Hotel Granada

The Hotel Granada strives for a sleek, modern experience, and generally achieves it, though in its most basic version. The outside looks like an office building, which fits right in with the general look of the neighborhood, though there are also some charming, Colonial homes dotting the streets. Inside, there is small lobby with a reception area on one side and a small bar with a flat-screen TV on the other. The hotel mixes natural wood paneling and green marble to create a space that feels both earthy and modern. There's a small seating space next to reception with mod decor, including a low-lying couch, chic leather chairs with metal bases, and a large bright-yellow coffee table. There are also two computers for guest use, in addition to free Wi-Fi. The hotel's restaurant is a simple buffet space made fancier by black columns and white leather booths along one wall; the fresh color scheme and bright track lighting make what would be a bland cafeteria space more stylized and modern. Guests are a mix of business travelers needing access to nearby Centro, and younger travelers looking for authentic local culture and nightlife.  

The Hotel Granada is located in the Lapa neighborhood of Rio De Janeiro. This is a central part of town, and the hotel is about a 15- to 20-minute walk from Teatro Municipal, Museu de Arte Moderna, and Museu de Belas Artes. The Carioca and Cinelandia metro stations are also within 15 minutes on foot. It takes about 20 minutes by car to reach the Copacabana Beach area, and there are also bus stops right outside the hotel for access to the beach (50 minutes' ride) and around the city. Despite being a popular nightlife area, Lapa has many office buildings and tends to be pretty quiet during the week. Prostitutes and drug dealers have been a problem here in the past, and the area is still considered generally unsafe, especially at night. 

Rooms at the Hotel Granada are moderately sized and simply designed. White linens with beige bed scarves and skirts keep the rooms light and airy. The furniture -- a desk, bedside table(s), and built-in closet -- are a natural wood tone, which also encourages the fresh feeling. There may be a few prints hung on the walls, but generally the design is sparse. Rooms come with flatscreen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are simple and generally clean (there may be some calcium build-up) with stall showers, though in some Superior Rooms the layout may be a little cramped. Superior Rooms range in exact layout and size, and may include two or three twin beds, or a double bed. 

The Hotel Granada has a beautiful rooftop sun-deck with a small pool, and the beautiful view of central Rio makes it a great place to lounge. Off the sun-deck is a moderately sized, but well-equipped fitness center with cardio and weight machines and great views from large windows. Drawing a good amount of business travelers and Brazilian natives, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi and Portuguese newspapers in the lobby. The hotel includes a basic hot/cold buffet breakfast with the room rate, and continues to offer coffee and light fare through the afternoon at the restaurant -- though dinner isn't served. There's also a sauna for guest use.