My friends and I had a wonderful "off the beat and path" trip in Greece last summer, and now turn our sites to Rio (2 wks in Aug). We want to stay away from the grander hotels and were hoping to find more of a B&B where we could strip away as much of the touristy feel as possible. Any suggestions? With all the posts of Dengue and crime (which would be avoided by staying at Copa or Marriott) it seems we're in a catch 22. Any suggestions? Favorite spots would be appreciated as well!!

John, I just got back from Rio, I sprayed insect repellent on twice a day but I never saw a mosquito in Copacabana. As far as crime is concerned at night take taxis, a friend of mine got his necklace ripped off by someone on a bicycle late at night and he had too much to drink. The next night a police man was posted at that place to provide coverage. There are 3 star hotels in Copa and Ipanema that are not grand but in the tourist area, try this website: WWW.BLAMEITONRIO4TRAVEL.COM. They have a list of hotels to choose from and they are in Rio and speak english, I have dealt with them before and had no problems.

Visited Rio in December and January of 2001One place that people dont really think about is the Hotel Debret. It's right across the street from Copacabana Beach, has the feel of a small hotel or apartment, has really cool woodwork with wooden shutters on the windows. Upon opening the windows to the beach, you get a beautiful curtain blowing breeze. Corner room is best, and we stayed in a queen bed, double occp for 58USD per night, full breakfast included. Can't give exact address, but is near the south end of Copacabana Beach. Watch out for "shit on shoe" con...my fiancee went on a walk, and felt something on her sandals. She looked down, and it happened that a little boy threw some poop on her foot, and then offered to clean it up for a fee. His partner, meanwhile, snuck up behind her and tried to steal her camera bag.<BR>Stay away from a restaurant across from Ipanema beach with "1800" in it's name. It looks like a beautiful place to eat, but the paella made us both sick for about 2 weeks afterwards.<BR><BR>Have fun in Rio!

James, yes your right the Debret is a great hotel but it is in a different class than the Sofitel, the debret being 3 star and the sofitel 5 star. Currently I go to Rio twice a year and always stay at the Debret, the staff is nice, the rate is great and the location is great almost in the middle of copacabana but it is not a 5 star hotel. As far as your opinion of Barrill 1800, I share this with you, many years ago I got sick there twice from eating steak, I was in the bathroom on my flight home for over 10 hours. Barrill 1800 is in a good location on Ipanema but now when I go there I just have a beer and leave the food alone.

I just got back from Rio on Wednesday and it looks like the Hotel Debret was undergoing renovation. May want to check it out before booking.

Yes the hotel Debret is always doing renovations, its part of the charm to hear a jackhammer wake you up at 9AM monday through Friday. Other than that its a great hotel. Its an old hotel so they are constantly fixing it up. One time I had the front room and I was sleeping and they works were on a scafold right outside my window banging and making noise, I asked them to move me and there was no problem. Now I get a room in the back and its a little better, you have to ask for a room on the other side of the construction in order to minimize the noise.

We too, just returned from Rio, we went first to the Debret but they quoted us $65 plus taxes for a double in the back (no view) so we went to the Ducasse.<BR><BR>We paid $56 total at Ducasse and had a room w/balcony and could see the beach. The hotel was clean, safe, had tv, a/c, minibar, safe, everything we needed and very nice personnel.<BR><BR>We ate twice at Barril, had good food, did not get sick. We loved all the entertainers that come by and the people watching.<BR><BR>We went several times to Ipanema and were very glad we had to decided to stay in Capacabana. We saw many more USA folks in Ipanema and thought we had more of the flavor of Rio in Copa. We thought it was safe, too. The only person we heard of who was robbed was drunk on the beach after midnight. That could (would) happen anyplace, and especially where I live (near Dallas)!

We stayed in Ipanema, which is more residential and less touristy than Copacabana. B&B's would be hard to find along the beachfront, most of the hotels are high rise buildings and appear contemporary. <BR>You might be able to find what you're looking for in surrounding areas like Buzios, for instance. We stayed at the Pousada Casas Brancas there. They call themselves a 'boutique hotel', they're more like an inn though. We loved the place. Two weeks in Rio are a lot, I would strongly recommend a couple of days in Buzios, or even Angra dos Reis.