Rio Lodging Questions

[goingtorio]

Hi everyone -

 

I am preparing for March trip to Rio and wanted some advice/info on the choices that I am considering for lodging. Despite the fact that the saunas, etc. are in Copacabana, I am planning on staying in Ipanema for a bit more relaxed experience.

 

I am considering (1) renting an apartment in Ipanema so as to avoid guest problems but (2) i heard that aropador inn is actually rather ok and fine with guests.

 

Does anyone have any advice on the choice between the two above? It is my first time to Rio and while I think I prefer the apartment, I think it may be nice to have hotel staff to help out if necessary. What does everyone think?

 

Thanks in advance.

[gulliver]

I think you should reconsider staying in Ipanema if you are coming to Rio by yourself for the first time.

 

Having been in Rio nine times during the past year, for me, the nighttime getting together at Corujinhas with the m4m guys who are in town is one of my favorite ways to pass time. I have made many new and good friends and even on rainy nights there is always a group of 5 to 10 of us sitting around "our" table. It is just so easy to walk back to a Copa location. I favor the Atlantico because it is so easy to have an overnight guest and there is always someone to chat with at breakfast or around the pool.

 

Whenever I have tried to steer someone to staying at the Atlantico for their first trip as opposed to another hotel, they have usually had a problem that somewhat hindered their vacation. Perhaps some of the posters who stayed at other hotels where they had guest problems this Christmas will comment. If you want an apartment rather than a hotel, Carlo Romanus will be able to find you one if you contact him

that will allow more nighttime socializing than staying in Ipanema.

 

I think Ipanema would be a better idea for a return and not your first trip if meeting other traveller's is one of your interests. If this is not a major interest, than perhaps Ipanema might offer you something. I favor Copacabana because once you are a block off the beach it is a real neighborhood with grocery stores, antique shops, and a real slice of Brazilian life as opposed to a more sterile or gentrified tourist commercial feel of Ipanema.

[trilingual]

I also recommend a hotel for your first visit, instead of an apartment, unless you're staying for an extended period. There's a certain amount of bureaucracy involved in apartment rentals, and if you're not familiar with Brazil, or the language, or the way business is conducted here, you may find it a hassle. A good hotel will avoid that, plus the staff are available to assist you, give you information, translate, etc.

 

I'd also recommend the Atlântico for its comfort, convenience and value. Ipanema is certainly more upscale than Copacabana, but Copacabana is hardly a slum! Where you stay probably depends most on what you want to do while you're here. If you primarily want to lounge on the beach admiring the "barbies" Ipanema might be a choice. If you plan to go to the saunas and socialize evenings, Copacabana is probably a better choice. Ipanema is only a 5 - 10 minute cab ride from Copacabana, so it's easy to get to if you want to spend the day shopping there, for example. On the other hand, if you want to explore other parts of Rio, Copacabana (and the Atlântico) are good choices because there's easy Metro access (the Siqueira Campos station is right across the street from the Atlântico).

[goingtorio]

I appreciate both of your responses.

 

Not sure what difference it makes but as for the apartment, I have a friend who has an apartment available me to rent a building or two away from arpoador inn. no hassle for that or anything. and so i suppose one of my questions would be since this is rather close to copacabana, is it that awful of a choice to stay there? will it be that much trouble to head to a few saunas now and then? i dont plan on going every single day and, on that basis, friends have told me i may prefer ipanema for a bit less crowded, etc. experience.

[trilingual]

If you can use a friend's apartment hassle-free, then that's not a bad choice. And if you don't plan on trying to break Tomcal's record at the saunas, then staying in Ipanema is also not a bad choice. Taxis run both ways, so the saunas in Copacabana are only a 5 - 10 minute cab ride from the Arpoador Inn. It's no problem at all for the occasional visit!

 

The nice thing about Rio is that there aren't many bad choices! Each neighborhood has its attractions. It just takes knowing yourself and the neighborhoods to figure out which is best for you. But you'll have an opportunity to see for yourself on this visit, and then you can decide what area you like best for your next stay.

 

If you're going to stay in Arpoador, check out the new branch of the Confeitaria Colombo in the Copacabana Fort on a nice day. Good cakes and snacks, I understand, and drop-dead views! Plus adventures have been had by some posters with the attractive military guides to the Fort!

[TotallyOz]

I know your trip to Rio will be great. The boys are amazing and the city is fun and full of life.

 

I stayed at the Le Meridan my first week and they were not good with guests. However, on my last leg of my journey I stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel. Is is in Sao Corado which is even further down than Ipanama. I loved it here. The beaches are great and the service and the view is top notch. They have 3 swimming pools and it is a very relaxing place. I had no problem with visitors during my stay. Each night I came back with one or two guys and the bellhop greeted me by name and said: How are you this evening? We went swimming and the boys were not only welcome but invited to breakfast each morning.

 

The taxi ride from the sauna area was less than 20R or about 7US. I didn't mind this at all for a great experience.

 

No matter what you decide, hotel or apartment, I know you will have a great trip. Be sure to check out the FAQ sections in this forum as it is invaluable on the trip. Enjoy!

[goingtorio]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I think Ipanema is a better fit for me especially given that it would really be Arpoador area which is just in between. I know most of you appear to be singularly focused on Copa/Atlantico but I really want to stay beachfront, etc.

[catnip]

Don't worry, you'll love it there, and cabs are super easy to find if you want to cut across over to Copacabana. I was there last February, and it was great. You'll also feel like you're in a city there since the main street is lined with stores - even a Lojas Americanas! Have a great trip!

[+ Axiom2001]

Also, might I suggest that you read pertinent threads that are in the archives; do it when you have a lot of time, or you can do it in spurts. There are some very timely websites about Rio and Brasil per se that are suggested in these archives.

[Guest alanm]

For me, Rio is the beach and the boys. The beach in Ipanema is tops.

Ipanema also has a different feel to it than other parts of the city.

Yes, it is more upscale, but there are certainly houses and apartments and great places to walk (around the lagoon). If I have a chance to live in Rio, it would be in Ipanema (isn't's that the place of choice for most Brazilians as well).

[+ Axiom2001]

"Is that the place of choice for most Brazilians?" I'd say not, based on the helpful information I received from Carlo Romanus when I discussed with him about my returning to Rio and perhaps working there for two years. He, himself, lives in Barra; others whom I met stated that Copa and Ipanema are far too touristy, thus they lived elsewhere which is quite assessible by auto or taxi or bus.

 

I liked Ipanema, but I also liked Leme and parts of Lapa and Santa Teresa and Gloria and a few other places for their distinct ambiance. But that omnipresent beat that engulfs one in Rio can be found in more places than the two in which we M4Mers are familiar. Each community has its pluses.

[Mavica]

Go for the apartment

 

Ipanema is a great area, and I think you'll be just fine renting an apartment there. Don't worry too much about the language thing, because the agents renting the apartments can communicate in English.

You've seen a lot of lobbying of you to rent a hotel room, and, I believe, that's because some of the people making such recommendations have little experience outside of hotels in the city, and/or because they have a vested interest in recommending hotels. If you think you'll be comfortable in an apartment, go for it! Remember, discount about 50% of what you read here and you'll be about at the level of reliable information. Enjoy the adventure!

[trilingual]

RE: Go for the apartment

 

Except, perhaps, for Carlo Romano, who is a professional travel agent and gets commissions from hotels, none of the other posters here (including myself) has any vested interest in recommending any particular hotel, or hotels over apartments. (And even Carlo doesn't have a vested interest in any particular hotel, because he gets a commission from ANY hotel where he books visitors.)

 

Having stayed in both hotels and apartments, I think there's something to be said for each. Mavica is correct that most apartment rental agencies have someone who can speak English, so that's not a huge impediment. There are various things involved in renting an apartment that are a bit more of a headache than staying at a hotel, though, and on balance I would suggest that a first-time visitor who won't be in Rio for an extended stay (more than two weeks or so) should probably stay at a hotel.

 

Remember that to rent an apartment you have to sign a contract in Portuguese and usually pay a substantial security deposit. You are almost always asked to pay the full rental up front, rather than at the end of the rental period (as in a hotel). If you have to leave suddenly, there's no assurance that you'll get your remaining money back. You almost always have to deal in cash, not credit cards. There may not be a telephone, or cable TV, or other levels of creature comfort you're accustomed to in hotels. (Although some vacation rental apartments are very comfortable, indeed, with all the mod cons!) None of these are insurmountable problems, but it can be a bit daunting for a first-time visitor, especially if you have to deal with all of it at the end of a very long flight from home, and may not be worth it for a short stay.

 

So weigh those considerations in making your decision. If you do decide to rent, there are some resources listed here in the Escorts South section. You can avoid some of the hassles mentioned above by renting Odilo's apartment (info elsewhere on the board; use the Search function to find) because he lives in the U.S. so it's easier to make arrangements prior to traveling, but the apartment's in Copacabana, not Ipanema, so it may not be located where you want to be.

 

If you fall for Rio and Brazil, as so many of us have, you can check out apartment rental possibilities while you're there so you can make plans for your next, longer stay!

[Guest alanm]

The survey may be several years old now, but that question was asked of Bazilians. Ipanema finished first as the most desirable place to live. I understand that fashion changes; Brazilian may give a different answer today.