There’s a host of hotels in Rio to choose from Santa Teresa to Barra but we’ve focused on Copacabana and Ipanema which is where you will most likely want to stay. Here’s a selection of some of those we recently visited.
Hotels: Hotel Augusto’s Copacabana 3* | Olinda Othon Classic 3* | South American Copacabana Hotel 4* | Ipanema Plaza 4* | Windsor Excelsior 4* | Rio Othon Palace 4* | Porto Bay 4* | Sofitel 5*
Hotel Augusto’s Copacabana 3*
Just over 5 minutes walk away, a couple of blocks from the beach, we found the Augusto’s perfectly located for local bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The hotel offers standard bedrooms and suites, restaurant and coffee shop as well a roof-top swimming pool. You may be missing out on those breathtaking views onto the Atlantic but the cityscape and views onto the mountains make for a change from beach, beach and more beach!
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Olinda Othon Classic 3*
A beautiful neoclassical 1940’s building entirely renovated in 2006 but still retaining its classical features and charm, the hotel is immediately across the road from Copacabana beach.
With its marble lobby, complete with chandeliers, oriental carpets and grand piano capturing those grand old days gone by, we loved the atmosphere and for once the distinct lack of chrome and glass design. |
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South American Copacabana Hotel 4*
12 storeys high, the South American is no more than 10 minutes stroll to Copacabana or Ipanema beaches which you can see 2 blocks away. But our most ‘interesting’ view was looking at the hillside favela with its own funicular and matchbox homes. Meals are served in a pleasant restaurant and the lobby bar is well stocked. There’s a small swimming pool and gym on the roof-top.
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Ipanema Plaza 4*
All of 50 metres from the beach front and with wonderful all round views of the city, natural forest, mountains and sea, the Plaza is stylishly designed with all the facilities we expect from a first class hotel. We loved the blend of wood and cane in the restaurant and the food there is delicious. Despite being so close to the beach there’s a lovely swimming pool and bar on the roof-top.
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Windsor Excelsior 4*
Right across the road from Copacabana beach and with comfortable and elegant rooms, we think that as well as the ocean, the Excelsior offers a particularly fabulous view of the Christ the Redeemer statue sitting proud on Corcovado mountain. The roof-top pool and gym are excellent and there’s even a sauna though we never saw anyone in it! The restaurant looks out onto the beach and you’ll find it hard to find many more hotels offering a better breakfast buffet.
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Rio Othon Palace 4*
Probably amongst one of the tallest hotels we stayed at in Rio! And the view and meal in the 30th floor Skylab Bar and Restaurant was magnificent. There is a choice from standard rooms to deluxe suite all with cable TV, mini bar and hotel safe. On the roof-top terrace there’s an outdoor heated pool, sauna, steam room and health club. The hotel also offers a fully-equipped gym and an indoor hydrotherapy pool. Best of all, across the road on Copacabana Beach, hotel staff offer sun loungers, parasols, towels and will keep an eye on your belongings when you’re swimming.
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Porto Bay 4*
Breathtaking! And if that’s just the furniture and design in the lobby area, it then just gets even better and better. We found the spectacular roof-top pool so inviting it was difficult to drag ourselves down to the sandy beach below without first sipping down another cocktail! But if you do head for the sea, there’s even a special area reserved on the beach for hotel guests. The bedrooms are sophisticated and comfy to match. Lovely restaurant with a panoramic view over Copacabana and two great bars, our favourite being poolside!
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Sofitel 5*
A highly luxurious and sophisticated hotel that pampers and delights with its contemporary design and distinct hint of Rio. From up on one of the top floors we found the view from the open balcony overlooking Copacabana beach on one side and Ipanema on the other just fabulous. As well as both a French and International ‘fusion’ restaurant, there’s a stylish bar (boasting the widest choice of Belgian beers!) with live evening entertainment, 2 pools, and a fitness gym.
We have an even wider selection of hotels to choose from including some breathtaking boutique hotels and not forgetting the world famous Copacabana Palace which has welcomed the rich and famous since 1923. Simply tell us what you’re after and leave the rest up to us.
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