Looking for hotel in Rio
 

Going to Rio de Janeiro in late may and was looking for a mid range atmospheric hotel. Any suggestions?

We stayed in this hotel & it was great; not even one block from the beach:
http://www.maripanema.com/index.cfm?lang=en

In addition to the above hotel which looks very nice, take a look at these: The Luxor Regente, The Orla, The Miramar Palace plus the Ipanema Plaza. All mid range hotels that are good choices.

Thaks for all these options Dpon Diega & Angela. Definitely looks like we can find something without breaking the bank.

Now, I'd be willing to tradeoff proximity to the beach for something more colonial style. does such exist ?Somewhere, where you can come back from a day of sightseeing to hang at the bar?

The most traditional and colonial style hotel in Rio is the Gloria Hotel.

www.Gloriahotelrio.com.br

It is not so close to Ipanema, closer to downtown on Flamengo beach -- not a great swimming beach. But it is an interesting hotel. It was built around the same time as the Copacabana Palace, and many artists who perform at the Teatro Municipal stay there. Many politicians also stay there. The lobby is an amazing place to people watch -- and it does have a few very traditional old colonial bars. Beautiful gardened pool area with Portuguese tiles...
Stay in the Main old building -- it has a lot more charm and the rooms are bigger. Jill

Jill,

Thanks for the info. the URL is actually http://www.hotelgloriario.com.br, but this is a bit OTT for me. I was looking for worn down.

Ah yes --- thanks for correcting the URL. For a budget option try the Arpoador Inn right on Arpoador Beach (far end of Ipanema closest to Copacabana). Just do not book a standard room. They are dark and small. The nightly rates are low enough to book an ocean view deluxe room. Remember when you find rates with an R in front of the price it means it is priced in the Brazilian Currency Real and not US dollars. So R$200 is actually about $95.00 US dollars.
Jill

Lia,
Yes it refers to the novel (not the movie).

Castelinho looks interesting. As of now I have sort of focused on the orla: http://www.orlahotel.com.br/

When were you there?

Anybody else who can comment on the neighborhood SantaTeresa vs Copacabana?

Less than zero, avoid copacabana it was kicking back in the 70s but now it is only old people and hookers. The cool crowd is all around Santa Teresa and Lapa, this is where the samba bars are, this is where the culture lies, copacabana is where it dies.
Castelinho 38 is a wicked spot, great views, good breaky, funky place.

"Anybody else who can comment on the neighborhood SantaTeresa vs Copacabana?"

While there are plenty of bars/samba clubs in SantaTeresa/Lapa it is not a beach area and is not the safest place in rio.

Copacabana is a beach area, go to the beach during the day and then Friday night go to Lapa, very young crowd, packed bars, street scene, very different than copa.

Yes Copa has some older people living there, they won't give you no trouble. Some cafes along ave atlantica cater to prostitutes but not all of them.

The Orla hotel is very nice, it is a newer hotel right on Ave. Atlantica and very close walking distance to Ipanema.

Dondiega: I have enjoyed many of your posts and would like get get your advice please! I am going to retire(55 years old) in Rio and want to rent a 1 br. place before I buy one. How much is current rent and where do you think a person gets the most for their $ regarding location when buying an apt? Thankyou!! I have been to Rio 25 times so I know a little as far as locations. johnnydel

Johnny, I have been renting 1 bedroom apartments in Rio since 2003 but short term tourist type not long term. Because the dollar is weak and the Real is strong, the prices have gone up for us especially this year.

For example last year I paid $55 a day and this year for the same apartment they want $75 a day. Still cheaper than a hotel but a large percentage increase.

Copacabana is generally cheaper than Ipanema and Leblon but they are completely different neighborhoods, it depends on where you want to be.

I had been staying in Copacabana but this year I am changing my location to Ipanema as I find myself at night frequenting the bars and restaurants there more and more so I figured I might as well stay there. Also I will be close to Leblon and there are great bars and restaurants there too. Plus I like the beach in front of Caesar Park.

I think you're doing the right thing by renting first as I hear many guys regret where they bought or that they bought at all. Some say that they wished they just rented and not bought because they would like to move around in Brazil or to even other neighborhoods.

Others say that buying an apartment in Rio or Brazil is not the same as in the US as you don't have the same security and are open for shake downs by unscrupulous local authorities.

Do your homework first before you purchase and be careful.

Sometimes I use this agent, she does short term but maybe long term too and she sells apartments, I would trust Margareth:

http://www.thewonderfulcity.com/

Maripanema.com - Mar Ipanema is a great choice. In the heart of Ipanema, near of nice restaurants (expensive and cheap ones) 2 blocks from the best part of the beach , I would say in Rio!!!!!