Rio de Janeiro - Hotels & Apartments

[Elkefaylepeep]

Rio Lover #2

Thanks! I did e-mail them directly, more than a week ago, but as yet no reply. I also e-mailed some Ladies who I'd like to see and who speak English, and I just got a three responses yesterday and today, but not much help:

Response #1

"I can meet you in your hotel or in another hotel!!!"

Response #2

"Every hotels of Windsor are a little problematic in accepting visitors."

Response #3

"The Windsor Hotel is good for me."

I'm following up on some apartments in the Centro Area, but making sure that they allow guests as part of my request. Hopefully that will work out, as the Windsor Asturias may not be a reliable spot for fun with the GDP's.

Thanks again!

[Rio Bob]

At most hotels, nothing. The rate is the same whether you make the reservation for one person or for two. Actually many hotels I have come across especially 3 star(including the Debret) do charge extra for a double especially if they are serving breakfast and it is included in the rate. Usually the extra fee is similar to a garota charge. Augusto's was an exception


Miramar, 2000; Not girl friendly since 2002, I stayed one day and moved out.

Debret, 2000-2001 Not girl friendly since 2004, I stayed here many times when it was, they charged extra for a double and I knew the whole staff of the hotel well.;

Caesar Park, 2002 Never been girl friendly unless you sneak her in like you do.Who needs this?;

Le Meridien, 2003 (now closed)irrelevant but were they girl friendly or did you have to sneak them in? ;

Sheraton Towers, 2004, 2006, 2008 From 1980 to 1987 I flew to Rio 35 times, must have stayed here 25 times with the Pan Am flight crew, it wasn't girl friendly then, had to sneak them in, good to see things have changed;

Augusto's Copacabana Hotel, 2004;

Atlantico Flat Service I know this place it is an ApartHotel so really different rules, girl friendly(on Rua Santa Clara across from La Maison; really a hotel in spite of the name), 2004.
L

I see your point, my responses in RED

[Rio Lover #2]

forgive me if i'm missing some previous report or faq, but i can't seem to find anything about experiences with bringing a lady friend to the room in this centro hotel -- any advice would be greatly appreciated. the reviews are good, and the price is reasonable, but if company in the evening is going to be a hassle, then i'll have to look elsewhere

(if there is a compilation of girl-friendly hotels in rio posted somewhere, i'd appreciate someone providing the url.)

failing that, any hotel recommendations in centro? i will have business there during the day every weekday for the two weeks i'll be there, so copa or ipanema would not be very convenient. windsor asturias is a short walk tomy business appointments, and close to the metro, so the beach is in reach.)

thanks!

elkefaylepeep,

i don' t know about the windsor asturias, but the windsor hoteis in copacabana are not girl friendly anymore. there were no problems until 2003; then they changed their policy.
maybe check with the hotel, ask them about it.

rl

[Elkefaylepeep]

Just wondering if anyone had any experience with the Hotel Windsor Asturias in Centro, or if not, could suggest any other decent hotels in the Centro area.

Thanks!

[Lorenzo]

What you're saying surely is true but how much extra does it cost for a double?

At most hotels, nothing. The rate is the same whether you make the reservation for one person or for two. Augusto's was an exception

Please post the list of hotels and when you stayed there as hotel rules may change from time to time.

Miramar, 2000; Debret, 2000-2001; Caesar Park, 2002; Le Meridien, 2003 (now closed); Sheraton Towers, 2004, 2006, 2008; Augusto's Copacabana Hotel, 2004; Atlantico Flat Service (on Rua Santa Clara across from La Maison; really a hotel in spite of the name), 2004.

On you last stay in Rio at the Sheraton, did you register as a double? Did you ever find a girl to bring back to your hotel this last trip? You were going to tell us if they gave you a hard time or not.

Yes, I registered as a double. I didn't exactly bring a girl back, but I had a girl from L'uomo come to the Sheraton after she got off from work; this was at midnight, since it was a Sunday night. She arrived at 12:40. Reception called and told me she had arrived. I told them that she was the second person sharing my room and to please register her and send her up. I told them they didn't need to give her a key since I had gotten two keys when I checked in. They checked her in and sent her up with no problem, and she stayed that night and the next one until I checked out on Tuesday. (In fact, I have some pictures of her but I am reluctant to post them because I don't want to get her in trouble with L'uomo.)

L

[Rio Bob]

This is absolutely not true. Most hotels--and I am speaking from experience--will let you bring a girl in if you reserve the room for 2 people. That is the key. You will need to register her, and she will have to show ID and fill out the registration form. Then they will let her in. If you want a list of hotels where I have done this, please let me know.

It is true that some hotels will not allow you to register a SECOND girl; they in effect consider the girl you first registered as your companion for your entire stay. There are ways around this however; just keep the second key and hote identification and give it to subsequent girls to show when they enter the hotel. Just make sure she gives it back to you when you get to the room, and lock it up!

L

What you're saying surely is true but how much extra does it cost for a double?

Please post the list of hotels and when you stayed there as hotel rules may change from time to time.

On you last stay in Rio at the Sheraton, did you register as a double? Did you ever find a girl to bring back to your hotel this last trip? You were going to tell us if they gave you a hard time or not.

[Lorenzo]

I think you will find that almost ALL of the hotels will charge extra for a girl to come to your room. That is why most rent apartments.
When you are asking of a hotel is guest friendly, are you asking if you can bring in a GDP for free? The blanket answer is pretty much NO. It is more of a queston if you can bring them in at all.

This is absolutely not true. Most hotels--and I am speaking from experience--will let you bring a girl in if you reserve the room for 2 people. That is the key. You will need to register her, and she will have to show ID and fill out the registration form. Then they will let her in. If you want a list of hotels where I have done this, please let me know.

It is true that some hotels will not allow you to register a SECOND girl; they in effect consider the girl you first registered as your companion for your entire stay. There are ways around this however; just keep the second key and hote identification and give it to subsequent girls to show when they enter the hotel. Just make sure she gives it back to you when you get to the room, and lock it up!

L

[Balluba]

The reason I am writing this is quite simple. I really hate to see people get taken and scammed. In Rio there is no shortage of people, especially gringos, who would like nothing more than to separate you from your hard-earned money.

Over the years, I have seen many people buy apartments in Rio. The story usually goes that a guy is coming to Rio year after year and is told by someone (usually the person who has been renting him his apartment) that he should buy an apartment in Rio. It is a great investment. It is, for the real estate agent who is selling it to you and has the hopes of managing it when you are not around.

There is a good tip to avoid paying to much. If the building or condominium are new, ask who are the other buyers. a) If they are mostly foreign, there is a hight risk you are paying way to much compared market price. b) If the buyers are mostly Brazilians, there is a fair chance that You pay a reasonable price. Try to find out what an earlier - other buyers have paid.

Also some rules to follow :
Always check references. Call earlier buyers, did everything go well, did they receive all the paperwork, was the apartment delivered 100% as agreed in advance etc. If there is a red flag coming up, run! Its like when mongering, it will not be better.

Also try to stay in the area in advance. Rent an apartment. Imagine You live there. How are infrastructure like restaurants, food stores, bus and metro ? Are the neighborhood pleasant, not to noisy and safe ? You will face different worries than when You are a regular tourist.

Read as many forums as possible and be basic sceptical.

[Exec Talent]

The reason I am writing this is quite simple. I really hate to see people get taken and scammed. In Rio there is no shortage of people, especially gringos, who would like nothing more than to separate you from your hard-earned money.

Over the years, I have seen many people buy apartments in Rio. The story usually goes that a guy is coming to Rio year after year and is told by someone (usually the person who has been renting him his apartment) that he should buy an apartment in Rio. It is a great investment. It is, for the real estate agent who is selling it to you and has the hopes of managing it when you are not around.

As I have said, if having an apartment in Rio does something for you, then by all means buy one. However, do not think you are making a good investment. I have seen guys pour a lot of money into apartments in both Copacabana and Ipanema and still for various reasons have what would be considered substandard accommodations in most other cities. Whether it is street noise, shoddy building construction, neighborhood, neighbors, there always seems to be some major distraction.

[Elkefaylepeep]

Forgive me if I'm missing some previous report or FAQ, but I can't seem to find anything about experiences with bringing a lady friend to the room in this Centro hotel -- any advice would be greatly appreciated. The reviews are good, and the price is reasonable, but if company in the evening is going to be a hassle, then I'll have to look elsewhere

(If there is a compilation of girl-friendly hotels in Rio posted somewhere, I'd appreciate someone providing the URL.)

Failing that, any hotel recommendations in Centro? I will have business there during the day every weekday for the two weeks I'll be there, so Copa or Ipanema would not be very convenient. Windsor Asturias is a short walk tomy business appointments, and close to the metro, so the beach is in reach.)

Thanks!

[Off Road]

I did hear from the hotel and found out that they do charge extra for guest visitors, so I won't go to that hotel.

I think you will find that almost ALL of the hotels will charge extra for a girl to come to your room. That is why most rent apartments.
When you are asking of a hotel is guest friendly, are you asking if you can bring in a GDP for free? The blanket answer is pretty much NO. It is more of a queston if you can bring them in at all.

[Henry R]

Henry, it would do no harm to your cause by being a little more careful with some of your answers.

You promote the one question after the other, and You get, from my view a good response from the experienced members.

Still, it is expected that a minimum of computer knowledge, use of google, e-mail and telephone can be had and done, before You ask.

If You compare with a number of other forums, You will observe that the tone of the Brazil forum is generally pleasant and helpful. Not as in a number of other forums, as characterized by sarcasm and RTFF attitude above the "new" ones.

Only by reading old reports, I have increased my enjoyment of travel, found useful advices, and avoided making major bloopers.

Several of the experienced members put down a lot of work to help and answer here in the forum as well as in countless PM's. Often, without receiving a "Thank You" in return.

Just a friendly advice,
Balluba

Balluba:

Thanks for the response. I did hear from the hotel and found out that they do charge extra for guest visitors, so I won't go to that hotel. Much of what you write makes sense. Except for the part where you write that most of the people writing here on this forum are nice and pleasant and are not sarcastic. You can't have read this entire thread and actually believe that. But I am not talking about you - I do thank you sincerely for your answer! This will absolutely be my last post concerning this thread.

[Sperto]

Thanks for counting!

You're welcome.

If you need help again you better push the button below.

[Balluba]

Thanks for counting!

Henry, it would do no harm to your cause by being a little more careful with some of your answers.

You promote the one question after the other, and You get, from my view a good response from the experienced members.

Still, it is expected that a minimum of computer knowledge, use of google, e-mail and telephone can be had and done, before You ask.

If You compare with a number of other forums, You will observe that the tone of the Brazil forum is generally pleasant and helpful. Not as in a number of other forums, as characterized by sarcasm and RTFF attitude above the "new" ones.

Only by reading old reports, I have increased my enjoyment of travel, found useful advices, and avoided making major bloopers.

Several of the experienced members put down a lot of work to help and answer here in the forum as well as in countless PM's. Often, without receiving a "Thank You" in return.

Just a friendly advice,
Balluba

[Henry R]

Henry R, we now have 14 posts regarding your question wether Hotel Bandeirantes is girl friendly or not.

Poucolouco told you they are so. If you want to know the fee's it would be very simple to email them (I gave you four emailaddresses).

If they will not allow any visitors you have a motel four blocks away at crossing between Av N S Copacabana and R Bãrao da Ipanema.

Thanks for counting!