Rio de Janeiro - Hotels & Apartments

[Exec Talent]

Eric, who speaks English better than many Americans, runs.

http://www.copaapartments.com/

Which was mentioned by a poster in the Rio Reports Thread.

He is a good guy who understands the value of long-term relationships and customer service.

[Coronel]

It will be in your rental agreement. Best to read before you sign. Hopefully, it will be in English. If not, best to ask the person you'll be renting from.

Now that is a very valuable piece of advice.

Thank you.

[Java Man]

I'm about to book a studio close to Copacabana for a long stay. What's the policy in general, I'm a free to bring in anyone I want? In my case the monthly rent is 2500 reals and there is 24h security.

In general doesn't matter. Why are you asking us? Ask the person you rented from about your specific apartment rental.Here's your sign.

Back in the day, general rule was one could bring any guest to an apartment. Now, some apartments do not allow you to have GDP's as guests. It will be in your rental agreement. Best to read before you sign. Hopefully, it will be in English. If not, best to ask the person you'll be renting from.

[Coronel]

Why are you asking us? Ask the person you rented from about your specific apartment rental.

Because that's what this place is for. Weird you don't understand why it's much better to form a general idea here before dealing with, let's say, elderly landlady.

[Exec Talent]

I'm about to book a studio close to Copacabana for a long stay. What's the policy in general, I'm a free to bring in anyone I want? In my case the monthly rent is 2500 reals and there is 24h security.

In general doesn't matter. Why are you asking us? Ask the person you rented from about your specific apartment rental.

Here's your sign.

[Coronel]

I'm about to book a studio close to Copacabana for a long stay. What's the policy in general, I'm a free to bring in anyone I want? In my case the monthly rent is 2500 reals and there is 24h security.

[Exec Talent]

This question seems to come up a lot so as someone who has stayed at many hotels in Copacabana and Ipanema, I thought I would offer some general guidance.

Before you select a hotel, call them. Ask about their guest policy. The person who answers the phone will almost certainly speak English. If they don't just say English?

Check the rates for a double booking. In most cases it is the same or just slightly more than a single. You want to book for double occupancy. Learn some basic Portuguese. It will go a long way.

When you check in get to know the front desk personnel and bellmen. This is the time to pass around a few Reais. You also will want to revisit the front desk after 4:00 when they change personnel since this is the time when you mostly will be bringing in your new friend (s). Brazilians are very social. They will see you coming and going so don't think you have even the slightest chance of putting anything past them. Better to be seen as the friendly foreigner than a jerk who is just there to bang their women.

Chose your company wisely. For the hotel, they don't want to be viewed by their other guests as hooker central. Do your part to not make them look bad. If the girl is staying over and will be joining you for breakfast, make sure she has the appropriate clothes.

Comments I see on here about certain upscale hotels not being girl friendly are just wrong. They are not ugly foreigner friendly. If you and your girl know how to handle yourself, there is not a hotel in Rio that will not allow her to spend the night with you.

[Kyrawz]

Does atlantico Copacabana is still a girl-friendly hotel. I please let me know.

It was in 2011.

So I think is still available.

[WhyAlone]

I hope you keep your expectations low for a 2-night quickie trip. IMHO, you can sample most of all the best things about Brasileras by sessioning on-site at the prives and / or termas. If you are a stealth individual you can possibly sneak a girl into any hotel without being charged. With the Accor chain, the Ibis, Mercure & undoubtedly the Sofitel. It has been my limited experience that THEY will charge you an overnight guest fee if you bring the girl to reception, have them check her I'd & if she stays with you past 6/7am. Sneaking a girl past reception is not recommended since if something goes wrong you won't have the protection / assistance from the hotel...

Does atlantico Copacabana is still a girl-friendly hotel. I please let me know.

[Exec Talent]

Why not just stay in a Love Motel?

http://www.guiademoteis.com.br/rio-de-janeiro

Just be aware that Valentine's Day in Brazil is June 12.

One of my current favorites is Elegance which is close to the metro line and between the downtown and Copacabana.

[Vitrea]

I hope you keep your expectations low for a 2-night quickie trip. IMHO, you can sample most of all the best things about Brasileras by sessioning on-site at the prives and / or termas. If you are a stealth individual you can possibly sneak a girl into any hotel without being charged. With the Accor chain, the Ibis, Mercure & undoubtedly the Sofitel. It has been my limited experience that THEY will charge you an overnight guest fee if you bring the girl to reception, have them check her I'd & if she stays with you past 6/7am. Sneaking a girl past reception is not recommended since if something goes wrong you won't have the protection / assistance from the hotel.

For only 2 nights, I recommend you to check out airbnb. Last year I stayed with great hosts in both Sao Paulo and Rio very economically. I was very discreet with my monger activities and did not bring any girls home so that is the unfortunate effect of being frugal. But there are plenty of places on airbnb that are entire apartments instead of shared places. Communicate all your requirements clearly with the host via the website and you should find something that works for you.

The hotel that had the most liberal guest policy over the years IMHO is the Hotel Atlantico Copacabana on Rua Siqueira Campos. It is 3 blocks from Ave Atlantico and the beach. It's been over 7 years since I stayed there but the hotel did not have a guest fee policy. They encourage you to register your guest but did not charge a fee. In fact, a night manager got fired for pocketing fees from the guests that he charged. When I stayed there, they always included a huge all you can eat buffet breakfast on the 2nd floor dining area daily. Unfortunately the decor of this hotel is stuck in the 70's. Google for their room photos and you'd understand what I mean. From the hotel, you can walk to Monte Carlo in 5 minutes and to Luomo (which is now closed) in 2! The entrance to the Metro is across the street and can get you to Centro where 4x4, Termas 65 & Cancun is in 30mins. Botafogo is a neighborhood in between Copacabana and Centro. As far as I know there is no Action in that area. Botafogo Shopping is a decent but small sized mall with cinemas inside. The beach is more quiet than Copacabana beach and there is probably some old churches to sight-see.

Almotu, Thank you for your kind and detailed reply. This is extremely useful.

Others have posted that they got charged by the hotels for bringing an overnight guest in but I do not see what the fees might be. If it is R$50, I won't stress too much.

BTW, I always book a room for 2 people and when I am checking in, I tell them that my "friend" will be joining me later. I even make them put a note in the computer system to that effect. This has worked for me before in other cities including Dubai, where some hotels are pretty strict. However, this is my first mongering trip to Rio and sounds like that plan may not work in Rio.

[Almotu]

I read the relevant threads and I am confused. I saw posts with some good advice on Rio hotels and Accor hotels recommendation from 2011 but there was no mention if they are girl friendly. I am going to Rio only for 2 nights only and I am looking for a girl friendly hotel as most apartments do not rent for two nights. Where should I stay? Some seem to prefer Botafogo? Ideally I want to be less than 10 minutes by taxi ride from the girl pick up places.

Thank you for your advice.

I hope you keep your expectations low for a 2-night quickie trip. IMHO, you can sample most of all the best things about Brasileras by sessioning on-site at the prives and / or termas. If you are a stealth individual you can possibly sneak a girl into any hotel without being charged. With the Accor chain, the Ibis, Mercure & undoubtedly the Sofitel. It has been my limited experience that THEY will charge you an overnight guest fee if you bring the girl to reception, have them check her ID & if she stays with you past 6/7am. Sneaking a girl past reception is not recommended since if something goes wrong you won't have the protection / assistance from the hotel.

For only 2 nights, I recommend you to check out airbnb. Last year I stayed with great hosts in both Sao Paulo and Rio very economically. I was very discreet with my monger activities and did not bring any girls home so that is the unfortunate effect of being frugal. But there are plenty of places on airbnb that are entire apartments instead of shared places. Communicate all your requirements clearly with the host via the website and you should find something that works for you.

The hotel that had the most liberal guest policy over the years IMHO is the Hotel Atlantico Copacabana on Rua Siqueira Campos. It is 3 blocks from Ave Atlantico and the beach. It's been over 7 years since I stayed there but the hotel did not have a guest fee policy. They encourage you to register your guest but did not charge a fee. In fact, a night manager got fired for pocketing fees from the guests that he charged. When I stayed there, they always included a huge all you can eat buffet breakfast on the 2nd floor dining area daily. Unfortunately the decor of this hotel is stuck in the 70's. Google for their room photos and you'd understand what I mean. From the hotel, you can walk to Monte Carlo in 5 minutes and to Luomo (which is now closed) in 2! The entrance to the Metro is across the street and can get you to Centro where 4x4, Termas 65 & Cancun is in 30mins. Botafogo is a neighborhood in between Copacabana and Centro. As far as I know there is no Action in that area. Botafogo Shopping is a decent but small sized mall with cinemas inside. The beach is more quiet than Copacabana beach and there is probably some old churches to sight-see.

[Vitrea]

I read the relevant threads and I am confused. I saw posts with some good advice on Rio hotels and Accor hotels recommendation from 2011 but there was no mention if they are girl friendly. I am going to Rio only for 2 nights only and I am looking for a girl friendly hotel as most apartments do not rent for two nights. Where should I stay? Some seem to prefer Botafago? Ideally I want to be less than 10 minutes by taxi ride from the girl pick up places.

Thank you for your advice.

[Grrrr]

Hi ISG'ers,

It's been 12 years since I've been in Brazil but I'm coming back with a few friends for Carnival 2014 and need a girl friendly apartment. I've checked out the long running rioapartments. Com and have found a few, but I have no idea whether they're girl friendly. Any other ideas where to look?

Thanks in advance

[ProfHacker]

Olympics and World Cup always inflates local land value to sky high rates. When the Olympics were here a few years ago even the local dive hotels were charging $1, 000 per night I fully expect Rio to do the same until all the events are over and gone. Expect a ton of scammers on craigslist and other internet sites to sell you fake apartments that don't exist for western union and other non reversible payment methods so don't get scammed.

Everybody should also be aware of the most common worldwide apartment scam which is a guy who meets you out front, claims there is another interested party and that you must give him first month rent or downpayment / damage deposit immediately or else he rents to somebody else. He will have a cell and be talking to fake person on phone claiming that person is in bidding war with you. Straight up scam if the guy doesn't have a key to let you inside he doesn't own the place.

I got an apartment in Rio just by talking to local ESL brazillian students where I live to help me and thus avoided scams in online ads and websites.