Can anyone tell me if this hotel is a good choice for a short stay?

I don't know, I guess it depends on the price you get. From outside it looks like a nice hotel, it used to be 5 star but I don't think they have kept it up and the hotel has to be 20 years old at least. Again, if you get a great price it's probably not bad but if your paying a 5 star price then don't do it. My biggest beef with this hotel is that the last time I stayed there I prepaid in the US and while I was staying there they would not let me bring any friends into my room, if I didn't prepay I would have left and never came back and I never will.

As many have already mentioned, Ipanema is a better location for those who are new to Rio. There are a couple of smaller 4 star hotels on Ipanema Beach - The Sol Ipanema, or The Praia Ipanema.<BR>If you don't mind being a couple of blocks off of the beach try the Plaza Ipanema - a fairly new 4 star hotel right on Praca General Osorio. Great Location. Near good restaurants, great shopping. Every Sunday there is a large crafts fair on Praca General Osorio, it is known as the &quot;Hippie Fair&quot;, although it is actually arts and crafts from all over Brazil. You can spend a few hours there browsing and sampling regional delicacies at the food stands. Make sure you try the &quot;Acaraje&quot; from Bahia.<BR><BR>For 5 stars, try the Caesar Park Hotel on Ipanema Beach. Pay the extra price for a water view room. Well worth it.<BR><BR>Jill

Well, even though this is off topic, I recently learned about the Ipanema Plaza as a result of reading this board. When I was in Rio this past December I came across it while going to a restaurant on Rua Farme moeada, its only 1 block away from the beach in a great location near restaurants and nightlife. I went into the lobby to check it out, they had a nice little restaurant with a balcony and a little bar, looked like a great hotel and from what I understand it is fairly new. I did ask how much a room was and I was told $160 a night, I would hope you could do better making reservations on the internet or someplace else because that is high for Rio.

<BR>Usually when you walk into a hotel - off the street and ask for the rate -- you will certainly get what is known in the travel industry as the &quot;rack rate.&quot; You certainly will get a better rate by booking this hotel in advance through a Brazil Travel Specialist in the States.

t