Hotel Regina

The Regina was launched in the 1920s, around the same time as the legendary Copacabana Palace and Hotel Glória. The Regina -- during its heydays in the 1930s and '50s, was often the scene for cocktail parties and official functions hosted by the government. It also served as a residency to a number of local congressmen. It has maintained some of its "regal vibe" as the upper floor terrace offers an excellent space to host parties. Indoors, the plain lobby has a small corner dedicated to a brown couch and beige pleather chairs. Artificial flowers and framed drawings of Rio on the wall add a bit of color to the space. 

The Regina has a convenient location for those who wish to experience a less touristy area of Rio de Janeiro. The neighborhood is mainly residential, but it offers several good restaurants and bars in the vicinity. Just a few blocks from the hotel stands the Catete Palace (Pálacio do Catete), the former residence of the President of the Republic later turned into a Museum of the Republic. The Flamengo Park and Beach are just a five-minute walk away. Although the beach is not the best option for swimming, as its often polluted, the area has nice parks and boulevards to walk around in. It also offers areas to play tennis, jog, or rent a stand-up paddle board.The closest metro stop, Catete, is two blocks away. It has good access to the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, which can be reached with a 10- to 15-minute metro ride. The historical and financial district of Centro can be visited by metro in five- to 10-minutes. It offers charming cobblestone streets, old colonial period buildings, plazas, Baroque and Rococo churches, and some excellent dining options. 

Galeão International Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel and the domestic airport of Santos Dumont can be reached in five minutes.

The Regina -- after undergoing a renovation in 2008 -- offers 117 comfortable rooms in three categories: Standard, Superior, and Deluxe. All Deluxe Rooms --  that are perhaps the best value -- come with a queen-size bed plus two single beds, and with furnished balconies. All rooms include wood laminate floors and a simple decor, but small details like Asian inspired textiles on the beds, give the otherwise forgettable rooms a special touch. Air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes are standard. Bathrooms have granite countertops and ceramic tiled floors. They come with a shower area and basic toiletries. Deluxe Rooms offer whirlpools. Hairdryers are available on request.

The Regina features the Goya Restaurant, that serves a well reviewed, free hot buffet breakfast with freshly squeezed juices, Brazilian sweets, and fresh bread. The restaurant also serves a la carte lunch and dinner, and the hotel offers a 24-hour room service.

The rooftop has an inviting long terrace with wooden benches, which is often used to host cocktail parties and functions. Next door is a small fitness center with a couple of modern treadmills and bicycles. The hotel also features a spa, with sun beds and an outdoor whirlpool. Adjacent is a steam room and a shower area, which look a bit dated.

The hotel has a small lobby, a TV-room with a sofa set, and a couple of desktop computers; Wi-Fi is free of charge. The front desk staff -- as is common in Rio de Janeiro hotels -- sells city tours and tickets to football games at the famous Maracanã stadium. Before Carnival, tours are also arranged to watch the rehearsals of some of the most well known Samba-schools in the city, like Salgueiro or Vila Isabel. 

The Regina is a popular place to host events. It offers a convention center with five spacious rooms to hold meetings, conferences, or functions with all the necessary support functions.