Do you have points, is that why you are considering this location. Yes you can walk to things but at night in Rio you will take a taxi EVERYWHERE. Also for many sights during the day you will take a taxi and the Sheraton is at the far south end of the main Ipanema tourist trip. It just makes it a bit more of a hike. You will love Rio but I would select another place unless you have a free stay.

I pretty much have a free stay-that is why it's the only option. I read up on it and it "looks" nice on the website. The pool looks nice and it says it has it's on private beach. It also says it's a 5 Star hotel-despite the neighborhood?

If you have a free stay at the Sheraton, go for it. They do have a small beach, not where you will hang out probably. However I would really use a car and driver for most excursions. I would under any circumstances but especially leaving from there. You can negotiate with a car at the hotel for your entire stay. I wouldn't want to be seen coming and going as a tourist, particularly, from there, though I wouldn't hesitate anywhere on Ipanema or Copacabana.

I looked at the website but I still don't like the location. Use your Starwood points to stay at the Sheraton Park Tower (luxury collection) in Buenos Aires and pay for a hotel in Rio, Copacabana Palace, Marriott if you have points, Le Meridien is affordable and nice, Sofitel, etc. I just feel it is to close to the favela and have heard some bad stories about guests being attacked there. Maybe not frequently but you are a sitting duck in the location where they are and you will never want to use their beach, all the action is on Ipanema and Copacabana.

The Sheraton hotel is a great hotel but you can't walk anywhere from it. Not that Leblon or Ipanema is that far but ave. Neimeyer is not recomemmeded to take a walk because of muggings. If you plan on taking costly taxis everywhere then you will have no problem because that is what you will have to do from the Sheraton. The same goes for the Intercontinental, great hotel but lousy location. If its free then no problem you will have enough money left over for taxis and not so bad either about 10 - 15 dollars to Ipanema and Copacabana. I would rather stay in Copacabana and walk out into the scene. But I do go to the Sheraton and the Intercontinental often to swim and mingle with the Americans.

Hi Margaret,<BR><BR>I live here in Rio. It would be a pleasure to help you send me an email. Also go to my site www.blameitonrio4travel.com you will see photos of all the hotels and then I can help you after you look at them. The Marriott is very nice but the Sofitel is much nicer. I can get you get rates at either of the hotels. Bobby<BR>

I just returned from Rio and got a great deal on my hotel from HDN.com<BR><BR>For some reason they are cheaper than any of the other online booking services I found by doing a google search. They had many but not all of the top hotels mentioned in these postings.

Don't stay at Sofitel Rio Palace... .Stayed there coupla years ago.. what a dump!!1 The furniture is ancient, the hallways are musty, the pool is as big as a tub.. It was overpriced. I was sorry I tried to save a couple of bucks and didn't stay at Copacabana Palace, or better yet, Caeser Park...Don't make my mistake

Mel, how many years ago was that? Because it is true that when the Sofitel took over the Rio Palace it was in need of renovations but from what I undersatnd they have been performing them since then. Hopefully your travel report is not too outdated.

Mel, most hotel's on Copacabana and Ipanema if they have a pool at all then its just a very small dip pool. Except of coure for the Copacabana Palace. The Ceasar park hotel has a very small pool as does the Meridian. Truthfully the Rio Palace has 2 pools, one for the morning sun and one for the afternoon sun and truthfully by Rio standards they are quite big in comparison to every other hotel on Copacabana and Ipanema except for the Copacabana Palace. The only other hotels in Rio that have more of a resort type pool would be the Rio Sheridan and The Intercontinental both outside of Copacabana and ipanema they are in Sao Conrado.

If anyone is considering staying at the InterContinental..they do have a free shuttle that will take you from the hotel to Ipanema and Copa. There's not much in the neighborhood (Sao Conrado), but it is a lovely hotel with great pools.

Hi. I stayed at the Sofitel in 1999. I'm not sure if they renovated since then, but honestly, it was really bad. It had absolutely no Rio ambiance whatsoever.The pool looked great on the net and the brochure, but it was deceiving.... Despite the crap hotel, I had a great time in Rio. I plan on returning in a few years, but will stay in Ipanema probably, Ceasar Park I really liked the look of...And anyone going, don't miss Jardim Botanico, a great area outside the beach.

Mel, your right, my first time in Rio was in 1980, my first time staying at the Rio Palace was in 1982 when it was new,it was a top hotel then, it was the place to stay all the stars stayed there including Paul Macnartney, etc. Ceaser Park is a great hotel and still is, they have kept up with the times but their pool is very small, no room for more than 3 or 4 people but it is in a great location. Jardim Botanico is a great neighborhood, nice places to eat for example quadrofoglio an Italian restaurant one of the best and a mexican place called Cozumel, on Monday they have all you can eat and drink. I will be there December 1st we should get a group together and go of who will be there at that time. People jump in and lets meet.

For some reason the choice of a hotel for this trip has been driving me crazy. I had first decided on The Copacabana Palace, but for some reason I have not felt good about it. I like luxury accomodations for discount prices. I was getting a package with airport pick-up, city tour and breakfast for 247.50. But, there is a 10% surcharge, a 5% tax and the usual 3.00 charge per room. All of this for the worst room in the house. The more I thought about it, the more unsure I was about my choice. My husband does not want to sit around the pool all day as he is more interested in getting out and seeing the city. I figured if we aren't going to be staying around the hotel that much it would be such a waste of money. So, I received an E-mail from the Marriot and they have a special deal with Visa where you get a honeymoon package with flowers, champagne, fruit, breakfast and an ocean view deluxe room. This for $192 and there is no 10% service charge and I get my Marriot points. Now I am wondering if I should just forget the Marriot and go for the LeMeridien for $130 a night. So, I am asking those of you who have been what is your opinion. I feel like such an idiot for being so indecisive. Forget offering any ideas for any other hotels. It is between these two. Any help is appreciated. thanks

why are you stressing so much about a hotel. You know your budget. If the Marriot is within the budget, go for it and stop obsessing. Does it really matter which 5 star hotel you stay at? <BR><BR>I heard the Marriot is wonderful and the Meridian not so wonderful.

Joe,<BR>Thanks. I know I am obsessing and cannot understand why. I will take your advice.

Margaret, it's your money you can spend it anyway you want but $200 a day to stay in Rio is crazy when the currency has been devalued somewaht in recent months. Unfortunately since you are dealing with an American company you will be quoted in dollars which is constant. Try a hotel that quotes in the local currency I think you can do much better. You may even want to contact a local travle service and have them speak to the hotel directly and get a quote in Real, try Bobby who posted above, just see if he can get you a better rate. His website has the Marriott at about $115 a day.

I don't normally post, but I stayed at the Ipanema Plaza last year and haven't seen anyone mention it. Great location in Ipanema, very close to the beach and very good restaurants. We walked almost everywhere for beach/shopping/eating during the day and sime nights, no problems.It's a businessman's hotel with a decent breakfast buffet and a small rooftop pool. Certainly not the Copacabana, but a very nice, clean, comfortable and well located hotel.

Margaret,<BR>I stayed at the Marriot in January--It is absolutely beautiful, excellent service, helpful staff, very secure--If you can get a good rate stay there. Many people have posted about Copacabana being dangerous--but I had no problem--I enjoyed all of the beaches and their different atmospheres--It is no different from any other big city in the states. Ipanema is more tranquil--but the rates for some of the &quot;luxury&quot; hotels is over the top.

Margaret,<BR>How many times in your life will you be in Brazil. If this is IT as far as you know, then please, please do not even blink...stay at the Copacabana Palace. It is worth all the money. There are certain hotels in the world that are events in and of themselves and this is the finest in Latin America. On par with The Greenbrier, Claridges in London, that sort of thing. The pool is tremendous and hubby will be thrilled, Rio is burning hot at high noon and sitting under the umbrella there, being served lunch and caipirinhas from staff members of 20+ years service, is just as fine as it gets. Even among the richest and most famous people in Brazil, having lunch at the Copa next to the pool is a special treat, particularly their feijoada lunch on Saturday. The staff there will upgrade you when you arrive and change your room ten times if you want...they are Cariocas and will NOT let you be less than 100% happy. Plus they have a nice fitness center, beach service and fab views. Make sure you specify ocean and or pool view. <BR><BR>The Marriott chain I adore, I travelled non-stop for 8 years all over the world and have stayed in a very large # of Marriotts. But the Rio Marriott has nothing of BRAZIL in it! Plus the windows don't open! You need the sweet breeze from the ocean, the Copa is the only hotel with this feature in this category.<BR><BR>I stayed at Le Meridien about a month ago with a friend who was on a strict budget. It has marvelous views from every window, really really nice staff, a small pool with ocean view on the mezzanine level but the rooms are Hotel 101 and could be in Vegas, Tulsa, or anywhere in between.<BR><BR>Go to the Copa Palace and feel great! We took 11 friends from the US there on our honeymoon and they all just swooned. You will write me and thank me afterwards, you really will. It is a HUGE PART of the Rio experience, not just a place to rest your head. So, love the Marriott but not this time.<BR><BR>If you are continuing onto to Buenos Aires (and why wouldn't you, the prices are so cheap and it is just such a great city), there I definitely recommend the Marriott Plaza Hotel. It was bought by the Marriott and is right on a beautiful park, next to the major shopping street and Puerto Madera. I have had rooms there to top any hotel in Paris for updated old-world glamour. They have everything you need, you get your points, a nice small pool, a fitness center, and a staff that is truly Argentine!