Where should we stay? The Sofitel or Marriott? What is the general quailty of the rooms? What about cleanliness and freshness?

I stayed at the Sofitel March 2003 & I was very pleased with the property. The best thing about it in my opinion is the location as it is right between Copacabana & Ipanema & we spent most of our time in Ipanema & Leblon. The Marriot is further up in Copacabana which would be a much further walk to get to Ipanema. The rooms at the Sofitel were decent - nothing luxurious & somewhat old looking, but nice view of ocean & clean. Great concierge & staff. They had an ok pool out on the patio overlooking the ocean with an ok restaurant. We ate our 1st lunch there as we were too tired from our jetlag & weren't ready to venture out. Besides that we spent all of our time in the city exploring the neighborhoods & local restaurants. Have a great time!

The Sofitel used to be the Rio Palace and was one of the top hotels in Rio in the early eighties. The Marriott on the other hand is a new hotel in one of the better parts of Copacabana, the Marriott is new and beautiful, small pool on the roof with great view and walkable to Ipanema if need be, I do it all the time. The Japenese restaurant in the Marriott is quite good and the French restaurant in the Sofitel is awared winning even now. You can't get any cleaner or fresher than the Marriott and the staff is extremely friendly and speak English if need be.

DonDiego,
I was first in Rio in the late 80s when the Sofitel was still the Rio Palace. There was a coffee shop there -- on maybe the third floor -- with an outdoor eating area with an amazing view down the beach. You could see all the city lights against the dark of the ocean at night. It served very good food -- not coffee-shoppish food at all. It was called Atlantica, I believe. You just brought back a good memory.

Marigold, yes the Rio Palace was a fine hotel in its day, celebrities used to stay there like Paul Mccartney. The hotel has 2 restaurants like the one you mention with the veranda that stretches around the front with the best view of Copacabana and I have the pictures with me in them to prove it. Also the hotel now has an award winning French restaurants called Pre Catalin or something like that. Very exclusive and expensive by Rio standards and they have the Horseneck bar with live music on different nights. I used to stay there too back in the 80's but now I stop in now and then to have a drink and go to the shopping mall which is attached next door called Casino shopping, mostly antique shops and jewelry with souviners.

Marriot, is brand new and beautiful. American standards. Copabanana is nice during the day, night time is not the best place to walk around. Why not Ipanema,it is a more friendly and cleaner neighborhood. Safe to walk at night, lots of restaurants and cafes open till late at night and no hookers and pimps in every corner. Go into any BRASIL weebsite and look for hotels in Ipanema. Most likely if you are staying in Copacabana, you will need to take a taxi to go anywhere, in Ipanema you WALK. Also lots of small convinient stores (small supermarkets) and bakeries.

Bon viaje.....

It certainly is no secret that Copacabana has its fair share of working ladies but the area by the Mariott is really not known for this type of activity.