Augusto's Rio Copa Hotel

The Augustoś Rio Copa was renovated in 2010 but already looks tired. A typical looking lobby is spruced up with red velvet armchairs and sculptures, but white leather sofas could use replacing and the light wood paneling and granite on the front desk looks out of date. Outside, the facade needs a good scrubbing and the international flags are visibly dirty. The hotel is frequented by local business travelers who appreciate the on-site meeting room, and domestic and international tourists who like the close beach proximity. 

The hotel is located along busy Avenida Princesa Isabela Street, a few hundred meters from the tunnel that connects Botafogo to Copacabana. It may not offer the spectacular sea views found at hotels along Avenida Atlantica, but the distance to the beach is just three blocks. RioSul, a well known shopping mall, with several good restaurants, bars and movie theaters, is just on the other side of the tunnel, though guests are advised to use a taxi or a bus to pass the tunnel for safety reasons. The neighborhood is lively and offers several tourist shops, supermarkets, theaters, restaurants, bars, and car rental agencies. The Urca area, where Sugarloaf Mountain stands, is just a five-minute taxi ride away. Galeão International Airport can be reached in 30-minutes and Santos Dumont Airport in 15-minutes by taxi.

The rooms at the Augusto´s Rio Copa were renovated in 2010, though the bathrooms could already use with a refresh. The room size and shape varies, but each is clean and comfortable; some rooms offer a small, separate sitting area with a brown pleather sofa. Room interiors feature neutral and pastel colors with cream walls, wood laminate floors, and generic wood furniture like a small writing desk and chair. All rooms have a 32-inch flat-screen TV, free (spotty) Wi-Fi, a safe, and a minibar. Bathrooms are a tight squeeze with stall showers, and the showerheads look corroded. Wall-mounted hairdryers and toiletries are provided. Windows overlook the city of Rio and the mountains in the distance. Past guests have complained about broken air-conditioners. 

For a mid-range hotel, the Augusto's Rio Copa offers a lot of decent features. Guests get free Wi-Fi (though the signal strength varies) and access to an Internet corner with two desktop computers. A free hot and cold breakfast buffet is served at Café Le Soleil restaurant, which also provides a la carte lunch and dinners, and 24-hour room service. Upstairs, there's a small pool and adjacent bar area. However, guests have to call for drink service as there isn't a posted bartender. There's a small fitness center with cardio equipment and weights, along with a wooden sauna. Parking is limited to eight cars, for a charge. For business travelers, there's a furnished meeting room with seating for up to 100 people.