Ok, I got a deal on the Le MEridian CocoCabana for only $125 USD a night for this Friday and Saturday.. Also I am booked at the Cococabana Palace for $XXX a night for a couple more nights.. How are these places.. The Palace looks awesome, yet should I stay at the Le Meridian, or somewhere else instead of shelling out so much money? I am a LHW member so I booked through them, and I am getting an upgrade etc. But I am really wondering about the price and if it is truly worth it. Put it this way; the hotel cost more per night thatn a weekend at the Le Meridian.. Also is it a good idea to stay at the Sheraton on my last day? I would like to because I have a late flight, and want to take advantage of late checkout.

Thanks for Advice.. I leave tomorrow

Ryan: If you are a LHW member, did you try the Caesar Park Ipanema? Great property and location. I was there a few weeks ago and occupancy was around 60% - you might find a deal. I booked through the LHW website, though it was much more than $125 per night.

The Copacabana Place is a nicer property than the Meridien. However, for your price, the Meridien is good value and the location is practically the same, though a bit more on the Leme end of the Copacobana beach. In Rio, unless the weather is bad, you spend little time in your room. I was there for 10 days and had sun and mid-80s every day. The weather seems to be pretty good right now.

If you decide on the Meridien, ask for the highest room possible away from the street; it is on a very busy corner. Also, if you plan on hitting some of the nightlife spots in Copacabana, take appropriate precautions as you would in any large city. Some of the wilder spots are in the smaller streets back from the oceanfront.

I would not recommend the Sheraton: it is in Vidigal, which is after Ipanema and Leblon on the way to Sao Conrado. It is a huge, modern property with it's own beach, but it is far from everything (you need to shuttle or taxi to get back to Ipanema, Copa, Centro, etc). And its location is also at the foot of one of Rio's largest favela (slums) communities, so going for a stroll to check out the neighborhood is not a great option. I'm sure you could negotiate a late checkout with the other properties (this is fairly low season).

Have fun! This is a great, great city.

P.S. Forgot to add: take a mosquito repellent that is at least 50% DEET. There has been an outbreak of mosquito-borne Dengue Fever in Rio, and it's not fun to catch. If you plan on sleeping with the windows of your hotel room open, remember this.

[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 05-01-2002).]

I seem to recall it was Le Meridien that I stayed in about 10 years ago - the first block of Leme (same as Copacabana essentially). The hotel was very nice in a good location. If all is the same (I know 10 years is a long time in hotel years) you will be completely satisfied there and the savings over the remainder of the nights not changing hotels will be more than ample to pay for the rest of your trip expenses. I wouldn't go "too cheap" there - your safety is rule #1, and you need to stay at one of the hotels on Ave. Atlantica (the beach) if staying in copacabana.