UPSCALE RIO HOTELS
 

We (a gay couple) will be going to Rio over Thanksgiving this year and are getting so many conflicting recommendations on hotels. Our thought was to stay in the Copacabana Beach area, due to the ability to use the metro, but have also considered Ipanema Beach area. We were considering the Copacabana Palace, but it looked like it may be a bit tired, then thought about the Sofitel, which no one seems to know about. Our most recent advice was to stay at the Caesar Park. Help!!!!! Any ideas for first time travelers to Rio? Thanks.

If you are going to stay at the beaches, Ipanema is the usual recommendation. The metro line has been extended, here's the map.

http://www.metrorio.com.br/estacoes.htm

An alternative place to stay is St Teresa which is near many of the clubs in Lapa.

If you want upscale in Rio you have two choices. The Copacabana Palace, or the Fasano, in Ipanema. Check both out. Ipanema is the better location all around but the Palace is a very impressive hotel. If you opt for the Palace you want a room with a view, not in the back over looking a side street. Same for the Fasano. Both are expensive options. Good luck. Rio is great.

Thanks Susan7 and tengohambre, for your quick responses. One question, though - do either of you know anything at all of the Sofitel or the Caesar Park?

Can't help you on either of them. They are, however, both listed in the Wallpaper guide to Rio which is usually quite reliable in terms of upmarket hotels. My only cautionary note would be that Rio is substantially more expensive than any other Brazilian city, bit like New York relative to the rest of the US, hence you don't get a lot of bang for your buck.

Neither is in the same league as the Copa Palace or the Fasano.

Both the Sofitel and the Cesar Park are in desperate need of renovation. Unfortunately, many Rio hotels are. Demand simply way outstrips supply, there is limited room for new hotel construction and, thus, the hotels are in the cat bird seat, so to speak. HIgh prices and, by and large, structures and accomodations that are below expectations. It is frustrating for the visitor.

Of them all, however, the CPark does have the best location, right across from Posto No. 9, on Ipanema beach, where you likely want to be to see the world go by. And great location for restaurants, shopping, getting around. Yet, taxis in Rio are everywhere, safe and relatively cheap. The pool at the CPark is teeny, even smaller than the small pools most every other hotel has. It is also more of a biziness hotel. The pool at the Copa Palace, however, is large and quite a sight. Check out pricing for the hotels too. Some Brazil agents also may have some better prices. Good luck.

I was in Rio in July (stayed at the Copacabana Palace)

There really are only two options if you are looking for premier accommodations in the city. The Copacabana Palace or The Fasano.

It all depends on what you are looking for in a hotel and where you want to be. The Copacabana Palace is an historic European Style full service Hotel. The rooms are classic in style with signature Orient Express style bathrooms and levels of service. The hotel has all the amenities. I agree with Tengohambre and would recommend paying for an Ocean view accommodation over the city view. The Copacabana has the best pool, spa, and restaurant of any hotel in Rio.

The Fasano is a very very very contemporary Phillipe Starck designed hotel on Ipanema beach. It is a smaller hotel only 79 or so rooms, It is one of the newer hotels in Rio, very popular with Brazilians vacationing in Rio, but the pool, spa, and public spaces while very nice are on a much smaller scale compared to the Copacabana Palace. It is a very nice hotel but the rooms feel a little "minimalist" for my taste.

Does anyone have any advice/warning/recommendations about the Sheraton in Rio?

I'm going on SmarTours to Santiago, Chile, staying at the Atton El Bosque Hotel, and to Puerto Varas, staying at the Cabanas del Lago.

In Bariloche, Argentina, we're booked for the Panamericano Hotel.

In Buenos Aires, it's the Elevage Hotel

At Iguassu Falls, Brazilian side, it's the Mabu Resort.

I know these are not likely to be premier, since it is a tour, but more like tourist class. I've googled the hotels and checked out TripAdvisor and other places. Some like them, some don't.

But I would love to hear what any of you say, who may have stayed at one of these hotels.

Thanks.

For less than 1/2 what some of those hotels charge you can rent a 2 or 3 bedroom Penthouse in Rio.

All I can say is that I recommend staying in Ipanema. It's a bit nicer than Copa, and a titch less touristy, I loved it. The only disadvantage is distance from the main tourist sights. Traffic in Rio is a nightmare, so our guide spent lots of time driving us back and forth. With the subway now extended, things should be easier, if we were doing it now, even with a guide, we'd take the subway part way and meet the guide somewhere more central.

Thank you all for your really helpful assistance. We have booked at the Copa Palace, and we're now just about 6 weeks out from our trip! I will be posting one more topic asking about hotel recommendations, but if any of y'all see it here and have any thoughts, I'd certainly welcome them. You sound like you know Rio!! Thanks again.

Oops, sorry, in my post a moment ago, I meant to say restaurant recommendations!

That is so nice that you are going to Rio, it's an amazing city. I went to Rio with my boyfriend and we stayed in a wonderful apartment which I booked through www.oasisrio.com. They have apartments in many nice areas in Rio. I hope you enjoy your trip and drink lots of sucos and caipirinhas.

You could have checked out Ipanema Plaza in Ipanema, while not luxury it is very nice and it is located in the gay neighborhood.

Sofitel has been renovated and in a good location in Copa.

Sheraton Rio is on the beach and more like a resort hotel although a little removed from Ipanema and Copa.

Fasano is nice but overpriced.

Nothing wrong with the Copa Palace but I'd rather have the money in my pocket to spend because you're gonna need it.

Hi world traveler, if you wish a classy hotel that has a tradition and it is in a lovely place choose the Copacabana Palace. This is Rio at it best, you are visiting Rio after all, right?

Hi worltraveler,

Heading to Rio at the same time you are (femme lesbian couple). Decided to end the dilemma between Copacabana Palace and Fasano by deciding to stay in both...so starting out in Copa followed by Fasano. So point is...if you are going for 1 week, there is no reason to not split your stay between both Rio hotels. As we see it, we experience the best of both worlds. Exteeeensive research helped us realize that each side of Rio had something quite unique and amazing to offer and these are experiences we just couldn't compromise on.

Regarding restaurant recommendations...Aprazivel in Santa Teresa appears to be a must. Maybe we'll bump into each other! :)

You are visiting my most favorite city in the world where I've managed to travel there on 7 occasions in eight years during this decade. Please check out this website: www.rioguiaoficial.com.br/en/. It's full of great tips and ideas and information for the first time visitors as well as veteran or seasoned carioca-lovers.

Take a heliocopter ride over the city on a sunny day; get it in the Flamengo area. Prior to taking your short but outstanding trip--have lunch at the restaurant which is right there.

I've done this twice, and both times it has been mighty marvelous. <Seeing some of the beauty from this vantage point is a superb treat, too, so take lots of photos.>

Lastly do your homework regarding the Dos and the Donts. That way your trip should be free of any problems.

Lastly, lastly check out: www.riogayguide.com. It, too, is chalk full of information which would be of great help to you and your partner.