The 57-room Hotel Emiliano is a luxurious hotel in the upscale Jardins area. Despite being a boutique, the hotel has numerous features -- a spa, a 24-hour fitness center, a restaurant and two bars, a staffed business center, and even a rooftop helipad for guests arriving in style (though no pool). The mod rooms are sexy and sleek: Picture wood-paneled walls, clean lines, Charles Eames furniture, and high-tech marble bathrooms (the toilet has buttons.) However, some may find the minimalist style in the lobby and restaurant a tad stark. Nonetheless, this is a fabulous hotel with with excellent freebies (including a 15-minute massage), and the location is a short drive from downtown Sao Paulo.
The 57-room Hotel Emiliano is a luxurious hotel in the upscale Jardins area. Despite being a boutique, the hotel has numerous features -- a spa, a 24-hour fitness center, a restaurant and two bars, a staffed business center, and even a rooftop helipad for guests arriving in style (though no pool). The mod rooms are sexy and sleek: Picture wood-paneled walls, clean lines, Charles Eames furniture, and high-tech marble bathrooms (the toilet has buttons.) However, some may find the minimalist style in the lobby and restaurant a tad stark. Nonetheless, this is a fabulous hotel with with excellent freebies (including a 15-minute massage), and the location is a short drive from downtown Sao Paulo.
Located on a long, sandy beach near Ponta Negra, the 188-room Wish Natal is an upscale resort with a mellow vibe. Most rooms were fully renovated in early 2018 and feature contemporary decor, solid amenities -- including free Wi-Fi, lightly stocked minibars, and flat-screen TVs -- and balconies, most of which offer wonderful sea views. The restaurant serves a free buffet breakfast and a la carte Brazilian cuisine for lunch and dinner, while snacks and drinks are available at both the poolside bar and the lobby lounge. Half- and full-board packages are also available. The pool area is pleasant and relaxing, and features a whirlpool, kiddy sections, and panoramic sea views. For a cheaper alternative, consider Visual Praia Natal, though rooms are a tad dated.
Located on a long, sandy beach near Ponta Negra, the 188-room Wish Natal is an upscale resort with a mellow vibe. Most rooms were fully renovated in early 2018 and feature contemporary decor, solid amenities -- including free Wi-Fi, lightly stocked minibars, and flat-screen TVs -- and balconies, most of which offer wonderful sea views. The restaurant serves a free buffet breakfast and a la carte Brazilian cuisine for lunch and dinner, while snacks and drinks are available at both the poolside bar and the lobby lounge. Half- and full-board packages are also available. The pool area is pleasant and relaxing, and features a whirlpool, kiddy sections, and panoramic sea views. For a cheaper alternative, consider Visual Praia Natal, though rooms are a tad dated.
Four-pearl Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro is an ideal spot for business travelers or those who don't mind long commutes to Zona Sul's hotspots. The property sits between two malls, and the bus station opposite provides good transport links. Features include a rooftop pool and bar overlooking the Jacarepagua Lagoon, plus a well-equipped gym, buffet restaurant, lobby bar and seating areas both inside and out. The 298 rooms and suites have a classy style and upscale amenities including Nespresso machines and 42-inch TVs, plus L'Occitane bath products. Unfortunately, the 45-minute commute to the Centro or Zona Sul is off-putting. The hotel's location keeps rates low for the category, but travelers willing to compromise on sleek finishes might consider Golden Tulip Rio Copacabana, which offers a more central base without sacrificing features.
Four-pearl Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro is an ideal spot for business travelers or those who don't mind long commutes to Zona Sul's hotspots. The property sits between two malls, and the bus station opposite provides good transport links. Features include a rooftop pool and bar overlooking the Jacarepagua Lagoon, plus a well-equipped gym, buffet restaurant, lobby bar and seating areas both inside and out. The 298 rooms and suites have a classy style and upscale amenities including Nespresso machines and 42-inch TVs, plus L'Occitane bath products. Unfortunately, the 45-minute commute to the Centro or Zona Sul is off-putting. The hotel's location keeps rates low for the category, but travelers willing to compromise on sleek finishes might consider Golden Tulip Rio Copacabana, which offers a more central base without sacrificing features.
The 200-room Promenade Angra dos Reis is a three-pearl resort situated on the coast outside the city of Angra dos Reis. The drive into the center of town takes about 20 minutes, but most guests are here to enjoy the water and surrounding landscapes. The resort sits on a sprawling property, with the huge pool complex as its dominant feature. Rooms are basic, and come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and safes. Families are drawn here because of the many attractions for kids, including a kids' club, playground, and indoor and outdoor activities. Unfortunately, dining and drinks are pricey and underwhelming, and rooms are tired. Travelers looking for lower rates in the area could check out the similar Golden Tulip Angra dos Reis, which add-s a small spa.
The 200-room Promenade Angra dos Reis is a three-pearl resort situated on the coast outside the city of Angra dos Reis. The drive into the center of town takes about 20 minutes, but most guests are here to enjoy the water and surrounding landscapes. The resort sits on a sprawling property, with the huge pool complex as its dominant feature. Rooms are basic, and come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and safes. Families are drawn here because of the many attractions for kids, including a kids' club, playground, and indoor and outdoor activities. Unfortunately, dining and drinks are pricey and underwhelming, and rooms are tired. Travelers looking for lower rates in the area could check out the similar Golden Tulip Angra dos Reis, which add-s a small spa.
The 79-room upper-mid-range Hotel Casa da Montanha is a family-friendly hotel with plenty of antique charm in downtown Gramado. Natural wood accents and country-lodge decor give this property a warmth, and homey rooms include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning. Special themed suites, like the Christmas Suite, are a highlight. The hotel has a kid's play area and indoor pool as well as a sauna, whirlpool, and fitness center. The hotel serves a free daily buffet breakfast with plenty of choices, and has an on-site restaurant and bar. On the whole, this is a solid choice for those wishing to experience all the area has to offer within minutes of area attractions.
The 79-room upper-mid-range Hotel Casa da Montanha is a family-friendly hotel with plenty of antique charm in downtown Gramado. Natural wood accents and country-lodge decor give this property a warmth, and homey rooms include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning. Special themed suites, like the Christmas Suite, are a highlight. The hotel has a kid's play area and indoor pool as well as a sauna, whirlpool, and fitness center. The hotel serves a free daily buffet breakfast with plenty of choices, and has an on-site restaurant and bar. On the whole, this is a solid choice for those wishing to experience all the area has to offer within minutes of area attractions.
The enormous and upscale Renaissance Sao Paulo has a lot going on: it’s a popular wedding venue, a massive convention and special-events center, and a high-rise hotel with three restaurants, outdoor pool, modern spa, huge fitness center, and even a 200-seat theater. All this, and the hotel offers fast access to Paulista Avenue. With so much going on, you’d think the rooms themselves may be an afterthought, but that’s certainly not the case. The hotel’s 444 rooms and suites are yet another highlight, each with spacious marble bathrooms, flat-screen LCD TVs, and city views. This business-traveler focused mega-hotel is much like the city of Sao Paulo itself: bustling, chic, and worldly. The major downsides are a small pool and some street noise from the road. For a smaller and cheaper alternative near Paulista Avenue, check rates at the Landmark Residence Hotel.
The enormous and upscale Renaissance Sao Paulo has a lot going on: it’s a popular wedding venue, a massive convention and special-events center, and a high-rise hotel with three restaurants, outdoor pool, modern spa, huge fitness center, and even a 200-seat theater. All this, and the hotel offers fast access to Paulista Avenue. With so much going on, you’d think the rooms themselves may be an afterthought, but that’s certainly not the case. The hotel’s 444 rooms and suites are yet another highlight, each with spacious marble bathrooms, flat-screen LCD TVs, and city views. This business-traveler focused mega-hotel is much like the city of Sao Paulo itself: bustling, chic, and worldly. The major downsides are a small pool and some street noise from the road. For a smaller and cheaper alternative near Paulista Avenue, check rates at the Landmark Residence Hotel.
The Atlantico Copacabana is currently a lower-middle-range hotel undergoing a major renovation to upgrade both the rooms and the public areas by 2016. The hotel will remain open while construction is underway, so be prepared for noise. Currently, the hotel is dated with old-fashioned decor and furniture, and has noticeable wear and tear. The Atlantico has a first floor restaurant that serves breakfast -- included in the room rate -- and a la carte lunch and dinner. The rooftop offers a swimming pool, tiny fitness center, and a steam room. Copacabana Beach is about three blocks from the hotel and there's a metro station across the street.
The Atlantico Copacabana is currently a lower-middle-range hotel undergoing a major renovation to upgrade both the rooms and the public areas by 2016. The hotel will remain open while construction is underway, so be prepared for noise. Currently, the hotel is dated with old-fashioned decor and furniture, and has noticeable wear and tear. The Atlantico has a first floor restaurant that serves breakfast -- included in the room rate -- and a la carte lunch and dinner. The rooftop offers a swimming pool, tiny fitness center, and a steam room. Copacabana Beach is about three blocks from the hotel and there's a metro station across the street.
This sleek, three-and-a-half-pearl hotel offers some high-end elements -- especially since it rebranded as a Radisson Blu in 2016 and added extras like butler service, shoe shines, and bikes. The 199 guest rooms and suites are updated with new furnishings and LCD TVs, but in a chain-hotel style that’s a bit bland. A cozy bar and restaurant and sunny rooftop pool area are highlights of this property, which is popular with business travelers. While the Itaim Bibi neighborhood has good restaurants and nightlife to offer, some travelers might prefer to be closer to the city’s main hub along Paulista Avenue. For a stay in that area, check out the Melia Paulista or Tryp Paulista, which both come in at a similar price point.
This sleek, three-and-a-half-pearl hotel offers some high-end elements -- especially since it rebranded as a Radisson Blu in 2016 and added extras like butler service, shoe shines, and bikes. The 199 guest rooms and suites are updated with new furnishings and LCD TVs, but in a chain-hotel style that’s a bit bland. A cozy bar and restaurant and sunny rooftop pool area are highlights of this property, which is popular with business travelers. While the Itaim Bibi neighborhood has good restaurants and nightlife to offer, some travelers might prefer to be closer to the city’s main hub along Paulista Avenue. For a stay in that area, check out the Melia Paulista or Tryp Paulista, which both come in at a similar price point.
The Promenade Barra First is an upper-middle-range hotel in Barra da Tijuca. The 14-floor hotel is located along Avenida das Americas -- a busy highway that runs through a safe residential neighborhood. The hotel has a conference center, so it serves many local and foreign business clients, but weekends are popular with families and couples. 218 Deluxe Suites have wooden floors and unfurnished balconies, but small bathrooms show some wear. A hot buffet breakfast is included in the room rate and spotty Wi-Fi is free in all areas. Guests have access to a resort-style swimming pool and huge fitness center next door.
The Promenade Barra First is an upper-middle-range hotel in Barra da Tijuca. The 14-floor hotel is located along Avenida das Americas -- a busy highway that runs through a safe residential neighborhood. The hotel has a conference center, so it serves many local and foreign business clients, but weekends are popular with families and couples. 218 Deluxe Suites have wooden floors and unfurnished balconies, but small bathrooms show some wear. A hot buffet breakfast is included in the room rate and spotty Wi-Fi is free in all areas. Guests have access to a resort-style swimming pool and huge fitness center next door.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Arena Ipanema Hotel is a real gem. It's located right between Ipanema and Copacabana, on a safe street that's within a five-minute walk of two gorgeous beaches. Interiors here are modern and fresh -- far more so than other nearby competitors -- and the rooftop pool and terrace are a highlight, with views out to the ocean. Most of the 136 rooms lack those same views, but all have a sharp style plus free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and individually controlled air-conditioning. There's a cafe on the ground floor and the generous breakfast buffet -- complete with strong coffee -- is included in standard rates. Meeting rooms and a small fitness center are also available. For something even closer to the sand, opt for the Arpoador Inn, though it's less stylish.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Arena Ipanema Hotel is a real gem. It's located right between Ipanema and Copacabana, on a safe street that's within a five-minute walk of two gorgeous beaches. Interiors here are modern and fresh -- far more so than other nearby competitors -- and the rooftop pool and terrace are a highlight, with views out to the ocean. Most of the 136 rooms lack those same views, but all have a sharp style plus free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and individually controlled air-conditioning. There's a cafe on the ground floor and the generous breakfast buffet -- complete with strong coffee -- is included in standard rates. Meeting rooms and a small fitness center are also available. For something even closer to the sand, opt for the Arpoador Inn, though it's less stylish.