Yipee, I am heading (with my future husband) to Brazil (Rio, Parati, Iquacu) for our honeymoon in December/January. We are going to be in Rio over New Year's (Arriving 12/29, leaving 1/3) which I am thrilled about. I just got the rack rate at the Caesar Park Ipanema through Utell.com/Hotelbook.com (though I did it on the phone). I was sort of suprised that there was no surcharge of any sort for being over the holiday. They claimed there wasn't and that the rate stands.

My question is does this seem right to you? Should I expect a mess when I check in? (The room is not prepaid, we pay upon departure). I would call the hotel but I think if anything that will mess up my rate even more!

What rate did they quote? Perhaps the increase was built into the rate?

I checked the prices for different dates and they were the same. We were quoted $398 (plus tax) for an ocean/view junior suite..(sites I check had that same rate for that room in August and October). I think I have to contacat the hotel directly..I don't want my $400 to go to $800 (which is I suspect is closer to the actual rate). $400 is a huge splurge as it is!

Can you ask for a written confirmation? Calling the hotel might not help because they won't necessarily have the same rates.

The festivities in Rio on New Years Eve take place in Copacabana for the most part. Last year friends of mine stayed at the Luxor Regente hotel in Copacabana, right in the middle of all the action. They even went to a roof top party and reserved a table at a cafe for the fire works and party. This hotel was more in the $150 range and it is a 4 star hotel and very nice. The Ceaser Park is a 5 star hotel and an extremely nice hotel but during New Years it is not in the middle of the action. Everybody does things differently, for me I would pay $150 and have the $233 left over for spending money of which you would only need to spend about $150 a day for the best restaurants. But honeymoons are special. Even the Marriott is better located and that is 5 star.

Anyway, just wanted to let people know how this ended up in case anyone searches it.

I did get the room at rack rate through Utell, despite it being New Year's and that the published and group rates were much much higher (at all hotels, not just Ceasar Park). I did have to pay all in advance, however.

I confirmed directly with hotel a few weeks later.

The hotel was great, and having been there, I wouldn't stay anywhere else in the future, on NYE or otherwise. We walked to Copacobana (with our 1 million closest friends) and it was fascinating.