Husband and I will visit Rio for 7 days in mid-August. We prefer to stay in Ipanema.

For the first 2 nights, we would like to book a nice hotel. We came up with 3 choices:
Marina Palace, Ipanema Plaza and Ipanema Sol.
Which hotel would be the best one?

For the remainder of our stay in Ipanema, we would book a budget hotel. I found two:
Hotel Vermont and San Marco Hotel. Would anyone know which one is the better option? Or is there another alternative in Ipanema?

We also would love to visit Buzios for an overnight stay. Is one night long enough? I've looked at the Buzios wesite and fancy the Barracuda Hotel.

Finally, we are eager to hang glide in Rio. Who is the best hang glider available?

Thanks for reading!

I don't know whare the barracuda hotel is but for one night chek out Brigitas guest house in Buzios. The San Marco hotel on Piradje st, looks like a good choice for the remainder of your stay or you may want to check out the Ipanema Inn. Ipanema Plaza is 1 block from the beach and the Sol Ipanema is older but on the beach. The Marina Palace is in Leblon but in a good location.

Between Vermont and San Marco, i do prefer VErmont. San Marco has not really good reputation. They are only one block away from each other.
I have stayed at Vermont 3 times already and no complaints so far. It is not a 5 start, but clean , safe and well located.

After a lot of research we have decided on Marina Palace for our visit. We looked at about 12 beachfront hotels from Copa to the far end of Leblon. We were looking for beachfront at a corner room and it seems we have achieved the best value there. We are also comforted by the location.

Thanks guys for your great replies!! Steve, I guess we'll go with your choice, the Marina Palace. And then we will book into the Vermont as suggested by Miguel. Dondiega, I have seen Brigitas guest house on the Buzios site. I was curious to know how well situated she was, but we love guesthouses and will like to stay there.

Brigitas guesthouse is right on rua das Pedras in the center of downtown, the entrance is on das pedras as well as the restaurant which I would recommend, its quite unique right on the water as well as the guest house is right on the water, for 1 night I think its a good choice, if you were staying longer I would recommend something else.

bom dia DONDIEGA, voce e brasileiro? I see you know the country very well... are you from Brasil?
regards

Oi Miguel, Eu sou Americano. Eu gosto Rio e Brasil e vou muitos vezes para muitos anos.

I do not blame you DONDIEGA, i went 2 years ago and felt in love with country. So far I have been to Brasil four times and planning for more.
Saludos........

Miguel, don't blame it on me, Blame it on Rio.