Tulip Inn Fortaleza

The reception staff were extremely attentive, the apt. was great with a sitting room and kitchinette. Street noise a bit loud, but location is very convenient to the beach (not a beach for swimming), the local nightly street fair, and convenience stores.

This conveniently located, reasonably priced hotel was formerly what Brazilians call a "flat" or apartment-hotel. As a result, the rooms actually are small suites, with a kitchenette and a sofa-bed in the living room and a separate bedroom. By American standards the space is on the small side, but it all works! The kitchenette works, but there aren't any dishes/utensils/etc. provided However you can get whatever you need to use the kitchen (like plastic utensils and paper plates, matches, a small pot for boiling water/milk) at the big Pão de Açucar supermarket, about 4 short blocks from the hotel (turn left out the front door). At the corner of the hotel building (to the right) is a drugstore with an ATM inside. The hotel is on Av. Abolição, a main thoroughfare one block inland from the beach, Praia de Meirelles. This beach isn't recommended for swimming, but the beachfront is landscaped and a very popular place to stroll, shop and dine, especially in the evening. The hotel is only about 10 minutes by cab from Praia do Futuro, the popular swimming beach in Fortaleza, which is lined with beach "clubs" -- the hotel desk can tell you which are popular or good for visitors. Attractions like Beach Park (a big family-oriented water park) are a bit farther. There are numerous restaurants within 10 minutes of the hotel, and nice shopping, as well. The hotel serves a generous breakfast buffet every morning until 10:00 a.m. -- breakfast is included in your room rate. The hotel also seems to be LGBT-friendly. No raised eyebrows or awkward questions when my partner and I checked in and asked for a queen-sized bed! This stay was more brief, but last year we stayed here for nearly 3 weeks and were very comfortable here. We definitely plan to return!

The Tulip San Martin was a good bang for the buck. Not an elite hotel, but the service was great and the rooms were clean, etc. The gym is a little bit limited and some of the late night services, like getting a sandwich after midnight, is not available. However, overall a very nice hotel.