“Very Contrasted Experience”
I have stayed in 3 hotels so far in Brazil.
Two in Rio De Janiero and One in Sao Paulo.
For Rio Standards this is a very nice hotel. In fact it is only a couple of years old and so thats mostly likely why it is so nice.
In general, hotels are not as well maintained in Brazil as they are in the United States. So the expectations should be that in a few years this hotel wont be as nice as it is now.
That said, couple of contrasting experiences with staff and hotel quality.
1) People at counter were very friendly and cleaning staff was very friendly.
2) Cleaning of the room was sporadic. In fact there were days when the room was never cleaned. When it actually was cleaned everything was done well.
3) Waiters and Room Service staff.
Very contrasting experience here as well. The hotel has different places
you can order food. There is a small bar area on top floor by the pool that
had very friendly and helpful staff.
There is a bar area in the lobby where I had totally the opposite experience.
Slow service. And extremely rude. Not so much to me, but to other people that I observed. They were literally making fun of them and mocking them almost directly in front of the clientele.
4) Other points
Gym was small with pretty new equipment.
Pool was nice and so were the views from the top floor.
Room was high quality for Brazil and brand new.
Area is probably one of the nicest places in the world to stay.
Area recommendations
Barra is a great "suburb" of Rio. Approximately 20-25 mins cab ride along the coast from Copacobana. That said make sure you add another 35 mins during rush hours.
It is much more a luxury area with a safer surroundings then other
places like Copacobana, Ipenema, LeBlond, or any of the beach areas along the coast in that region.
That said, this was my third time and Rio, and as you familiarize yourself with the surroundings your are not longer as concerned with the potential dangers (Favellas (giant slums), night walking prosititues .etc)
Rio has been and still continues to be the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. The landscape is hands down the most beautiful in the world. That said a couple of things taint the area.
1) Prostitution
It suprises me that even in the most luxurious areas (i.e. Barra) at 6pm when the sun sets, the prostitutes come out, in huge numbers. Now I understand Brazil is supposed to be this "release" place for things like this. But
I dont understand how these prostitutes can roam the streets next to $5million dollar condos and $500/night hotels. There are areas for that and they shouldn't be in certain places. This reminded me very much of Dubai and the huge prostitution problem they have over there.
2) Favellas
The slums are a big part of the skyline, considering more than 50% of people live bellow the poverty line. But with the olympics coming, it looks like more care is taken to assure securtiy in these areas.
Overall Beautiful
Nightlife
There are several "high-end" clubs in the area. Best bet is to ask a younger staff member at one of the hotels to provide you with several recommendations.
THe clubs in Barra are very prestigious with cover charges in the area of $50-60USD (just to get in).
Good news is there are plenty of women and none, or most are not prostitutes.
That said make sure you dont whind up in a spot like that, unless that is what you fancy.
There are plenty of clubs in the Copacobana region that are known for that.
Chances are if you have 5 girls crawling on you at once, and your not a movie star, then wake up and smell the coffee.
I also recommend these higher end clubs for women looking to party.
Outdoors or beach
Copacabana is obviously a top pick, But you will get the same sort of beautiful views and relatively the same sort of traffic in adjacent beaches Ipenema, Leblonde, and others.
Views are great, beach and sand quality pretty decent. Water gets deep quiick and there's a pretty strong back current, so be various cautious with your children and also if you can't swim very well.
