Miramar Hotel By Windsor
Copacabana & Leme
Set on a prime plot of real estate overlooking Copacabana beach,...
Rio has some excellent lodging options, including newly opened boutique hotels along the beach, trendy hostels and cozy B&Bs. The majority of hotel rooms are in high-rises in the Zona Sul (Copacabana has scores of options), though you'll also find elegant hotels, bohemian guesthouses and budget favorites in offbeat neighborhoods. Many guestrooms have received a makeover in recent years, particularly since Rio won the right to host both the 2014 FIFA World Cup (shared with other cities in Brazil) and the 2016 Olympics.
For those unfamiliar with Rio, here's the lowdown on where to stay. If you want to be in the heart of the action and don't mind paying for it, stay in Ipanema or Leblon, with beautiful beaches, and excellent restaurants, shopping and nightlife. If you don't want to pay a premium for those neighborhoods, opt for busier Copacabana. Here you'll find more (including some less expensive) lodging options, and you'll still be near the beach, and a short taxi ride or possibly a walk to Ipanema; you'll also have better access to the metro, which is handy for zipping to other neighborhoods. If you're not in Rio for the beaches or simply want an alternative view, take a peak at Santa Teresa's colonial guesthouses. This historic 'hood has culture, some unique overnight options, and good restaurants and cafés. It's also close to the unrivaled music scene of Lapa. Neighborhoods along the metro line (Botafogo, Flamengo and Catete) generally have cheaper options than the beachside southern neighborhoods; and for those who want the beach, and nothing but the beach, there's Barra, which is laid back but far from the rest of Rio (meaning you'll need a car or boatloads of patience to endure those long bus or pricey taxi rides). Use the airport hotels only if necessary.
The best way to save money on lodging is by booking online. You can save anywhere from 30% to over 50% off the rack rates by booking through reliable Rio booking agencies such as www.ipanema.com and www.riocharm.com.br.
Wherever you stay, try to reserve ahead. Hotel rates are about 30% higher during the summer months (December through mid-March) and many places book up. Prices double or triple for New Year's Eve and Carnaval, and most accommodations, including hostels, will only book in four-day blocks around these holidays.
Keep in mind that many hotels add between 5% and 15% in taxes and service charges. The cheaper places don't generally bother with this. Another caveat: in recent years some midrange and high-end hotels have begun charging extra for breakfast (anywhere from R$15 to R$30 per person); some also charge for wi-fi, so be sure to read the fine print before booking.
Accommodations are listed in each neighborhood by price, from most to least expensive.
Copacabana & Leme
Set on a prime plot of real estate overlooking Copacabana beach,...
Ipanema & Leblon
This is a simple hotel with nice touches...
Ipanema & Leblon
With stylish rooms, a great location and a much-touted seafood r...
Ipanema & Leblon
Here you'll find beautifully decorated rooms, doting service and...
Ipanema & Leblon
Not to be confused with the slightly fancier Mercure Arp...
Barra da Tijuca & West of Rio
This lovely all-suites hotel features stylish, modern furnishing...
Copacabana & Leme
One of Rio's priciest hotels, the French-owned Sofitel does its ...
Copacabana & Leme
Rio's most famous hotel has hosted heads of state, rock stars an...
Copacabana & Leme
The Spanish-owned Orla Copacabana has attractive, understated ro...
Flamengo & Around
Set on a quiet street lined with imperial palm trees, the Paysan...
Ipanema & Leblon
Overlooking Praia do Arpoador (Arpoador beach), this six-story h...
Copacabana & Leme
Set in a handsome, white building overlooking Copacabana beach, ...
Ipanema & Leblon
With a view of Ipanema beach, this popular 16-story hotel offers...
Ipanema & Leblon
Atlantis' rooms are clean and perfectly serviceable, but the who...
Santa Teresa & Lapa
Mama Ruisa aims for bohemian chic in its seven spacious, uniquel...
Copacabana & Leme
Augusto's plays off the kitschy ancient Rome theme with murals o...
Ipanema & Leblon
This reliable hotel in Ipanema has trim, modern rooms with decen...
Ipanema & Leblon
Occupying prime real estate facing Ipanema beach, the tall, slen...
Ipanema & Leblon
A top choice in Ipanema, the 18-story Plaza features nicely deco...
Copacabana & Leme
This dapper all-suites hotel is nicely located in Arpoador, givi...
On the 3rd floor of the airport, it's the marginally better of the two hotels...
Santa Teresa & Lapa
Probably the finest boutique hotel in Rio, it's set in a lavishl...
Copacabana & Leme
Overlooking a leafy park, the unmarked Jucati doesn’t offer much...
Botafogo & Urca
One block from the metro, this small well-run hostel has a range...
Flamengo & Around
Offering some of the more affordable suites in Rio, Mengo Palace...
Copacabana & Leme
The midrange Apa is a seven-story, 52-room hotel with bright spa...
Copacabana & Leme
One of Copacabana’s glass-and-steel high-rises, this 11-story ho...
Copacabana & Leme
Near the Ipanema end of Copacabana, this is an all-glass high-ri...
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