Nina is a seven-year-old, mixed-breed dog with fur that resembles ice cream flakes. In the pandemic, like everyone at home, she gained a little weight, and now boasts an honorable 16 kilos. I’ve been your stepmother for four years.
This month, Nina received an invitation: to experience the pet friendly accommodations and service at the Hilton hotel in São Paulo. One of the main five stars in the south of the capital, Hilton Morumbi has been working for some years with Pet Experience reservations, and since March it has added to the experience a box full of treats that awaits the animals on the apartment’s floor.
Nina must think I’m a good stepmother: she asked me to accompany her on the walk. Upon check-in, which took place on a Friday night, she was greeted by the main staff with the usual cordiality and instructions, but with unusual enthusiasm. There were even those who went around the counter to pat the guest on the head.
At the Hilton, dogs are required to roam the premises on the owner’s lap or on a leash. Even trusting the dog I have, I confess that I was afraid that she, despite being super polite, would invoke it with some curious smell and decide to stamp the carpeted hallways with pee.
We passed without accidents until the end of the stay. Those who are not so lucky need to collect what is left behind and compensate for what may be damaged by the pet. In situations like this, the hotel explains, the value of the damage is estimated by a specific department and added to the final bill.
In the pet friendly apartments, dogs and cats are welcome. The only difference is in the contents of the gift box, organized by the Petiko subscription system. Nina received steaks, cookies, two plushies, a ball and a pack of healthy snacks that she didn’t pay much attention to – she didn’t gain weight in the pandemic for nothing.
The food and water pots provided during the stay are of good quality, keeping everything fresh for the pet. The bed, completely sanitized and without traces of previous use, comfortably accommodates a medium-sized dog. Guests also get hygienic mats, which I chose to place on the bathroom floor overnight.
Of course, pets are not allowed in the hotel’s pool, gym, spa or restaurant. The solution for those who want to visit these places is to leave the animal in the room, keeping a sign hanging on the door, outside, that indicates that there is an unaccompanied pet there — at times like this, the cleaning and housekeeping team is not authorized to enter. .
This does not mean, however, that tutors who do not want to be separated from their pets go hungry during their stay. In a spacious outdoor area, at the back of the hotel, comfortable tables and chairs accommodate those who want to have breakfast with their dog.
At ease, on her weekend of relaxation, Nina had no qualms: she climbed on the upholstered bench next to me and there she ate her morning steak, enjoying the good weather on Saturday. The next day, the typical São Paulo drizzle appeared, and the experience unfortunately cannot be repeated.
I learned—too late, because I left without asking—that, in cases like this, it is possible to order continental breakfast in the room, free of charge. Nina regretted the tutor’s lack of skill, who checked out on an empty stomach.
Contrary to what children’s stories say, stepmothers are good people. In my case, I lacked the courage to appeal to the sign and go down alone to the restaurant.
In addition to the concern for the peace of the other guests and possible non-conformist barking, there was also the fear, once again, of the destruction of the hotel’s assets, in retaliation for the temporary abandonment. I pulled up.
To access the Hilton Pet Experience, you must pay an initial fee of BRL 250, in addition to the daily rate, and pay BRL 50 per additional day of accommodation. The price includes all the pampering and an “enhanced” cleaning after the pet and his best friends are gone.
The reporter stayed at the invitation of the Hilton São Paulo Morumbi.
Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi
Av. of the United Nations, 12901, Torre Leste, Brooklin Novo, São Paulo. Daily rates from R$ 474. Phone: (11) 2845-0000. Reservations by email [email protected].
