Avenida Princesa Isabel N 392, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | (618) 248-8274
Near Copacabana Posto 2, under a 10-minute walk to the beach
Large suites and rooms with minibars and air-conditioning
Nice rooftop pool with great city views
Two restaurants and a piano bar
Free breakfast is included in hotel's nightly rates
Fitness room for a basic cardio workout, plus a sauna
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Meeting rooms
Decor is dated throughout the hotel
Most rooms lack any views worth noting
Fitness room small and has limited equipment
Three-pearl Merlin Copacabana Hotel has a solid location near the beach and Sugarloaf Mountain, and within easy reach of Copacabana's Posto 2 shopping and dining options. Decor in the shared areas is a little gaudy, but includes a nice split-level piano bar -- and the restaurant serves a free buffet breakfast. The hotel's best feature is its rooftop pool, which has a garden-like atmosphere and views over the city, ocean, and mountains. Meeting rooms, a small workout room, and sauna are also valuable pluses. The 145 rooms are basic and the furniture is dated, though features include air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. For more modern rooms in the same part of town, guests could take a look at Hotel Premier Copacabana, though it lacks a restaurant.
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Scene
Aging mid-range property with superb mountain views from the pretty rooftop pool
The Merlin Copacabana Hotel isn't the newest kid on the block -- though its slightly faded style is on par for this category of hotel in Copacabana. Once inside, expect to see details like bronze statues and mirrored walls, plus golden pillars under a golden ceiling. It has a gaudy, late-'90s look about it, though most spaces are well kept and everything is clean. The mezzanine lobby bar has more golden pillars and a rather strange rope fringed wall decoration, while the spacious main restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere. Up on the roof, the pool deck has great views over the city and mountains -- with glimpses of the beach -- and a nice leafy atmosphere. The hotel is visited by mixture of business guests and tourists -- mostly couples as well as some families.
Location
At the north end of Copacabana, near shopping and dining, a 10-minute walk to the beach
The Merlin Cocabana Hotel is situated at the extreme northern end of Copacabana, near Posto 2. There are plenty of shops and restaurants heading south and east from the hotel, and Rio Sul shopping mall is just on the other side of the tunnel -- though it's not advisable to walk through the tunnel for safety reasons. It's less than a 10-minute walk to the beach, where there are more restaurants and cafes. Fort Duque de Caxias and its superb viewpoints are a five-minute drive from the hotel, and Copacabana Fort at the other end of the bay is about a 15-minute drive. Popular Sugarloaf Mountain is 10 minutes away by car, or around 35 minutes by bus from outside the hotel. Tthe iconic Christ the Redeemer statue is 30 minutes away by car, but getting an app-hailed car back can be tricky. Cardeal Arcoverde Metro station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel for access to the Centro or Ipanema. The international airport is about a 30-minute drive from the Merlon, though the domestic airport should only take 15 or 20 minutes to reach depending on traffic.
Rooms
Dated rooms with basic decor, but plenty of space, including minibars and flat-screen TVs
Rooms are spacious, though the marble floor tiles and wood furniture are old fashioned and decor is basic. Everything is clean, but don't expect the stunning ocean or skyline views that you'll find in hotels closer to the ocean. Amenities include air-conditioning, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, safes, and desks. Suites have living areas separated by a sliding partition, plus electric kettles and dining tables. Despite the location along the main road, the sound-proof windows generally do a good job of keeping the road noise out. Bathrooms similarly could do with an overhaul, but have large shower stalls, decent counter space, hairdryers, and basic toiletries. Some suites have jetted tubs.
Features
Nice rooftop pool with great views over the city plus two restaurants and included breakfasts
One of the Merlin Copacabana Hotel's main assets is its rooftop pool. It is surrounded by both shaded and sunny seating, edged with pretty palms, and has fantastic views of the city and mountains. There's a small fitness room with a few cardio machines, as well as a sauna, and several rooms are available for events and meetings. Two restaurants serve local and international fare, with both buffet and a la carte options, and there's a piano bar in the lobby. Room service is available and breakfast is included -- options include generous hot and cold selections. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
