Four-pearl Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro is an ideal spot for business travelers or those who don't mind long commutes to Zona Sul's hotspots. The property sits between two malls, and the bus station opposite provides good transport links. Features include a rooftop pool and bar overlooking the Jacarepagua Lagoon, plus a well-equipped gym, buffet restaurant, lobby bar and seating areas both inside and out. The 298 rooms and suites have a classy style and upscale amenities including Nespresso machines and 42-inch TVs, plus L'Occitane bath products. Unfortunately, the 45-minute commute to the Centro or Zona Sul is off-putting. The hotel's location keeps rates low for the category, but travelers willing to compromise on sleek finishes might consider Golden Tulip Rio Copacabana, which offers a more central base without sacrificing features.
Four-pearl Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro is an ideal spot for business travelers or those who don't mind long commutes to Zona Sul's hotspots. The property sits between two malls, and the bus station opposite provides good transport links. Features include a rooftop pool and bar overlooking the Jacarepagua Lagoon, plus a well-equipped gym, buffet restaurant, lobby bar and seating areas both inside and out. The 298 rooms and suites have a classy style and upscale amenities including Nespresso machines and 42-inch TVs, plus L'Occitane bath products. Unfortunately, the 45-minute commute to the Centro or Zona Sul is off-putting. The hotel's location keeps rates low for the category, but travelers willing to compromise on sleek finishes might consider Golden Tulip Rio Copacabana, which offers a more central base without sacrificing features.
The Atlantico Copacabana is currently a lower-middle-range hotel undergoing a major renovation to upgrade both the rooms and the public areas by 2016. The hotel will remain open while construction is underway, so be prepared for noise. Currently, the hotel is dated with old-fashioned decor and furniture, and has noticeable wear and tear. The Atlantico has a first floor restaurant that serves breakfast -- included in the room rate -- and a la carte lunch and dinner. The rooftop offers a swimming pool, tiny fitness center, and a steam room. Copacabana Beach is about three blocks from the hotel and there's a metro station across the street.
The Atlantico Copacabana is currently a lower-middle-range hotel undergoing a major renovation to upgrade both the rooms and the public areas by 2016. The hotel will remain open while construction is underway, so be prepared for noise. Currently, the hotel is dated with old-fashioned decor and furniture, and has noticeable wear and tear. The Atlantico has a first floor restaurant that serves breakfast -- included in the room rate -- and a la carte lunch and dinner. The rooftop offers a swimming pool, tiny fitness center, and a steam room. Copacabana Beach is about three blocks from the hotel and there's a metro station across the street.
The Promenade Barra First is an upper-middle-range hotel in Barra da Tijuca. The 14-floor hotel is located along Avenida das Americas -- a busy highway that runs through a safe residential neighborhood. The hotel has a conference center, so it serves many local and foreign business clients, but weekends are popular with families and couples. 218 Deluxe Suites have wooden floors and unfurnished balconies, but small bathrooms show some wear. A hot buffet breakfast is included in the room rate and spotty Wi-Fi is free in all areas. Guests have access to a resort-style swimming pool and huge fitness center next door.
The Promenade Barra First is an upper-middle-range hotel in Barra da Tijuca. The 14-floor hotel is located along Avenida das Americas -- a busy highway that runs through a safe residential neighborhood. The hotel has a conference center, so it serves many local and foreign business clients, but weekends are popular with families and couples. 218 Deluxe Suites have wooden floors and unfurnished balconies, but small bathrooms show some wear. A hot buffet breakfast is included in the room rate and spotty Wi-Fi is free in all areas. Guests have access to a resort-style swimming pool and huge fitness center next door.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Arena Ipanema Hotel is a real gem. It's located right between Ipanema and Copacabana, on a safe street that's within a five-minute walk of two gorgeous beaches. Interiors here are modern and fresh -- far more so than other nearby competitors -- and the rooftop pool and terrace are a highlight, with views out to the ocean. Most of the 136 rooms lack those same views, but all have a sharp style plus free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and individually controlled air-conditioning. There's a cafe on the ground floor and the generous breakfast buffet -- complete with strong coffee -- is included in standard rates. Meeting rooms and a small fitness center are also available. For something even closer to the sand, opt for the Arpoador Inn, though it's less stylish.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Arena Ipanema Hotel is a real gem. It's located right between Ipanema and Copacabana, on a safe street that's within a five-minute walk of two gorgeous beaches. Interiors here are modern and fresh -- far more so than other nearby competitors -- and the rooftop pool and terrace are a highlight, with views out to the ocean. Most of the 136 rooms lack those same views, but all have a sharp style plus free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and individually controlled air-conditioning. There's a cafe on the ground floor and the generous breakfast buffet -- complete with strong coffee -- is included in standard rates. Meeting rooms and a small fitness center are also available. For something even closer to the sand, opt for the Arpoador Inn, though it's less stylish.
Copacabana Sol Hotel is a three-pearl hotel that's set a few blocks from Copacabana's famous beach, so rates are lower than properties along the main strip. Even so, it's still only a 10-minute walk to the sand. This is a good value for travelers who want to stay right in the heart of Copacabana near convenient transport links. The restaurant serves meals all day, including a free buffet breakfast, and the gym has a range of equipment, plus a steam room. Style-wise, the 70 rooms are a bit of a let down and some have restricted views, but they're air-conditioned, include free Wi-Fi, and are relatively spacious. It may be worth comparing rates with nearby Atlantico Copacabana Hotel, which adds a pool and has more modern rooms.
Copacabana Sol Hotel is a three-pearl hotel that's set a few blocks from Copacabana's famous beach, so rates are lower than properties along the main strip. Even so, it's still only a 10-minute walk to the sand. This is a good value for travelers who want to stay right in the heart of Copacabana near convenient transport links. The restaurant serves meals all day, including a free buffet breakfast, and the gym has a range of equipment, plus a steam room. Style-wise, the 70 rooms are a bit of a let down and some have restricted views, but they're air-conditioned, include free Wi-Fi, and are relatively spacious. It may be worth comparing rates with nearby Atlantico Copacabana Hotel, which adds a pool and has more modern rooms.
Villa Laurinda is a stylish and romantic bed-and-breakfast in the bohemian Santa Teresa district of Rio de Janeiro. The mid-range property was originally built in 1888 and has been lovingly restored by an artistic Brazilian and Swiss couple. The villa itself is surrounded by a lush tropical garden and has a good size swimming pool. Four fan-cooled rooms (with shared bathrooms) and four suites (with private bathrooms) are available. Breakfast is included in the room rate and free Wi-Fi is available throughout. This is an excellent choice for couples who want to save money but avoid the hostel scene.
Villa Laurinda is a stylish and romantic bed-and-breakfast in the bohemian Santa Teresa district of Rio de Janeiro. The mid-range property was originally built in 1888 and has been lovingly restored by an artistic Brazilian and Swiss couple. The villa itself is surrounded by a lush tropical garden and has a good size swimming pool. Four fan-cooled rooms (with shared bathrooms) and four suites (with private bathrooms) are available. Breakfast is included in the room rate and free Wi-Fi is available throughout. This is an excellent choice for couples who want to save money but avoid the hostel scene.
Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort is an upscale resort catering to families, couples, and business travelers, located directly on the beach in Rio de Janerio. (It’s the only Rio property with direct beach access.) Every one of the hotel’s 538 rooms offers sea views and private balconies -- those on corner units wrap around -- as well as amenities like flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and minibars. For food and drink, there are four unique outlets, ranging from the Michelin-rated L’Etoile on the top floor to a classic Brazilian steakhouse with outdoor seating by the beach. Leisure options include a good-size swimming pool and adjacent whirlpool (plus a separate infinity pool for the kiddies, who also have a kids’ club), a spa with saunas and steam rooms, and a 24-hour fitness center. A drawback for some guests might be the secluded location away from Rio’s action; others will consider that a big plus. For a hotel across from the beach in Copacabana, consider the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro.
Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort is an upscale resort catering to families, couples, and business travelers, located directly on the beach in Rio de Janerio. (It’s the only Rio property with direct beach access.) Every one of the hotel’s 538 rooms offers sea views and private balconies -- those on corner units wrap around -- as well as amenities like flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and minibars. For food and drink, there are four unique outlets, ranging from the Michelin-rated L’Etoile on the top floor to a classic Brazilian steakhouse with outdoor seating by the beach. Leisure options include a good-size swimming pool and adjacent whirlpool (plus a separate infinity pool for the kiddies, who also have a kids’ club), a spa with saunas and steam rooms, and a 24-hour fitness center. A drawback for some guests might be the secluded location away from Rio’s action; others will consider that a big plus. For a hotel across from the beach in Copacabana, consider the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro.
The Royal Rio Palace is an inexpensive, all-inclusive option in the heart of Copacabana. It is conveniently located; just two blocks from the beach and one block from the nearest metro station (Cardeal Arcoverde). Each room features an LCD-TV, minibar, and safe. The bathrooms are quite spacious by Copacabana standards, and some come with bathtubs, but overall decor is bland. The hotel has a great rooftop swimming pool area with views. Adjacent to it is a pool bar, and a small, but modern, fitness center and steam room.The neighborhood is lively with bars, restaurants, shops, and theaters.
The Royal Rio Palace is an inexpensive, all-inclusive option in the heart of Copacabana. It is conveniently located; just two blocks from the beach and one block from the nearest metro station (Cardeal Arcoverde). Each room features an LCD-TV, minibar, and safe. The bathrooms are quite spacious by Copacabana standards, and some come with bathtubs, but overall decor is bland. The hotel has a great rooftop swimming pool area with views. Adjacent to it is a pool bar, and a small, but modern, fitness center and steam room.The neighborhood is lively with bars, restaurants, shops, and theaters.
The 103-room Hotel Mar Palace Copacabana is a mid-range property situated in the heart of Copacabana. Guests can walk to the beach in less than 10 minutes and to the closest metro station in about five minutes. The area is filled with restaurants, shops, and bars. Rooms aren't fancy, but they're clean and come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The restaurant serves all meals, including a free breakfast buffet, and there are bars in the lobby and on the rooftop. Other features include a small fitness center and five meeting rooms. Travelers looking for a similar hotel with slightly lower rates could check out the Golden Tulip Rio Leme, which has much better views from its rooftop.
The 103-room Hotel Mar Palace Copacabana is a mid-range property situated in the heart of Copacabana. Guests can walk to the beach in less than 10 minutes and to the closest metro station in about five minutes. The area is filled with restaurants, shops, and bars. Rooms aren't fancy, but they're clean and come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The restaurant serves all meals, including a free breakfast buffet, and there are bars in the lobby and on the rooftop. Other features include a small fitness center and five meeting rooms. Travelers looking for a similar hotel with slightly lower rates could check out the Golden Tulip Rio Leme, which has much better views from its rooftop.
This four-pearl business hotel is located in a residential area in Barra da Tijuca that's closer to office parks than the beach. Elegant, Deluxe Rooms include kitchenettes and most have balconies with distant ocean views. There's a tropically landscaped swimming pool with a swim-up bar, two-story fitness center, and contemporary lobby bar. The restaurant serves a free breakfast buffet and a la carte lunch and dinner. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. This is a good pick for business travelers, but those who want fast access to the beach and restaurants should try Royal Rio Palace Hotel.
This four-pearl business hotel is located in a residential area in Barra da Tijuca that's closer to office parks than the beach. Elegant, Deluxe Rooms include kitchenettes and most have balconies with distant ocean views. There's a tropically landscaped swimming pool with a swim-up bar, two-story fitness center, and contemporary lobby bar. The restaurant serves a free breakfast buffet and a la carte lunch and dinner. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. This is a good pick for business travelers, but those who want fast access to the beach and restaurants should try Royal Rio Palace Hotel.