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Travel Blog: Where to stay in CopacabanaPublished on Jan 31, 2008 by LucyHB |
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1. Chapter: Hotel Ouro Verde |
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Rio in general, and Copacabana in particular, suffers from two many towering chain hotels that can be overpriced and impersonal. Not so here, at Ouro Verde, at the Leme end of the beach. The hotel is stuffed with antiques and has a quirky art deco design, and although some chairs and tables are a little tatty, it's got loads of personality. Considering that it's in a good location right on the beachfront, it's cheap too - about R$230 per night for a double.
Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: artdeco personality antiquefurniture |
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2. Chapter: Copacabana Palace |
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Ah, Copacabana Palace. One of the most famous hotels in the world, and rightly so. Although the area around it has fallen foul of overdevelopment and become a bit seedy, this hotel is still breathtaking. It's absolutely enormous, glittering white, and has a huge outdoor pool. The walls are lined with black and white photos of the great and good who have stayed here, and you'll feel like royalty yourself as you wander the pristine white corridors. Rooms at the front are more expensive but face the beach, some of those at the back look out onto Copacabana backstreets, which shatters the illusion somewhat.
Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: landmarkhotel pool |
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3. Chapter: Sofitel Rio Palace |
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It might not have the glamorous associations of Copacabana Palace, but this fancy five-star joint is better located- right at the end of the beach, just a few minutes from Ipanema. All the rooms have good views - of the beach or of the pool - and the entire hotel was refurbished just a year ago so it's all looking pretty spick and span. It's a vast place, with a great (but expensive) French restaurant, a good bar serving tapas and Belgian beers, and even a 'cultural space' showing art exhibitions. The Presidential suite is enormous, and even has a piano and telescope! Apparently Brazilian president Lula likes to stay here, on account of the helicopter landing pad just across the road at Copacabana Fort.
Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: lula suites refurbished smart luxury |
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4. Chapter: Wave Hostel Copacabana Budget |
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This isn't Copa's biggest hostel, but it's still a lot bigger than the original Wave Hostel in Ipanema, which only has about 20 beds (There are more than 50 here). It's a chilled out hostel with friendly, helpful staff, and it's easy to get to from the new metro station at Cantagalo.
Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: metrostation backpackers hostel |
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5. Chapter: Stone of a Beach - hostel |
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You can't miss this place - although you might want to shield your eyes as the facade is loud and tacky in the extreme - with bright yellow paint and some pretty ugly stone cladding. It's really popular though, especially with people looking for a 'party hostel'. If you're looking for a party, you'll find one here - but this isn't the best place if you're looking for somewhere to take it easy for a few days. There's a good bar that's now open to the public as well - so you can get to mingle with locals as well as other packpackers.
Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: partyhostel locals bar |
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6. Chapter: Atlantico Copacabana |
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Is this the most overpriced hotel in Rio? It's not on the beachfront, it's in Copacabana not Ipanema, it's on a busy street, and yet the walk-up price is R$800 for a double room. The decor's past its best, the rooms look dated and a little tired...really this feels like a three-star but it has a five-star price tag. Crazy. The location, opposite Sigueira Campus metro station, is handy for people who want to use the tube a lot...but that's about it. For half the price you could be in Ouro Verde, right on the beachfront.
Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: overpriced tireddecor noisy |
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7. Chapter: Rio Internacional |
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The bold red and black facade of this Swiss-owned hotel may not be to everybody's taste, but the rooftop pool and excellent service make this one of the better hotels along Copacabana's beachfront. There are great views from the gym as well as the pool, so you can look down at all those bronzed beach bodies if you need motivation to keep moving! Service here is great too (free glass of champagne on arrival!) and all the rooms have beach views. It's not the cheapest option in Copa, but prices are reasonable given the location.
Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: beachviews avenidaatlantica champagne gym pool |
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8. Chapter: Rio Othon Palace |
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Rio Othon Palace is a towering giant among Copacabana beachfront hotels, and its rooftop pool has one of the best beach views in the city. Interestingly, all though the pool is guest-only, non-guests have been known to casually drift into the hotel and use the pool and bar (they have to pay for drinks, obviously) as though they were staying there. Of course, I wouldn't advise this kind of sneakiness ;-) I'm just pointing out that it has been done! Anyway, pool and views aside, this is a reasonable chain hotel but the location close to the (in)famous Help discoteque is a little edgy after dark. Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: pool greatviews edgylocation |
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9. Chapter: 'Wavey' hostel |
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Wave Hostel, or 'Wavey' hostel as it's pronouced by Portuguese speakers, is one of Copa's better hostelling options. (As long as you're not looking for a quiet life...). The location, close to Cantagalo metro station and a couple of blocks from the beach, is good, and there's a lively atmosphere. it's a very popular spot with Israeli travellers. but attracts quite a few Brazilians too. The shared toilets could be cleaner, to be honest, but prices are reasonable - Wave also owns a smaller, more expensive hostel in Ipanema.
Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: goodlocation lively backpackers |
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10. Chapter: Hotel Debret |
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Like Ouro Verde, Hotel Debret is another beachfront option that has resisted the temptation to hike its prices up to ludicrous levels. It's kitted out in dark wood with some interesing antique statues and other furnishings, and the service here is very friendly and professional. When I visited, the staff spoke very little English but still went out of their way to be helpful. The breakfast here is good, too, and you'll get a view of the beach as you munch away on bread, fruits, juices, cheese etc Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: goodservice goodbreakfast beachview |
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11. Chapter: Plaza Copacabana |
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If you want to be near the beach but also within easy reach of good shopping and transport, you could do worse than Plaza Copacabana, which is officially in Copa but very close to Rio Sul shopping centre in Botafogo. The shopping centre also has cinemas and a good food hall, and the hotel's close to the Metro station too, so you can get to Centro and other parts of Copa very easily. There's a gym and a pool at the hotel, with good views of the beach. I personally think the walk-in price of over R$300 for a double room is a little steep, but you might be able to strike a deal off-season. The hotel's at Avenida Princesa Isabela 263.
Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: metro beach shopping transport pool gym |
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