HI,

I read in a travel mag that Stark will be opening a boutique hotel in Ipanema soo called the Rio Universe.. Does anyone know of the location or whether it will have a pool? It sounded amazing and a great alternative to the chains..

I probably read the same travel and leisure article you did. It sounded like it will be in Ipanema near the Ceaser Park hotel but it didn't sound like it would be beachfront. Considering that it will have only 98 rooms my guess is that it will not have a pool or if it does one not worth spending any time at. The ceaser Park hotel which is a very large hotel in comparison in Ipanema has just a small dip pool on the roof which barely can fit 4 people in it.

Thanks Dondiega,

Yes we read the same thing... The pools in Rio hotels are pretty bad.. I stayed at the Sofitel Rio Palace and the pool was a glorified tub, so I"d love a good pool for my son..

Well if your looking to go to Rio again and looking for a good pool try either the Sheraton hotel or the Intercontinental hotel. Also the Copacabana Palace hotel has a good pool. Thats pretty much it as far as full size pools go.

Melody, alittle more info on this hotel:
http://www.riouniverse.com.br

When I was in Rio a couple of weeks ago I was walking from Copacabana to Ipanema, I saw where they are building this hotel. It is ocean front in Ipanema closer to Arpoador.