Awesome stay in this building that is a mix of residential + Airbnb. I shared 1 bedroom apartment…read morewith 3 more friends and there was space for everyone. The views to the Barra Beach and the lagoon behind are stunning. The not so cool is the noise coming from the road. It is constant day and night but the sound of the waves and the views compensate. The building, like all in Barra de Tijuca, have a security guard as safety in Rio can be an issue, especially for tourists. This building is conveniently located in the main street facing the sea but your will need Ubers to move around and indicate them the exact name of the building otherwise you can be dropped in a nearby one but requires walking and at night is not safe.

Didn't want to take one of those bus tours that treat you like cattle when visiting Rio de Janeiro…read more Expensive and you spend alot of your time sitting on the bus picking up and dropping off other tour guests at all the different hotels. Instead we booked toursbylocals.com - and found the best English speaking tour guide Michael Serruya. You can book before you leave and it is a reputable agency. Michael gave us a personalized tour of Rio for 8 hour which included all the major attractions and more, and booked a 4 hour tour for the following day to see the beaches, favelas, Santa Teresa, and downtown at a very resonable rate. I highly recommend Michael for a personal, friendly, insightlful introduction to Rio. He was prompt, reliable, dependable, knowledgable, friendly and an all round great guide!

Fully agree with Cynthia H. Toursbylocals.com is the best way to go. Our guide Michael Serruya…read morespoke English and was very prompt, courteous, professional, knowledgable and very personable. From the moment we touched down in Rio, he was right there . He met us at the airport ready to show us his town. We covered all the main attractions, Corcovado,Sugarloaf, all the beaches Leblon, ipanema and Copacabana , downtown and even ventured into some Favellas. Cannot say enough about the personal touch having a local person one on one to tour a totally unknown territory. No worries about safety or language dilemma . He booked shows and gave us very valuable tips to help navigate our way through an amazing City/place. Our vacation in Rio , was made that much more magical and memorable with the assistance of Mr. Michael Serruya and toursbylocal.com. Would definitely recommend them and our guide Michael Serruya!

Bromelia Rio Travel and Tour are the best way to introduce yourself to Rio and fall in love with…read moreit. I was amazed by how each experience I had with Lauren and Val led me to want to do another tour with them. Each one I did was unique and amazing. First I decided to stay at Casa Bromelia. This B&B is ran by Lauren and Val. I found this option on their tour site. I stayed 3 nights and am positive I will return for more. Casa Bromelia is a block from Ipanema beach. You cannot beat this location. It has so much historical charm on the outside and the interior decor Lauren selected is beautiful! It has 3 bedrooms that could potential be booked. The beds are super comfortable and the sound proof windows make you forget the outdoor world is even there. Trust me this is bliss after long adventures all day in Rio. You share a bathroom with the other guests, but I often felt like it was my own. Never had issues waiting for it. Besides the amazing comfort of the rooms having Lauren and Val there to give advice on your stay made the trip. They could point you in the right direction for whatever you are in the mood for that day. You could join in on one of their tours, they will give you advice on restaurant to try, and the best beach stand to visit. Lauren and Val are so genuine and you can tell love Rio. They want you to love it too. I highly recommend staying at Casa Bromelia for your accommodation for your stay. Second, I did the Rainforest Hiking Tour to Dois Irmãos. The view for this is the best I have seen. Better then Christ or Sugar Loaf in my opinion. You can see a 360 view of Rio. I joined in last minute for this tour. I heard about it from a guest who was staying in a different room the afternoon before. Staying at Casa Bromelia made it easy for this last minute addition. A couple staying at a different location joined our group too. We met at Casa Bromelia and headed to the mountain. Val guided this tour and you can tell he has a love for the environment. He was picking up any little piece of trash as we hiked. I appreciate this gesture. In this tour we started at the bottom of the Vidigal Favela. We each took a separate motor bike taxi to get to the start of the hike at the top of the Favela. This was very safe and a great way to see the favela briefly. The hike was great for beginners. I am 35 years old and in average shape. There are some steep parts, but nothing you can't do. Val guided us at our pace and made sure we all were doing okay. The group talked the entire way up. Trust me the view is worth it!!! We walked down through the favela on the way back. It felt safe and interesting to see close up. Third, I did the Back Street Samba Party Excursion. I scheduled this in advance when I booked the place. Lauren guided this tour and you can tell she truly enjoys Samba and the spirit it brings to the Rio culture. I did it with one other guest (31 years old) staying at Casa Bromelia and an older couple (70 years old) staying at a different location. The ages didn't matter. We all had such a fantastic time together. There is no way you can't in this particular tour. First, we all met at Casa Bromelia at 6pm and learned how to make a Caprinhina! We also had one too! Then we headed to the central part of Rio to a back street Samba gathering. The location was amazing to see. Something I would never have found on my own in Rio. We listened to music, drank a few more Caprinhinas, ate espichinos (meat on a stick) and danced the night away!! Lauren's enthusiasm for this amazing tour really made us all fall in love with Rio and Samba. If I had more time I would have loved to do the cooking class tour, which Lauren doesn't run, but sets up for you or the City Walking Tour that Lauren does. Oh .... or the Photography Tour. The photos taken look amazing and how often do you have a beautiful background like Rio to do a personal photo shoot in. Lauren sets this up for you as well. I have officially fallen in love with Rio AND Bromelia Rio Travel and Tour! I will be back!!

Best Local Experience! I would not have found any of the information I received nor experienced any…read moreof the authentic moments I had without the help of Bromelia Rio Travel. And best of all, you made me feel prepared for my trip even before I arrived! Always available to answer my questions, offer suggestions and get me excited for my Rio holiday. Highly Recommended.

Outstanding all around. The location is perfect. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have beach…read moreservice. The rooftop pool has the best selfie spot ever. IG worthy. The restaurant was delicious for both breakfast and dinner. I highly recommend skipping the giant chain hotels and stay here instead for a five star experience.

Average if not below average hotel. The rooms are super basic and honestly still feel a bit dirty…read moreeven after being cleaned. The hotel does not provide wash rags so be advised to bring your own. The bathrooms are nice with a spacious shower which is good. Mini fridge is stocked with beverages for purchase. The AC is the best part of the hotel because it does get super cold. I will advise that you DO NOT order room service!!! We ordered it on our last night here because of rain and staying in before our flight. It was the worst room service i've ever experienced. The sandwiches were toasted but also soggy? The turkey club was quite frankly pathetic and the fries were soggy. The churros were also raw in the middle. I would advise you to pick a different hotel if possible.

Another sensational visit at Fasano in December 2023, following a visit in August 2023…read more I cannot speak highly enough about this hotel and staff. Arriving early in the week I was upgraded to a 4th floor oceanfront room at no extra charge (YMMV as it depends upon occupancy/availability). Prior to my visit I had inquired about a Business Center with access to a desktop computer, as they have at Fasano São Paulo. This hotel does not have a Business Center but they provided me with use of a Dell laptop for my entire stay which was already set up and ready for me to use as soon as I walked into my room. Unlike a few others that have posted on Yelp, I have found the front desk staff to be exceptionally friendly and helpful. They offered numerous dining and other useful tips during my stay. I am no rock star but everyone at the hotel treated me as though I was one !! I was extremely pleased to see Fasano still stocks Costa Brazil soap and shampoo toiletries--love this brand, which unfortunately is no longer sold in the United States. Breakfast was fabulous as always. Best tasting pancakes I have ever had along with exotic fruits, fresh juices, smoked salmon, eggs, Italian meats, fantastic baked goods, and Prosecco. I took advantage of the Spa services on this visit and got a wonderful facial. Fantastic supplies used during the treatment and cost nearly 1/2 of what it would in the US. The rooftop pool deck and restaurant/bar speaks for itself. Fantastic views and photo ops of Ipanema and Leblon beaches, a great infinity pool, comfortable lounge chairs and attentive staff. Couple of suggestions/comments--please reopen Londres Bar. It would be great to have live music at the hotel as they offer in SP. Please consider offering and selling Fasano branded Tshirts, ball caps, and polo shirts....finally, and regrettably, Fasano no longer participates in The Leading Hotels of the World group. Love everything about this hotel and will definitely return,

Celebrating my birthday weekend at Fasano in Ipanema Beach was an absolute delight, and I'm…read moreincredibly grateful to my husband and the entire Fasano staff for orchestrating a memorable experience, complete with a surprise gift from friends back in Boston. Right from the moment I stepped into the hotel, the warmth and professionalism of the staff were evident, setting a positive tone for the entire stay. Despite arriving earlier than our check-in time, the staff seamlessly arranged for an early room, showcasing their commitment to guest satisfaction. The efforts of the entire hotel team made my birthday weekend truly unforgettable. Our room provided the perfect panoramic view of Ipanema Beach and Dois Irmãos, creating an ideal backdrop for people-watching and immersing myself in the celebratory atmosphere. The proximity to the carnival block parties added an extra layer of festivity and joy, making me feel fully immersed in the vibrant celebrations of Rio de Janeiro. The pool and rooftop area, with its impeccable views, coupled with incredible food and modern organic decor, was a highlight of our stay. The silver mirrors added a touch of modern fun, enhancing this overall aesthetically pleasing hotel. Fasano in Ipanema Beach proved to be the perfect setting for a celebratory weekend, combining exceptional service, stunning views, and a lively atmosphere. A heartfelt thank you to the Fasano team for making my birthday celebration truly special. One star off for the absurd wait times and extremely small elevators. Making it almost always an uncomfortable ride up. Additionally, I suggest adding a merchandise/gift shop for those who would like to take home hats & shirts with the Fasano Ipanema Beach name. Otherwise excellent stay - I will be back!

Before traveling to Brazil, I spent a lot of time researching tour companies, reading reviews, and…read moretrying to understand what kind of experience my wife and I wanted to have. After spending time in Rio and São Paulo from April 16th through April 29th with Rio4Fun and Guilherme, I can honestly say this became one of the best travel experiences we have ever had anywhere in the world. I know sometimes Google reviews can sound exaggerated, and I honestly wondered the same thing before booking. After this trip, I completely understand why people write such passionate reviews about Rio4Fun. If anything, I do not think words fully capture the level of care, personalization, and effort Guilherme puts into making sure people have an unforgettable experience in Brazil. My wife and I booked three private tours with Rio4Fun: the Rio City Tour, the Favela Tour, and the Food Tour. What made everything so special was that Guilherme never made us feel like customers being moved from stop to stop. From the first day we met him, it genuinely felt like we had a friend in Brazil who wanted us to experience the city the way he would want his own friends and family to experience it. We told Guilherme we were huge foodies and wanted to explore Rio through food, culture, and local experiences instead of just doing typical tourist activities. The Food Tour especially was incredible because it felt authentic and personal. He introduced us to places we never would have found on our own, and every recommendation felt thoughtful and intentional. Outside of the tours themselves, Guilherme helped us with so much more than we expected. We would casually ask questions about beaches, neighborhoods, shopping, restaurants, chocolate shops, nightlife, or places worth seeing, and he always had amazing recommendations ready for us. What impressed me most was that he actually listened to what we liked and tailored recommendations around our personalities and interests. One thing my wife absolutely loved was how flexible and relaxed the tours felt. Guilherme has incredible style and knowledge of local fashion and shopping spots, and anytime we walked past stores or boutiques that caught our attention, he happily adjusted the day and gave us time to explore. We never once felt rushed or pressured to stay on a strict schedule. Instead, the experience felt fully customized around us. Another thing that made this trip unforgettable was how much effort Guilherme put into helping us create memories. Everywhere we went, he offered to take photos for us using our own phones, which completely changed the experience. We never had to struggle with awkward selfies or ask strangers to take pictures. Somehow he knew camera settings on my brand-new iPhone that I did not even know existed, and every single picture came out incredible. I am also a huge soccer fan, and after learning that, Guilherme helped create an experience I will never forget. He helped us navigate ticket options and guided us through the process in a way that made everything easy and stress-free. The timing of our trip also ended up being perfect. Traveling through Rio and São Paulo from April 16th through April 29th gave us beautiful weather while avoiding overwhelming tourist crowds. Because things were less crowded, our experience with Guilherme felt even more personal and relaxed. By the end of the trip, we were not just sad to leave Brazil -- we were genuinely sad to say goodbye to Guilherme. I truly wish yelp allowed more than 5 stars because Rio4Fun deserves it. If you are planning a trip to Brazil and are debating whether or not to book with them, stop debating and do it. It will completely change your experience for the better.

Guilherme was so helpful and we did not even take his tour this time. Long story, I had been…read moresearching for private tour guides and this company caught my eye! Gui reached out via WhatsApp and was very generous with his recommendations and sharing insights for visiting Rio during a rainy few days. Perfect English, flexible with ideas/plans, and patient with my tourist questions. We will definitely reach out when we are in town and the sun is shining again. Thanks Giu!

Best hotel in Ipanema ...Paulo took care of me .. great customer service . Very friendly and…read moreprofessional I will Stay here every time

It's often tough to find a modern, safe, well-situated, independent hotel for less than $300/night…read morein Rio or São Paulo. I rolled the dice when I booked Mar Ipanema and I'm happy to report that it turned out to be quite a charmer. The hotel's right on Rua Visconde De Pirajá which is a major shopping street with plenty of juice bars, restaurants, clothing boutiques and shoe shops as soon as you step outside. Ipanema beach is just two blocks away. Location-wise, the hotel's pretty unbeatable if you want to be in the Zona Sul area of Rio. Rooms are clean and sparse. I found mine quite comfortable and quiet (ask for a room that faces the back of the hotel if you're a light sleeper). When I departed for a run or breakfast it was cleaned promptly (which I love). Breakfast is included in the room rate and is served buffet style downstairs in the pub/restaurant, Armazém Devassa. Highlights include fresh watermelon juice and scrambled eggs that are not made from powder (hey, it's the little things). Wifi is very spotty (but if you travel to Brazil often for work, you're used to this) at the Mar Ipanema. There's no gym, but why not take a walk or run along the beach? The staff speaks English and is very accommodating. Overall, I'd call Mar Ipanema pretty good value for Brazil (where I generally think hotels are overpriced relative to their amenities) and I'd stay here again gladly.

We just completed a weeks stay at this hotel/resort in Rio de Janeiro. I have mixed feelings…read moreregarding our stay and will outline a few key points here. The hotel staff was extremely friendly and helpful and most went out of their way to ensure we had a good stay. Several of the staff recognized us and would greet us by name, which was very nice of them. I was also very pleased that a good majority spoke enough English to be able to adequately assist us. We spoke to the concierge desk several times to have them help us with some things, and they were more than willing to give information to provide assistance. They even helped us book a private tour of the rainforest, which was absolutely wonderful. Where I feel that things were lacking was in the upkeep of the rooms and some of the facilities. Small things go a long way to making your stay seem more enjoyable. Such as replacing old and tarnished fixtures in the bathrooms, replacing warped flooring when moisture or humidity has caused it to bubble, and ensuring there are not piles of dust and debris along the baseboards. Also, the breakfast buffet, which they added to our room for free, could have been much better if the food was hot. The pancakes and French toast were cold every day. However, being able to have an omelette made fresh and how you wanted it was a nice touch and one of the best parts of breakfast. The pools could really use some updates as well. The tiles are visibly aged, and the grout was rather dirty looking. Also, the wooden stairs that they lift each evening that lead to the beach should be replaced as they were very rickety and felt unsafe. The ultimate question is, if I were to go back, would I stay at the same hotel? My answer is no. I say this, not just because of the need to upgrade some things and do some deep cleaning, but also because the location is not the best. I thought we would be able to leave the hotel and be within walking distance of many things. That is not the case. While you could walk from the hotel to some of the areas along the beach, it would be quite the trek and through some areas you probably shouldn't be walking in. All in all, we had a wonderful vacation, but simply wish we had booked better accommodations.

This was our first visit to Rio, and we really enjoyed our stay at this Sheraton!…read more We picked this hotel because it's the only one in Rio that is actually beachfront without needing to cross a road or street to get to the beach. We were ushered right up the Sheraton Club level for check-in, and we had a spacious vice-presidential suite with a large living room, two bathrooms, and a separate bedroom. We were also greeted with sparkling wine and traditional Brazilian sweets in the room. The staff - especially the club level staff - were amazingly helpful and friendly! They contacted me by email before check-in and were able to arrange a complimentary late check-out at 7:00pm (!!) since our flight was not until 11:00pm. The club lounge was truly wonderful. Snacks and soft drinks are available all day with an extensive hot breakfast in the morning and hot appetizers with complimentary wine, cocktails, and caipirinhas in the evening. The hotel has several restaurants and a wonderful (and amazingly inexpensive) spa that we visited twice for massages and other treatments. The pool is lovely with plenty of seating and bar service. You do receive two complimentary poolside cocktails per guest per stay as well. Down a small staircase from the pool is the beach which had Sheraton chairs and towels available as well. They also have tennis courts and bicycles for rent. The elevators are a bit slow even though there are six of them, and the hotel is a bit tucked away from the rest of Rio. However, the hotel operates a complimentary shuttle approximately hourly which will take you to a large shopping mall in Rio. I highly recommend this hotel for your stay in Rio!