Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Barra

Many parts of the hotel -- including the furniture and rooms -- appear dated, though there are plans to renovate the entire hotel by the end of 2017. Interiors are vast, and the round lobby has a glass skylight and curving stairs that arch down from a second-story balcony. The space has glossy floors, leather couches and chairs clustered together in seating areas, a wall niche with orange booths, and a long, minimalist reception desk. Most of the hotel has a subtle decor scheme with framed Latin American art, ancient jugs in glass cases, lion statues in the lobby, and an Asian-inspired spa. The on-site Terral Restaurant differs in style, with granite black tables, white plush chairs, lampshade ceiling lights, and wall-to-wall windows that speak more to a basic contemporary style. Most of the clientele here are business travelers. 

The Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Barra is located on the ocean, across the street from Barra de Tijuca beach. It’s in a quiet, mostly residential area, though there are dining options and small shops within a five- to 10-minute walk away. Corporations such as Nokia, Michelin, and Heineken are within eight to 15 minutes away by car. Barra Shopping Mall, the largest mall in Latin America in terms of numbers of stores, is a 15-minute drive, and guests can access it using the hotel’s free shuttle. Most of Rio de Janeiro’s attractions are best reached by car. The Christ the Redeemer statue takes 45 minutes by car, as does Copacabana beach. The Rio Galeao - Tom Jobim International Airport is a one-hour drive away.

Rooms and suites display simplistic cream-and-tan decor with contemporary furniture, but overall, the sea of beige in various hues feels generic and a touch dated. Bedrooms consists of white linens, wooden furniture, cream curtains, and tan carpet. The separate living rooms have white glossy tiles, modern cream-colored couches, black granite kitchen countertops, and simplistic streamlined wooden furniture. Each unit has a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, a microwave, a minibar, a coffeemaker, and a balcony with outdoor furniture (two chairs and a small table). Most balconies have ocean views, though some are better than others. The black-granite bathrooms are small in Standard Rooms and have walk-in showers, while some of the Suites (such as the Business Class Suite and the Royal Ocean Suite) are spacious with shower/tub combos and two sinks. All bathrooms include hairdryers and toiletries. Note that complaints have been made of damp, musty smelling rooms; cleanliness issues; and maintenance problems.

Given the typical clients of the Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Barra, it makes sense that features here are geared for hard work and post-work relaxing. For the latter, the hotel’s Vila Spa provides the usual range of massages and treatments, but with the addition of a serene outdoor garden that’s made up of bungalows and ponds. There’s also a sauna, plus a salon in the lobby. The large on-site fitness center has many cardio machines with TVs, free weights, yoga mats, and weight machines, and a squash court is available for guest to blow off steam. Free towels, umbrellas, and chairs are available to use at the beach. The heated outdoor pool is luxurious, with a waterfall and separate sections for lap swimming and relaxation. There's also a children’s pool, two hot tubs, and a poolside bar -- Palmeiras Bar -- which serves light dishes, pizza, and barbecue. T-Lounge, the lobby bar, serves drinks and snacks. The hotel’s signature Terral Restaurant has an outdoor patio and indoor seating and serves buffets for breakfast and lunch, with breakfast included in some room packages. For dinner, the restaurant serves a la carte Mediterranean dishes with a Brazilian touch. For guests hard at work, Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Barra has extensive meeting facilities and event spaces, including eight event rooms with a capacity of up to 400 people. There’s also a business center with a laptop and a printer, plus an area in the lobby with PCs for guests to use. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property but costs extra, and valet parking incurs daily fees.