there would be a half day charge. Half day!? They made the one sin for me... offering a service that has no cost to them and then wanting to charge for it. Did they know I was here at request of Sanata Catarina government, certainly they did. I should have stayed asleep in Sao Paulo. My blood pressure started rising.
2. The Sofitel is a updated property; the beds are comfortable, shower is ok, room is small but comfortable. The breakfast in the restaurant is sad. All in all, not a luxury property as branded but ok.
3. The taxi cab ride from the airport to Floripa (the center city) was expensive! More than Sao Paulo or Rio. The ride was long but also the taxi meter started at double the price. I thought this was just unique to airport but when I went to dinner last night, I realized that is the starting rate for all taxis.
4. They have 1 good churrascaria; Ataliba (www.churrascariasataliba.com.br) but it doesnt hold a candle to what you find in Rio.
5. The city center is not really walkable. No beach, just a beautiful bay lapping on a rocky shore. Great scenery, nice walking paths along the water, no swimming.
6. I like big cities and I like small villages. The first because of the number of activities and choices and the second to get a feel for the life away from the bulk of tourism. This is neither. It is in between with nothing of interest that I know about.

So, why come to Florianopolis? Don't. Go to Rio, the Amazon, Salvador.... so many other exciting places in Brasil!
I am ready to leave now. Too bad I have no time left to stop in Rio and end on a high/happy note, but I have to head home and back to the office. Rio will have to wait for a few months.