I have not been paid by any entity in any way (financially, benefits) to write this Novotel Salvador Rio Vermelho review. Any airport, airline, lounge, hotel, and or loyalty program policies may have changed since then.

The Novotel Salvador Rio Vermelho was booked through the travel agency that organized my travel, and it was a fantastic hotel that went far above my expectations after my stay at the Ibis Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro.

Quick Take: Novotel Salvador Rio Vermelho Review

Category	Rating (Out of 10)
Room Quality	✅ 8/10
Dining	✅ 8/10
Service	✅ 8/10
Location	✅ 7/10
Worth the Cost/Points	❓ N/A

The Novotel Salvador Rio Vermelho is a nice hotel located in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood of Salvador, offering comfortable and upscale accommodations by the beach.

Hotel Info

Hotel Name: Novotel Salvador Rio Vermelho
Location: Rio Vermelho/Ondina Neighborhood
Brand/Chain: Accor Group
Nights Stayed: 1 night
Room Type: Superior 2 Twin Beds
Cost: Unknown
Status: ALL Member (No status)

Overview

Built in 1993 and remodeled in 2021, this hotel features 202 rooms across 8 floors. Located in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood of Salvador, it isn’t too far from some of the city’s beach areas.

Salvador is an incredibly historic city, serving as the first capital of Brazil, and is a vibrant hub of Afro-Brazilian culture, given its history as a main arrival port for slave ships. The food, music, and history in this city are incredible, and the people are generally friendly.

As the first regional capital of Brazil, there is a ton of colonial Portuguese architecture throughout the old town. Of course, as is the case with any major city in any country, you must be aware of your surroundings. Minimize risk by leaving jewelry and valuables at home or in your hotel, and carry some cash and a card or two.

Arrival & Check-In

The hotel’s first impression was great. The lobby was well-decorated and looked inviting in a fun way, and the front desk was staffed by very friendly staff who checked me in.

I provided all the documentation to the staff, but I had unfortunately arrived too early for check-in. The lovely staff provided me with a room key to access the rooftop pool area, where I could relax and wait for the room to be ready. More on the rooftop later. Once you are checked in, they’ll provide you with key info on your stay.

One thing that you can definitely enjoy while you wait are the views you get from some of the lobby areas. This hotel has a great vantage point given its location atop a hill.

Room & Features

My stay for the night was in room 335, which had a two twin beds.

The room looked very fresh and had ample space for myself. They had a large TV, a nice desk space, and good lighting.

Near the entrance, they had a mini-fridge and a minibar available for purchase. Additionally, the room’s storage space consisted of modular furniture, including a couple of hangers and shelves, as well as a built-in luggage rack.

The restroom was also nice, with good lighting, a hairdryer, a bidet, and light-up vanity mirror. The toilet seat was cushioned, which was a first I’ve ever experienced at a hotel.

The walk in shower was good, although the water temperature was temperamental. Were you going to get cold or boiling hot? Who knows! It was a fun game!

The building itself sits atop a hill, so for some rooms, you had to take the elevator down from the lobby. My floor was one of those, and it afforded me this balcony space and view.

Dining

Like the Ibis Rio de Janeiro Botafogo, the Novotel Salvador Rio Vermelho has a comprehensive breakfast buffet that is serving great breakfast.

This spread also included plenty of carbs in the form of breads, cakes, and pastries.

There were cold cuts, fruits, and a made-to-order station where you could ask for an omelet, eggs, etc.

There was also a drink station, where you could get coffee, juices, etc. Unfortunately, I forgot to snap a pic.

Next to the restaurant is a bar that opens in the afternoon, where you can buy drinks, coffee, and food.

On the rooftop, there is another bar where you can also order drinks and food while you are enjoying the rooftop pool and facilities.

Amenities & Facilities

The Novotel Salvador Rio Vermelho has a variety of amenities, chief among them is the rooftop pool area. Here, you can enjoy the pool while overlooking some of the beach and city areas of Salvador.

Towels are complimentary, ask the staff at the rooftop bar. The lounge chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you see a free one, claim it. You can also ask the staff to open the umbrellas for shade.

The hotel also offers a fitness center on the same floor as the pool, which offers some weights and cardio machines.

Although I didn’t get a chance to snap a pic, there is also a massage service that will set up shop in a room right by the front desk area. You can reserve a time slot through WhatsApp.

Lastly, since the hotel is situated on a hill, complimentary shuttle cars are available to transport you to the base of the hill. Although they run regularly on a schedule, you can ask the front desk to flag one down for you.

Location & Accessibility

Getting around Salvador isn’t an easy task, and using Uber will be your best bet for navigating the city. The hotel is situated in the Rio Vermelho and Ondina neighborhoods of the city, which are conveniently close to the beaches.

If you are looking for a great private beach area, I can confidently recommend Blue Praia Bar, which is an approximately 10-minute walk from the hotel shuttle drop-off spot at the base of the hill. At the time of writing, this beach bar costs approximately $8 USD for all-day access.

They offered great drinks, a relaxing beach area that seemed to be closed off to most of the general public, and had plenty of amenities and activities available. These included day beds, umbrellas, games like volleyball, showers, and an indoor space.

I hope to visit this spot again, to unwind and relax. Highly recommended!

Value & Redemption

Since I neither booked this hotel nor spent any money on it, I can’t reasonably speak to its value. However, I would say that this is one of the better hotels I experienced on this trip, second only to the JW Marriott Rio de Janeiro.

Final Verdict: Novotel Salvador Rio Vermelho Review

The Novotel Salvador Rio Vermelho blew my expectations out of the water. I was feeling pretty down on Accor Group hotels after my Ibis Botafogo experience, but this hotel really turned that around. This hotel had comfortable and refurbished rooms, great amenities, and was situated in a good location. The service was great, and I wouldn’t hesitate to book this hotel again if I’m lucky enough to find myself in Salvador again.

Overall Rating: 7.75/10

Have you had a chance to stay at the Novotel Salvador Rio Vermelho? Let me know your thoughts on Instagram, Threads, or Twitter!

As always, Live Life One Trip at a Time!

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