Across the street from Barra de Tijuca Beach, the Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Barra is a four-pearl hotel in a quiet residential area, far from the bustle of Rio de Janiero. Its 292 rooms are contemporary -- if generic -- and each has a balcony, living room, minibar, and microwave. Facilities include a spa, pool, two hot tubs, a restaurant, and fitness center, plus massive meeting spaces and a business center. For something that’s a bit more elegant and closer to the center of Rio de Janeiro, consider Caesar Park Rio de Janeiro Ipanema Managed by Sofitel instead.
Across the street from Barra de Tijuca Beach, the Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Barra is a four-pearl hotel in a quiet residential area, far from the bustle of Rio de Janiero. Its 292 rooms are contemporary -- if generic -- and each has a balcony, living room, minibar, and microwave. Facilities include a spa, pool, two hot tubs, a restaurant, and fitness center, plus massive meeting spaces and a business center. For something that’s a bit more elegant and closer to the center of Rio de Janeiro, consider Caesar Park Rio de Janeiro Ipanema Managed by Sofitel instead.
For couples who want an upscale and romantic beach vacation, it doesn't get much better than Serena Buzios Resort. Free chairs and umbrellas are set up at Geribá Beach, about a two-minute walk or free shuttle ride from the hotel. Meals and drinks are served at an elegant restaurant that overlooks the outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by lush garden landscaping. Many of the spacious rooms and suites have private balconies and whirlpools. Expect to pay extra for breakfast, but a foot massage and surf lesson are included with the price of a room.
For couples who want an upscale and romantic beach vacation, it doesn't get much better than Serena Buzios Resort. Free chairs and umbrellas are set up at Geribá Beach, about a two-minute walk or free shuttle ride from the hotel. Meals and drinks are served at an elegant restaurant that overlooks the outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by lush garden landscaping. Many of the spacious rooms and suites have private balconies and whirlpools. Expect to pay extra for breakfast, but a foot massage and surf lesson are included with the price of a room.
The 284-room Sheraton da Bahia - Hotel Salvador is a four-pearl option located in central Salvador, a 10- to 15-minute drive from the Pelourinho historic district. Rooms and suites are modern and bright, if simple, and feature flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning. Some have spacious furnished balconies with nice city views. An attractive restaurant serves all meals, with food getting mostly solid marks from previous guests, though the Club Lounge's stingy offerings disappoint. A lobby bar serves drinks and light fare. The outdoor pool is a nice place for relaxing, and there's a bar there as well. Other pluses include a full-service spa, fitness center, business center, and events spaces. Travelers who'd prefer to be on one of the region's beaches instead could check out the Grande Hotel Da Barra.
The 284-room Sheraton da Bahia - Hotel Salvador is a four-pearl option located in central Salvador, a 10- to 15-minute drive from the Pelourinho historic district. Rooms and suites are modern and bright, if simple, and feature flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning. Some have spacious furnished balconies with nice city views. An attractive restaurant serves all meals, with food getting mostly solid marks from previous guests, though the Club Lounge's stingy offerings disappoint. A lobby bar serves drinks and light fare. The outdoor pool is a nice place for relaxing, and there's a bar there as well. Other pluses include a full-service spa, fitness center, business center, and events spaces. Travelers who'd prefer to be on one of the region's beaches instead could check out the Grande Hotel Da Barra.
Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana is a four-pearl hotel just across the road from quiet Leme Beach at the northern end of Copacabana. The Cardeal Arcoverde Metro station is less than 15 minutes from the hotel on foot, and the property offers a spa, hot tubs, fitness room, and two pools including one on the roof with great ocean views. The hotel also serves a busy free breakfast buffet with an excellent range of options. The 545 modern rooms are plush and inviting, and many have views of the ocean. Guests looking for a true luxury option in the area should consider the Belmond Copacabana Palace, though rates will be much higher.
Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana is a four-pearl hotel just across the road from quiet Leme Beach at the northern end of Copacabana. The Cardeal Arcoverde Metro station is less than 15 minutes from the hotel on foot, and the property offers a spa, hot tubs, fitness room, and two pools including one on the roof with great ocean views. The hotel also serves a busy free breakfast buffet with an excellent range of options. The 545 modern rooms are plush and inviting, and many have views of the ocean. Guests looking for a true luxury option in the area should consider the Belmond Copacabana Palace, though rates will be much higher.
The 67-room Pestana Convento do Carmo is an upscale option located in the heart of downtown Salvador. It sits at the edge of the Pelourinho historic district, and there are many restaurants, shops, and bars in the area. The hotel is housed in a former 16th-century convent, so it is filled with historic charm, including in the spacious rooms and suites, which offer modern conveniences such as flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, and espresso machines. The restaurant and bar have indoor and outdoor seating, though food gets mixed reviews. An outdoor pool is a relaxing place to cool off, and there's also a small spa and fitness center. A similarly priced alternative in this area is the Hotel Casa do Amarelindo, which offers views of the bay from its rooftop pool.
The 67-room Pestana Convento do Carmo is an upscale option located in the heart of downtown Salvador. It sits at the edge of the Pelourinho historic district, and there are many restaurants, shops, and bars in the area. The hotel is housed in a former 16th-century convent, so it is filled with historic charm, including in the spacious rooms and suites, which offer modern conveniences such as flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, and espresso machines. The restaurant and bar have indoor and outdoor seating, though food gets mixed reviews. An outdoor pool is a relaxing place to cool off, and there's also a small spa and fitness center. A similarly priced alternative in this area is the Hotel Casa do Amarelindo, which offers views of the bay from its rooftop pool.
The two-and-a-half-pearl Arpoador Inn offers an outstanding location overlooking the eastern tip of Ipanema Beach (known as Arpoador Beach in the area), surrounded by shopping and dining, and within a short walk of Copacabana Beach and the area's nightlife. The hotel's vibe is straightforward and quaint, with a few artful touches. There are 50 simple and bright rooms with flat-screen TVs, a free breakfast, and a seafood restaurant on site. The sandy beach is right behind the hotel and is an excellent spot to watch the sunset or surf. While it has fewer facilities than the nearby Orla or Miramar, the Arpoador Inn offers good value for money.
The two-and-a-half-pearl Arpoador Inn offers an outstanding location overlooking the eastern tip of Ipanema Beach (known as Arpoador Beach in the area), surrounded by shopping and dining, and within a short walk of Copacabana Beach and the area's nightlife. The hotel's vibe is straightforward and quaint, with a few artful touches. There are 50 simple and bright rooms with flat-screen TVs, a free breakfast, and a seafood restaurant on site. The sandy beach is right behind the hotel and is an excellent spot to watch the sunset or surf. While it has fewer facilities than the nearby Orla or Miramar, the Arpoador Inn offers good value for money.
The 177-room Promenade Paradiso is a three-pearl option in the mostly residential neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca. It's a safe area, close to shopping and offices, and a five-minute cab ride (or 20-minute walk) to the beach. However, it can take 35 to 50 minutes to reach Copacabana and Ipanema by car. Rooms are spacious and fresh, and all have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and furnished balconies. A breakfast buffet is free, and the restaurant serves lunch and dinner as well. The outdoor pool is large, and there's also a whirlpool. Other pluses include a modern fitness center and events spaces plus a business center. Travelers who would prefer to be on the beach and don't mind paying higher rates could check out the Windsor Barra instead.
The 177-room Promenade Paradiso is a three-pearl option in the mostly residential neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca. It's a safe area, close to shopping and offices, and a five-minute cab ride (or 20-minute walk) to the beach. However, it can take 35 to 50 minutes to reach Copacabana and Ipanema by car. Rooms are spacious and fresh, and all have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and furnished balconies. A breakfast buffet is free, and the restaurant serves lunch and dinner as well. The outdoor pool is large, and there's also a whirlpool. Other pluses include a modern fitness center and events spaces plus a business center. Travelers who would prefer to be on the beach and don't mind paying higher rates could check out the Windsor Barra instead.
The 46-room Hotel 1900 is a two-and-a-half-pearl boutique option situated on a quiet, tree-lined street in the mostly residential Catete neighborhood. The location is convenient for getting around the city, as the Largo do Machado Metro station a five-minute walk from the hotel. Restaurants, bars, and shops are nearby, and the beach takes 10 minutes to reach on foot. Rooms are small, but modern, and come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The free breakfast buffet includes both hot and cold selections, but there is no other meal service on-site. The terrace is a popular spot for hanging out in nice weather, but features are otherwise slim and there's no pool. Another affordable option in this neighborhood is the Hotel Regina, which adds a fitness center and spa.
The 46-room Hotel 1900 is a two-and-a-half-pearl boutique option situated on a quiet, tree-lined street in the mostly residential Catete neighborhood. The location is convenient for getting around the city, as the Largo do Machado Metro station a five-minute walk from the hotel. Restaurants, bars, and shops are nearby, and the beach takes 10 minutes to reach on foot. Rooms are small, but modern, and come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The free breakfast buffet includes both hot and cold selections, but there is no other meal service on-site. The terrace is a popular spot for hanging out in nice weather, but features are otherwise slim and there's no pool. Another affordable option in this neighborhood is the Hotel Regina, which adds a fitness center and spa.
The 292-room Vila Gale Rio de Janeiro is an upscale option in the hip, bohemian Lapa district of Rio. There are many bars, restaurants, and shops in the area, but the beach is about 30 minutes away. Rooms and suites are housed in a restored 19th-century palace and a newer annex. Suites in the palace are desirable for their historic charm and elegance, but all are attractive and come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning. Wi-Fi is free. There are two restaurants, plus a bar in the lobby. The lovely outdoor pool also has its own bar, though no views. Travelers looking for a less expensive place in the neighborhood could check out the Hotel Granada, although it doesn't have the same charm found here.
The 292-room Vila Gale Rio de Janeiro is an upscale option in the hip, bohemian Lapa district of Rio. There are many bars, restaurants, and shops in the area, but the beach is about 30 minutes away. Rooms and suites are housed in a restored 19th-century palace and a newer annex. Suites in the palace are desirable for their historic charm and elegance, but all are attractive and come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning. Wi-Fi is free. There are two restaurants, plus a bar in the lobby. The lovely outdoor pool also has its own bar, though no views. Travelers looking for a less expensive place in the neighborhood could check out the Hotel Granada, although it doesn't have the same charm found here.
The 60-room Hotel Fasano is a luxury boutique in the upscale Jardins neighborhood. It offers impressive features, including a solid fitness center and an intimate, Zen-like spa. In addition, there are several popular restaurants and bars: The Italian fine dining restaurant is highly acclaimed, Baretto bar offers excellent live music, the lobby bar has art deco style, and the casual restaurant serves three meals a day. Rooms have cool, retro-modern decor -- including funky leather furniture and striped rugs -- as well as flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and iPod docks. Business travelers may also want to consider the nearby (and very similar) Hotel Emiliano, though it lacks Hotel Fasano's chic indoor pool.
The 60-room Hotel Fasano is a luxury boutique in the upscale Jardins neighborhood. It offers impressive features, including a solid fitness center and an intimate, Zen-like spa. In addition, there are several popular restaurants and bars: The Italian fine dining restaurant is highly acclaimed, Baretto bar offers excellent live music, the lobby bar has art deco style, and the casual restaurant serves three meals a day. Rooms have cool, retro-modern decor -- including funky leather furniture and striped rugs -- as well as flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and iPod docks. Business travelers may also want to consider the nearby (and very similar) Hotel Emiliano, though it lacks Hotel Fasano's chic indoor pool.