The Bamboo Rio Hostel is a two-pearl option built on a quiet side street in Copacabana, three blocks from the party scene at Copacabana Beach and with several restaurants, bars, shops, and supermarkets in the neighborhood. The hostel offers three worn private rooms and gender segregated dormitories, catering mainly to young travelers and backpackers. Wi-Fi is free in all areas, and a simple breakfast -- included in the room rate -- is served in the Bamboo Restaurant and Bar. A communal kitchen facility and tiny plunge pool are decent perks for this price point. The dormitory beds are among the cheapest accommodation options you can find in the expensive Copacabana tourism scene.
The Bamboo Rio Hostel is a two-pearl option built on a quiet side street in Copacabana, three blocks from the party scene at Copacabana Beach and with several restaurants, bars, shops, and supermarkets in the neighborhood. The hostel offers three worn private rooms and gender segregated dormitories, catering mainly to young travelers and backpackers. Wi-Fi is free in all areas, and a simple breakfast -- included in the room rate -- is served in the Bamboo Restaurant and Bar. A communal kitchen facility and tiny plunge pool are decent perks for this price point. The dormitory beds are among the cheapest accommodation options you can find in the expensive Copacabana tourism scene.
The Windsor Palace is an upper-mid-range hotel that has a central Copacabana location. This 18-floor hotel -- just a block from the beach -- underwent a renovation in 2014 and has 85 clean and spacious rooms with some balconies. A rooftop swimming pool, adjacent fitness center, free ride to the airport, and free Wi-Fi throughout are nice bonuses, but there's a charge for breakfast. Overall, this hotel is a good pick with cleaner and fresher rooms than what's usually found at this price point.
The Windsor Palace is an upper-mid-range hotel that has a central Copacabana location. This 18-floor hotel -- just a block from the beach -- underwent a renovation in 2014 and has 85 clean and spacious rooms with some balconies. A rooftop swimming pool, adjacent fitness center, free ride to the airport, and free Wi-Fi throughout are nice bonuses, but there's a charge for breakfast. Overall, this hotel is a good pick with cleaner and fresher rooms than what's usually found at this price point.
The Windsor Excelsior is a three-pearl hotel with one of the best views in Copacabana, especially from its sea-facing Executive Suites and Deluxe Rooms. Most of the 233 rooms were updated in 2012, though the bathrooms look dated and decor is generic. The rooftop has a fantastic swimming pool area, with picture-perfect views over the Copacabana beach and a larger-than-average pool for Rio. Other perks include 24-hour room-service, a hot buffet breakfast, a fitness center, and two saunas. Note that there's a fee for Wi-Fi and no parking on-site.
The Windsor Excelsior is a three-pearl hotel with one of the best views in Copacabana, especially from its sea-facing Executive Suites and Deluxe Rooms. Most of the 233 rooms were updated in 2012, though the bathrooms look dated and decor is generic. The rooftop has a fantastic swimming pool area, with picture-perfect views over the Copacabana beach and a larger-than-average pool for Rio. Other perks include 24-hour room-service, a hot buffet breakfast, a fitness center, and two saunas. Note that there's a fee for Wi-Fi and no parking on-site.
The two-pearl Bonita Ipanema opened in 2008, one block away from Praza General Osorio, in the heart of Ipanema on a quiet side-street location in an historical building. It was once home to the composer of "The Girl from Ipanema." Today, the hostel offers 25 simple private rooms (some with a private bathroom) and four dormitories. Rooms are basic and tiny with obvious damage, especially in the bathrooms. Wi-Fi and breakfast are free. Guests can cook in the communal kitchen or party with inexpensive drinks from the bar next to the small outdoor pool. The majority of guests are young backpackers on a budget and the nightly noise level is indicative of the crowd.
The two-pearl Bonita Ipanema opened in 2008, one block away from Praza General Osorio, in the heart of Ipanema on a quiet side-street location in an historical building. It was once home to the composer of "The Girl from Ipanema." Today, the hostel offers 25 simple private rooms (some with a private bathroom) and four dormitories. Rooms are basic and tiny with obvious damage, especially in the bathrooms. Wi-Fi and breakfast are free. Guests can cook in the communal kitchen or party with inexpensive drinks from the bar next to the small outdoor pool. The majority of guests are young backpackers on a budget and the nightly noise level is indicative of the crowd.
The Promenade Palladium is an elegant, mid-range hotel located in Leblon, the most chic area of Rio de Janeiro. The hotel offers 71 rooms and suites with ample space, contemporary furniture; most have furnished balconies. A breakfast buffet -- included in the room rate -- is served in the first floor restaurant. An outdoor swimming pool, steam room, and adjacent fitness center are nice bonuses. The hotel receives good feedback for its safe location two minutes from the Leblon Beach, but a neighboring school can provide unwanted noise.
The Promenade Palladium is an elegant, mid-range hotel located in Leblon, the most chic area of Rio de Janeiro. The hotel offers 71 rooms and suites with ample space, contemporary furniture; most have furnished balconies. A breakfast buffet -- included in the room rate -- is served in the first floor restaurant. An outdoor swimming pool, steam room, and adjacent fitness center are nice bonuses. The hotel receives good feedback for its safe location two minutes from the Leblon Beach, but a neighboring school can provide unwanted noise.
The Windsor Florida Hotel is located in the mostly residential area of Catete. The neighborhood feels more authentically Brazilian with good local restaurants, bars, and parks than the touristy South Zone (Copacabana and Ipanema). This mid-range hotel underwent a renovation in 2014 and now offers stylish public areas, a good restaurant, and 216 clean and comfortable rooms with large flat-screen TVs. The free fitness center, free breakfast buffet, and a rooftop swimming pool and bar are nice perks. A majority of the guests are Brazilian business clients (particularly oil companies), in town to attend meetings. For those who want to visit the beach, try the Golden Tulip Regente but remember that everything costs more closer to the sand.
The Windsor Florida Hotel is located in the mostly residential area of Catete. The neighborhood feels more authentically Brazilian with good local restaurants, bars, and parks than the touristy South Zone (Copacabana and Ipanema). This mid-range hotel underwent a renovation in 2014 and now offers stylish public areas, a good restaurant, and 216 clean and comfortable rooms with large flat-screen TVs. The free fitness center, free breakfast buffet, and a rooftop swimming pool and bar are nice perks. A majority of the guests are Brazilian business clients (particularly oil companies), in town to attend meetings. For those who want to visit the beach, try the Golden Tulip Regente but remember that everything costs more closer to the sand.
The mid-range Augusto´s Rio Copa Hotel was renovated in 2010 and offers 109 comfortable Standard Rooms and three Suites. It's located at the end of Avenida Princesa Isabela, just before the tunnel that connects Botafogo and Copacabana, three blocks from the beach. The hotel provides decorated, though worn, public areas, free Wi-Fi and breakfast, and a rooftop swimming pool with an adjacent bar, fitness center, and sauna. Overall, it's a typical property for the neighborhood: nothing fancy and a little tired looking, but comfortable and low key.
The mid-range Augusto´s Rio Copa Hotel was renovated in 2010 and offers 109 comfortable Standard Rooms and three Suites. It's located at the end of Avenida Princesa Isabela, just before the tunnel that connects Botafogo and Copacabana, three blocks from the beach. The hotel provides decorated, though worn, public areas, free Wi-Fi and breakfast, and a rooftop swimming pool with an adjacent bar, fitness center, and sauna. Overall, it's a typical property for the neighborhood: nothing fancy and a little tired looking, but comfortable and low key.
The mid-range, Astoria Copacabana has an excellent central location on a quiet side street near the metro and two blocks from the beach. The 124 guest rooms are a bit cramped with dated decor and bathrooms, but they include modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, safes, and air-conditioning; but most don't have balconies. The on-site restaurant serves a hot buffet breakfast included in the room rate. A small pool and a petite fitness center add to the hotel, but the most delightful feature is the blue-tiled steam room. Travelers may want to compare rates and amenities with the nearby Windsor Excelsior Hotel, which has a more updated look.
The mid-range, Astoria Copacabana has an excellent central location on a quiet side street near the metro and two blocks from the beach. The 124 guest rooms are a bit cramped with dated decor and bathrooms, but they include modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, safes, and air-conditioning; but most don't have balconies. The on-site restaurant serves a hot buffet breakfast included in the room rate. A small pool and a petite fitness center add to the hotel, but the most delightful feature is the blue-tiled steam room. Travelers may want to compare rates and amenities with the nearby Windsor Excelsior Hotel, which has a more updated look.
The Bossa in Rio is a popular hostel in the bohemian Santa Teresa district, a 10-minute walk from the vibrant Lapa area in Centro. It's housed in a mansion dating back to 1916 (with a recently built, modern annex). Clean, comfortable dorm rooms are available, and the hostel also has roomier private suites with high ceilings, some with balconies that look out on Centro and the Guanabara Bay. There's also a lobby with a clean, well-equipped communal kitchen and both breakfast and Wi-Fi are free. However, guests should be prepared to climb a lot of steps, as there's no elevator.
The Bossa in Rio is a popular hostel in the bohemian Santa Teresa district, a 10-minute walk from the vibrant Lapa area in Centro. It's housed in a mansion dating back to 1916 (with a recently built, modern annex). Clean, comfortable dorm rooms are available, and the hostel also has roomier private suites with high ceilings, some with balconies that look out on Centro and the Guanabara Bay. There's also a lobby with a clean, well-equipped communal kitchen and both breakfast and Wi-Fi are free. However, guests should be prepared to climb a lot of steps, as there's no elevator.
The Royal Tulip Rio Sao Conrado is a four-pearl property across the street from the breathtakingly beautiful São Conrado beach. The hotel serves business clients and leisure travelers alike, and is well known for its quality conference facilities and meetings rooms. Rooms are comfortable and stylish, with sweeping ocean and Pedra da Gávea rock views from private balconies. The hotel has three restaurants and a huge rooftop swimming pool. The fitness center and kids' club go above-and-beyond what's usually found in Rio, and the lobby bar hosts occasional live music. Free Wi-Fi and a free breakfast buffet are nice extras. Expect a 20-minute drive from the tourist area of Copacabana. For some the distance is a perk, while others may feel it's too far away from the action. Note that the hotel is located near Rocinha, an area that can feel seedy.
The Royal Tulip Rio Sao Conrado is a four-pearl property across the street from the breathtakingly beautiful São Conrado beach. The hotel serves business clients and leisure travelers alike, and is well known for its quality conference facilities and meetings rooms. Rooms are comfortable and stylish, with sweeping ocean and Pedra da Gávea rock views from private balconies. The hotel has three restaurants and a huge rooftop swimming pool. The fitness center and kids' club go above-and-beyond what's usually found in Rio, and the lobby bar hosts occasional live music. Free Wi-Fi and a free breakfast buffet are nice extras. Expect a 20-minute drive from the tourist area of Copacabana. For some the distance is a perk, while others may feel it's too far away from the action. Note that the hotel is located near Rocinha, an area that can feel seedy.