Promenade Paradiso

Built in 2004, this seven-story hotel still feels modern and fresh. Right off the bat, bright interiors make a nice first impression. The lobby is mostly done in white and light wood, with pops of gray, red, and blue here and there. White chairs and sofas provide places where guests can hang out, though the hotel lacks much of a social scene. Outdoors, the pool and grounds are well-maintained, with flowers and greenery. During the week, the hotel serves mostly business guests, but families and couples come in on the weekends and during holidays.  

This hotel is located on a tree-lined section of Avenida das Americas in upmarket Barra da Tijuca. It's a safe, green area that feels less crowded than many neighborhoods in central Rio. Guests can walk to the Citta America shopping mall in six minutes, and many businesses have offices in the area. Barra da Tijuca beach can be reached in about 20 minutes on foot, or five minutes by car, and golfers can be at the Itanhanga Golf Club in 10 minutes by car. The beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema can take anywhere from 35 to 50 minutes to reach by taxi, depending on traffic. It's around 45 minutes by car to Christ the Redeemer and nearly an hour to the Centro. Plan on 45 to 60 minutes to reach RIOgaleão - Tom Jobim International Airport by car, though traffic can -- again -- be a factor.

Promenade Paradiso offers spacious rooms and suites, all fresh and nicely decorated with crisp color schemes of blue, tan, and white. Medium-toned, clean-lined wooden furniture and white tile floors are accented by details like striped pillows and modern art. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Suites include kitchenettes with microwaves, sinks, and cook tops, as well as living and dining space. Executive Suites have two bedrooms. Compact bathrooms feature white tiling, black granite countertops, tiled shower stalls, hairdryers, and toiletries. All rooms have a balcony furnished with a small table and chairs. 

This hotel offers the basics needed for a business or leisure stay. A free breakfast buffet is served daily in the bright, sunny restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool. Selections include cereals, fruits, cheeses, yogurt, meats, breads, and pastries. Lunch and dinner are served a la carte. 

The outdoor pool is long enough for swimming laps, and there's also a whirlpool. Plenty of lounge chairs line the stone deck, and palm trees and other greenery add a tropical touch. The spacious fitness center has a nice selection of cardio and weight-training machines, plus free weights, exercise balls, and mini-trampolines. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide lots of natural light, and there's also a sauna. 

Meeting rooms with natural light accommodate business and social gatherings. The business center provides work space and a computer for guests to use. Parking is available for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.