Is it possible to find a quiet hotel room in Rio? It seems all hotels face the busy road.

Well, you could stay at the Sheraton or Intercontinental hotels as they are somewhat off the beaten path and can be very quiet.

Or stay in a hotel on Ave. Atlantica for example in Copacabana but ask for a room that does not face the main street and is on a high floor. I've done that several times and it worked, no view but at least you can sleep.

if you can bear to be away from the beach, you will find lots of lovely, quiet B&Bs up in Santa Teresa, through the cama e cafe site. If funds allow (mine don't, sadly), there is a gorgeous little boutique hotel set back from any roads - gorgeous gardens, huge verandas, bar beneath the trees...pretty perfect! It's expensive but no more so than many Ipanema hotels and, as I say, well worth - even the sound of the old tram rattling past won't reach you there! It's called Relais Solar, and they have a webite ( I think it's solardesanta.co.br)

I stayed at the Sheraton on Ipanema Beach.

The Sheraton is right on the beach and the only hotel in Rio( that I know of )that is on the beach.

Get and ocean view room like I did and you are looking over water and toward Sugarloaf Mountain ...very peaceful.

Percy

I would say it depends on your age and what you want to do, sure the sheraton may be quiet but it's very cut off, no little shops nearby to even buy water etc and a taxi ride to anywhere. I wouldnt stay in Santa Teresa myself, yes it's a great neighborhood, charming, etc but also quite near a big favela and so has quite a petty crime problem. It's ok by day but by night can be a nightmare to get a taxi back to. I would stay in Copacabana or Ipanema, copa is prob quieter as all streets in ipanema are busy and most hotels face front and side street not necessarily back. Santa Teresa is a place to go for a tram ride and DONT stray from the tram lines, it's an area that invites you to wander, pause, look up,admire the arquitecture, views etc, ie become careless and put yourself at greater risk, but do go visit it's little shops at Largo dos Guimaraes stop. Have fun in Rio and if I can help any more please ask