Rio de Janeiro - Hotels & Apartments

[Tman777]

I just returned from a week in Rio (5th time). I've stayed at the Luxor Regente, the Orla, the Debret, and the Rio Roiss. I really think for cost, friendliness, cleanliness, and location it is hard to beat the Rio Roiss. Because of so many posts on the board about the Debret, I stayed there my first night. The "oceanfron suite" is a joke. Really just two bedrooms with a bathroom, old furnishings, not too clean, and right above construction on Ave. Atlantica which provided lots of jackhammers beginning about 7AM.

Needless to say, I moved the next morning to the Rio Roiss and was quite satisfied for about US $68 per night double (no guest fees). Also I think the location is great because returning at night from Help, the Rio Orthon Palace has its security guys all around their hotel--which just happens to be across from the Rio Roiss.

[Doc Bill]

Thanks Jony V! To all you other guys, i'm still looking for a hotel in Copacabana If you've got any feedback on the following (quality, service, guest policy, etc) please be kind enough to share it with me so I can decide. Thanks so much!

Copacabana Rio
Rio Roiss
Hotel Copacabana Mar
Windsor Palace
Atlantico Copacabana
Augusto's Copacabana

[Jony Vegas]

DocBill

Here is a post from June17th. I called the Augustos hotel before my last visit and they told me there was no fee for a guest if i booked a double room. Wrong!!! There was no fee if an only if one girl (the same girl) stayted with me the entire time. In fact one girl i brought back had her ID stolen from her and they wouldnt let her in with her expired ID. What a bummer, so we went to a Rio motel (they are 6-8 hours for sex).

Anyway here is the post. do with it as you please and best for luck. Hope you don't get screwed (in a bad way) like I did. BTW, I have stayed at two hotels in Rio that did not charge for feamle guests, but they are not always consistent either and cost more money.

_________________________________________________
Posted by Curry June 17th, 2003

Clarification!

(At the Rio Rioss. Pronounced Hio Hioss for Americans ). It is about 150 Rs for a double room. You will be allowed 1 guest at a time with no fee. If she spends the night , you get charged 50 Rs for her stay. I KNOW BECAUSE I JUST LEFT on JUNE 13th 2003 .
_________________________________________________

Vegas

[Bandy]

DocBill449,

Thanks for your post. You are getting a better rate than mine. They offered me 15% discount instead of 20% you received. May be the rate in October is little high. Thanks again for the information.

Bandy

[Doc Bill]

Bandy,

I just received this info directly from the Rio Roiss...this should clear things up:

Our rates with breakfast included and payment at Hotel is:
Dbl standard = R$ 200,00 + 5%tax with 20% discount = R$ 160,00 + 5%tax.
Sgl Standard = R$ 150,00 + 5%tax with 20% discount = R$ 120,00 + 5%tax.
If you reserve a dbl standard there is no charge for the guest.
If you reserve a sgl standard it will be charge the rate of R$53,00 for any time you bring a guest.
The Hotel allows only one guest per night.

[Carlos Primeros]

I tried the Debret and the Rio Roiss.

A very good alternative is the

Hotel Ibiza Copacabana
Rua Belfort Roxo

It is just 2 blocks away from MABs and Balcony.

They are girl-friendly good people with great rooms.

I usually bood a suite, double. In this way the breakfast is also included for the garota.

They give you allways first their full prices

Suite 340 BR$
Standard room 220 BR$

But in low season the settle for 220 BR$ for a suite. I do not know what they discount the Standard room for.

The suites are great, have everything, and the have also a small roof pool.

Carlos

[Bandy]

curry and Athos:

Could you clear up the guest situation at Rio Roiss please? I booked a double room for October @170 Reals/day. Now, Curry you are saying I still will be charged per chica for TLN and Athos, you are saying that I would incurr no charge. What is the real deal? Curry, could you also clarify your statement "if she spends the night". What kind of hours we are talking about? I only booked at Rio Roiss, because all my readings about this hotel gave me the impression that you won't be charged at all for an additional guest if you book a double room. I will really appreciate a clear answer. Thanks,

Bandy

[Doc Bill]

hey jony vegas,

Thanks so very much for the info! Rio Rioss looks good, but the Debret has better rates and includes breakfast and taxes (unlike RR). Do you have any opinion on the Debret? Their guest policy?

As for apartments, I would prefer a hotel and I do want to see the country a bit and not get stuck in Rio the whole time. Other names I've come across, in case you may know about them, are: Copacabana Rio, Atlantico Copacabana, Augusto's Copacabana and Windsor Palace. I'll pass on the Aproadar, I don't need grungy.

Thanks again very much! If you're there when I am (Sept) let me buy you a drink or three!

[Jony Vegas]

Rodriguinho

Let me know how the place is!! I am just speaking from personal experience and my preferences. If it is where I think you are describing, it is in an area call Arpoador (the "r" is silent - damn my portuguese lessons are paying off).

The place your describing was right across the street from one I entered and checked a room out. I did not see inside the place your staying. Anyway, it is very noisey and busy with traffic, dimly lit, no restaurants open at night there ( a few blocks away there were a couple). Personally, I did not feel safe walking around that area.

I have the names of many apartment folks in Rio now, thanks in part to "King of Rio". Anyway, Hakan, an honest guy, helpful and he speaks perfect English has a website and many apartments to choose from. If he doesn't work out let me know, but he should be able to help you if you know your travel dates. He has pictures he can send you of the apartments.

Ask for Hakan or email him with the link on his web site and tell him Jony Vegas referred you (don't take my apt). His Rio number is (21) 2235-7180.

www.rioapartments.com

Tell him specifically what you want and price range and he can send you some pics of what's available. I have been to his office and seen a few apartments with his assistant.

David is with Gringomanagement. We traded emails and he seems like a nice guy, but I was looking for a long-term spacious 1 bedroom with A/C and cable (looking for a needle in a hay stck in Copacabana), something he did not have at the time.

The only risk you have is that if you don't reserve an apartment in advance it your choices may be limited when you get there. Who knows, you may end up liking your apart-hotel and want to stay there at those prices.

Good luck - not sure if I helped,

Vegas

[Rodriguinho]

Thanks Jony Vegas,

Well I'm considering that particular aparthotel because my brother stayed there in Feb. and said that it was great, brand new, just opened a few months ago. He told me that the price was like R$120. Besides it's operated by a French chain (Accor) thet I've tried in the past, so I know thaty it's gonna be good. Now is the area that bad? I've been to Rio twice and I remember Ipanema being better than Copa, so I was assuming that this area (the border between the two) was going to be not as good as Ipanema but better than Copa.

About athe apts. please post as much info as you can, it's always welcomed. I'm gonna get to Rio around Aug 1st so I was planning to get there stay in a aparthotel for 1 or 2 days and then look for an apt. If I find something that I like change and if not stay in the Parthenon. My buddy from Miami already booked and apt. from gringomanagement.com but I was not impressed by what I saw in the webpage.

Laters

Rodrigo

EDITOR's NOTE: Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions for capitalization and punctuation. To avoid future delays, please refrain from using the "chat room" style of writing with no caps or punctuation. Thanks!

[Jony Vegas]

DocBill

I do not know about the airpasses, and I believe someone else answered your question regardning that anyway.

Buenos Aires is great, however, it is slower there also (winter season) and many hotties have left the action there for now. I see you have posted a few questions on that board. They can give you more insight.

The Rioss Hotel is one block from the beach and right by the action, Disco HELP and the diners near it. It is also close enoguh to walk to or a short cab ride to Termas, Luomo and Monte Carlo. I have walked by this hotel many times but never stayed in it. I suggest you personally call them about their guest policy and tell them that you plan on a different girl every night and what their policy is. I suggest this because policies change all the time and you don't want to get blind sided. The hotel is on a quiet street, but I don't know about the rooms. Through an interent search before, I think I saw it got 2 star rating (whatever it was, it was 1 below what I find acceptable for me). But, I have never stayed there so I can't knock it.

Most other hotels in your price range will charge you between 50-100 reais per night for a girl. I have stayed at 2 other hotels that did not charge for girls, but they were $150 - 250 dollars a night to begin with.

I suggest you stay in Copacabana versus Ipanema. Ipanema is more expensive and you won't find anything in your price range. I prefer the Ipanema beaches, but the action is in Copacabana.

Like you, I prefer hotels, however, in your case, on your budget and not wanting a hotel charge for the girls, I suggest renting an apartment for whatever days you are there. You will be spending good mongering dollars on airline flights that will probably run you close to $800 US dollars, if you go to the falls and BA. For that price you can rent an apartment in Copacabana for one month.

Let me know if you would consider an apartment, and I can give you a few numbers to call (good reliable folks). If you call them, you better be serious, or they won't give you the better choices.

In any event, you are going to need to know your exact travel dates, whether a hotel or apartment. So you need to figure out your itinerary first.

Personally, I suggest an apartment for you, I think you will be happy with that. Even if you stay there a couple weeks, have the apartment people get you a maid service twice a week to do your laundry, etc... it is not very expensive. You can get a 1 bedroom, Air, most dont have cable, but possible, for $45-60 US/night. If you book for two weeks you can negotiate a better deal. They won't have a phone, but you can rent a cell phone for $3 US dollars/day. Remember, with an apartment, there is no hassle for the girls or extra charge. The downside is...many do not have a safe for your valuables.

If you dont mind a 1 star or 2 star place, a bit of a walk to the beach and short taxi rides (or bus) to get to where you want to go (because a bit dangerous). Then Aproader (between Copacabana and Ipanema) is your best choice for saving a few bucks on hotel and not having to pay for a girl. They are old, and grungy looking, but have all the conveniences.

Let me know what you decide and think is best for you.

Vegas

[Doc Bill]

Hey Jony Vegas,

Thanks so much for responding to my post on the Rio Board and for offering to advise me...I am very grateful! Ok, here's the deal: I arrive in Rio September 4 for one month. During that time I'd like to visit some other places, definitely the Iguassu Falls, Pantanal, and I'm not sure about Salvadore, as many say it is very dangerous (???).

Where and how should I get an air pass, or should I not bother? I booked my flight through Blameitonrio4travel.com.

I'm also thinking about taking a side trip to Buenos Aires from the Falls. Do you have any opinion or information about that?

In Rio should I stay at Ipanema or Copacabana? I would prefer an ocean view and I absolutely must have a quiet room as I am a light sleeper. Since I plan on some heavy partaking of the local action, I want a hotel that doesn't charge guest fees (I understand that Rio Rioss (sp?) is one). I can spend up to about 70 USD per night but of course would prefer less. The more amenities the better (satellite tv, phone, etc.). I assume they all have air conditioning (?).

Again, thank you so much for your offer of help. I look forward to your reply.

Bill

[Jony Vegas]

Rodriguinho

The area your are staying is called Arpoador. I have actually looked at a couple hotels/apart-hotels and an apartment in that area.

Besides it being very busy and congested, I did not feel safe waling around there like other areas. Therefore you would need to take a taxi any and everywhere at night.

It is typically a very loud area, unless you get an inside room. I did not see one place in that area that I would stay. I did look at a place rgiht across the street from the place you are sonsidering. I recommend a hotel in Copacabana or even an apartment for $45 US a night in a better area that happens to be closer to the action.

I don't know your budget or cost of the room at that place, but I would guess the price of the room there was under $50 US a night, excluding taxes.

To each their own, but that is the bottom end of what Copacabana has to offer.

Vegas

[Jony Vegas]

Well, since no one offered any info or assistance here on apartments in Rio to me, I did all the leg work myself. I spoke with and met with over 15 different people. Some offering just one apartment and others offering more. I also have the scoop on most hotels and Apart-Hotels. So if anyone wants to know anything ask away. I am sure I have the answer, especially if it's about one of the apartment companies who advertise on the interent.

Glad I can provide this public service

Vegas

[Jony Vegas]

Looking to rent a nice furnished 1 bedroom apartment for a two months. Does anyone have any contacts or hidden gems to rent during the August - October timeframe?

I have already done a search on Google and contacted those companies listed. I am looking for other contacts and/or cut out the middle-man to get a nice place and save a few bucks to put towards the entertainment fund.

Thanks,
Vegas