Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Feb 25, 2016, 10:18 am
#1
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Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
I'll be staying here in April and in May and per Google Maps it's 14 miles to the major tourist areas of Rio, travel time 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic. 
The hotel is way to far if you plan to spend most of your time around the areas you listed on your post. It's also a bit too far from the new subway line 4 which is due to open before the Olympics, closest station 4 miles. Looks like I'll be spending a lot on taxis.
At least it's located in a nice area and most importantly it's on the beach. Can't beat a new hotel, and it's a Grand Hyatt. Love those Granado Bath Products!
The hotel is way to far if you plan to spend most of your time around the areas you listed on your post. It's also a bit too far from the new subway line 4 which is due to open before the Olympics, closest station 4 miles. Looks like I'll be spending a lot on taxis.At least it's located in a nice area and most importantly it's on the beach. Can't beat a new hotel, and it's a Grand Hyatt. Love those Granado Bath Products!
As I have already pointed out earlier on this thread few years ago, the location is terrible if one wants to spend some time doing sightseeing in Rio or visit Leblon/Ipanema/Copacabana frequently.
The drive is 30 minutes to an hour each way.
The hotel is suitable if one is planning to spend the entire time around Barra where one can find western malls.
The drive is 30 minutes to an hour each way.
The hotel is suitable if one is planning to spend the entire time around Barra where one can find western malls.
Mar 31, 2016, 6:54 am
#2
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I just stayed at barra da tijuca during carnaval. It is true that it is not central to the main spots of rio, but at the same time it is not that far. I took a bus to copacabana, also taxi and Uber. All both very affordable.
I enjoyed barra's beach and kiosks, restaurants, bloco parties.
Sometimes ocean front and brand new hotel is more valuable than location. Specially if you are elite (upgrade, lounge, etc)
I enjoyed barra's beach and kiosks, restaurants, bloco parties.
Sometimes ocean front and brand new hotel is more valuable than location. Specially if you are elite (upgrade, lounge, etc)
Apr 20, 2016, 12:38 pm
#3
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Just completed a stay at the GH Rio. Excellent Diamond treatment on an almost empty hotel (only 2 of 6 floors yet open). The really try to shine!
Transport is 160 BRL via executive taxi (can be booked everywhere in the airport) or ~120 BRL in the regular metered yellow ones. UberX would run a bit less expensive at ~90-110 BRL depending on travel time, but since they are not allowed to pick up guests at GIG only useful for the way back.
Travel time was 35min from GIG to the GH at 10PM and 55min back to the airport at 8PM a few days later. Could however exceed 2 houres easily if traffic picks up...
Transport is 160 BRL via executive taxi (can be booked everywhere in the airport) or ~120 BRL in the regular metered yellow ones. UberX would run a bit less expensive at ~90-110 BRL depending on travel time, but since they are not allowed to pick up guests at GIG only useful for the way back.
Travel time was 35min from GIG to the GH at 10PM and 55min back to the airport at 8PM a few days later. Could however exceed 2 houres easily if traffic picks up...
Apr 20, 2016, 4:44 pm
#4
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Is the club lounge open yet? What about the pool? All restaurants?
BTW, 160 BRL = US$45-50.
BTW, 160 BRL = US$45-50.
Apr 21, 2016, 11:10 am
#5
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The lounge is fully open. 7th floor. Breakfast is served there from 6:30 until 10:30 AM (no access for Diamonds to the main restaurant), later some canapees and finally some cocktails + fairly extensive evening spread from 5 until 7:30 PM (2 warm dishes, salads, antipasti, sweet selection, wine, beer, etc). Impressive. Not sure whether the hotel can sustain that quality level, after the first lounge maximisers have dug through the buffet 
Usually not more than 4, 5 guests in a lounge with ~80 seats. Two beautiful balconies (ocean view and another one with lagoon view) perfectly suited for a sunset drink.
Usually not more than 4, 5 guests in a lounge with ~80 seats. Two beautiful balconies (ocean view and another one with lagoon view) perfectly suited for a sunset drink.
Apr 21, 2016, 11:14 am
#6
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Pool is also fully open, same as the (three) restaurants. There is also a small hotel section on the public beach (6 sets of chairs plus umbrella IIRC) just across the street.
On a sidenote: There was a hotel lifeguard on duty both for the pool and (hotel) beach from 8 AM until 10 PM, sitting there for hours and staring at the usually empty pool even during dinner time. Truly no staff shortage at the hotel...
On a sidenote: There was a hotel lifeguard on duty both for the pool and (hotel) beach from 8 AM until 10 PM, sitting there for hours and staring at the usually empty pool even during dinner time. Truly no staff shortage at the hotel...
Apr 22, 2016, 3:33 pm
#7
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Would go back to a brand new Grand Hyatt if it were located in the hip happening areas (Copacabana or Ipanema).
But sadly this new property's location does not measure up
I do not want to be traveling an hour each time I want to get to the tourist areas.
What were they thinking?
Having said that: the location is perfect if you are a business person needing to be in the Barra area.
But if I want to be at a Grand Hyatt on the beach--I wold simply fly to Kauai--much easier trip, and no visa needed.
Apr 22, 2016, 4:24 pm
#8
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Grand Hyatt Rio REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Only two floors of the hotel are open right now. When the other 5 floors are opened later this month the club and facilities will have more bodies.
The Club at the Grand Hyatt in Sao Paulo sort of has an identical spread, I doubt they will cut back when the hotel is at 100% capacity.
It's a beautiful, stunning hotel, was upgraded to a beautiful suite with an ocean view. View from the lounge at Sunset is breath taking. I'm sure this will be rated in the top 5 hotels in Rio if not the best. Gym, Spa, Restaurants and service is 5 stars, I like the area no too touristy, safe. This hotel is in-between a US Park Hyatt and US Grand Hyatt.
Staff has been awesome, caring, eager to help, friendly....So far much a better experience than my stay at the Park Hyatt NYC... I'm pretty happy, I think the hotel is worth the journey.
BTW: Paid $120R ($34 US) from the airport to the hotel using Yellow Cab. Using Uber to get from the hotel to and form the tourist sites is the best option.
The Club at the Grand Hyatt in Sao Paulo sort of has an identical spread, I doubt they will cut back when the hotel is at 100% capacity.
It's a beautiful, stunning hotel, was upgraded to a beautiful suite with an ocean view. View from the lounge at Sunset is breath taking. I'm sure this will be rated in the top 5 hotels in Rio if not the best. Gym, Spa, Restaurants and service is 5 stars, I like the area no too touristy, safe. This hotel is in-between a US Park Hyatt and US Grand Hyatt.
Staff has been awesome, caring, eager to help, friendly....So far much a better experience than my stay at the Park Hyatt NYC... I'm pretty happy, I think the hotel is worth the journey.
BTW: Paid $120R ($34 US) from the airport to the hotel using Yellow Cab. Using Uber to get from the hotel to and form the tourist sites is the best option.
The lounge is fully open. 7th floor. Breakfast is served there from 6:30 until 10:30 AM (no access for Diamonds to the main restaurant), later some canapees and finally some cocktails + fairly extensive evening spread from 5 until 7:30 PM (2 warm dishes, salads, antipasti, sweet selection, wine, beer, etc). Impressive. Not sure whether the hotel can sustain that quality level, after the first lounge maximisers have dug through the buffet
Usually not more than 4, 5 guests in a lounge with ~80 seats. Two beautiful balconies (ocean view and another one with lagoon view) perfectly suited for a sunset drink.
Usually not more than 4, 5 guests in a lounge with ~80 seats. Two beautiful balconies (ocean view and another one with lagoon view) perfectly suited for a sunset drink.
Last edited by Radiant Flyer; Apr 22, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Apr 23, 2016, 7:02 pm
#9
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I do not want to be traveling an hour each time I want to get to the tourist areas.
What were they thinking?
Having said that: the location is perfect if you are a business person needing to be in the Barra area.
But if I want to be at a Grand Hyatt on the beach--I wold simply fly to Kauai--much easier trip, and no visa needed.
Apr 23, 2016, 7:27 pm
#10
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The hotel will arrange tours, for a fee they even have a car to take you to into the city... I took uber today, just $20.
I'm here now and I'm having ONE OF THE BEST HOTEL STAYS EVER!!!
THIS IS AN AWSOME PROPERTY, STAFF IS AWESOME!!! LOVING MY OCEAN VIEW SUITE, I DON't WANT TO LEAVE!!!
You hear this Park Hyatt NYC!!!!
FYI: Hotel location is stunning... right at the edge of a nature reserve, and the sunsets are priceless!!! Rooms are in-between Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt Standards. Worth the 15 hour flight from SFO (via JFK)
GM told me this hotel in the new generation for International Grand Hyatt's!
I'm here now and I'm having ONE OF THE BEST HOTEL STAYS EVER!!!
THIS IS AN AWSOME PROPERTY, STAFF IS AWESOME!!! LOVING MY OCEAN VIEW SUITE, I DON't WANT TO LEAVE!!!
You hear this Park Hyatt NYC!!!!
FYI: Hotel location is stunning... right at the edge of a nature reserve, and the sunsets are priceless!!! Rooms are in-between Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt Standards. Worth the 15 hour flight from SFO (via JFK)
GM told me this hotel in the new generation for International Grand Hyatt's!
We are staying there in January. I've tried to determine if the hotel will have a company offering escorted tours of Rio's highlights but have received no response. Nothing on their website. We're only there for a couple of days and don't want to be confined to our room, a beach, and perhaps a shopping mall.
Last edited by Radiant Flyer; Apr 23, 2016 at 7:36 pm
Apr 24, 2016, 2:32 am
#11
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We are staying there in January. I've tried to determine if the hotel will have a company offering escorted tours of Rio's highlights but have received no response. Nothing on their website. We're only there for a couple of days and don't want to be confined to our room, a beach, and perhaps a shopping mall.
The hotel can arrange a private tour and quoted the following:
driver is 150BRL per hour
driver+guide for 180 BRL per hour both options require a 5 hour minimum.
Apr 24, 2016, 6:14 pm
#12
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I'm here right now and asked about the tours... (I'm not the tour type I prefer to go alone).
Club Concierge Staff and the Director of Guest Experience have told me they would work on tours depending on the guest needs. If you want to meet up in a middle of of tour or have a one on one private tour they will make it happen.
They have all been beyond helpful. Service has been beyond my expectations, from the pool, restaurants, club staff, you say jump, they ask how high.
Same service I had at the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires.
After spending the day in Copacabana it was refreshing to return to the the Grand Hyatt.
BTW: It's a beautiful drive from here to Ipanema, has to be one of the most beautiful urban highway in the world... the scenery is breathtaking.
Club Concierge Staff and the Director of Guest Experience have told me they would work on tours depending on the guest needs. If you want to meet up in a middle of of tour or have a one on one private tour they will make it happen.
They have all been beyond helpful. Service has been beyond my expectations, from the pool, restaurants, club staff, you say jump, they ask how high.
Same service I had at the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires.
After spending the day in Copacabana it was refreshing to return to the the Grand Hyatt.
BTW: It's a beautiful drive from here to Ipanema, has to be one of the most beautiful urban highway in the world... the scenery is breathtaking.
Did you sent the email to [email protected]? I had the same issue not getting a response. After a week I sent an email to the GM and he got back to me right away. The hotel was having trouble receiving messages into that inbox, but that should be fixed now.
The hotel can arrange a private tour and quoted the following:
driver is 150BRL per hour
driver+guide for 180 BRL per hour both options require a 5 hour minimum.
The hotel can arrange a private tour and quoted the following:
driver is 150BRL per hour
driver+guide for 180 BRL per hour both options require a 5 hour minimum.
Last edited by Radiant Flyer; Apr 24, 2016 at 6:19 pm
Apr 24, 2016, 7:29 pm
#13
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Thanks so much RadiantFlyer and Roadwarrior- I'm now sure that I can arrange a tour through the hotel, be it group or private, that will not leave us at a hotel so far out that we can't enjoy a city we've never visited. I'll be in touch with them closer to our arrival in January to get the specifics.
I really appreciate your good help !
I really appreciate your good help !
Apr 25, 2016, 7:12 pm
#14
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Well I hope you have the same experience I had, this has been an remarkable stay, one of my best stays ever. I took the hotel car into the city today and thought is was worth the extra cash, far more personable, waters, facial wipes, free wifi and divers that speak english that can hold an interesting and informative conversation.
To me Barra da Tijuca is a fantastic area, Copacabana was South Beach on steroids, Barra da Tijuca seemed more like a pleasant, safe, beautiful beach retreat!
Can't wait to return in May. Grand Hyatt Rio, is beyond GRAND, service was above and beyond. ^^^
Going to be hard to leave..
To me Barra da Tijuca is a fantastic area, Copacabana was South Beach on steroids, Barra da Tijuca seemed more like a pleasant, safe, beautiful beach retreat!
Can't wait to return in May. Grand Hyatt Rio, is beyond GRAND, service was above and beyond. ^^^
Going to be hard to leave..
Thanks so much RadiantFlyer and Roadwarrior- I'm now sure that I can arrange a tour through the hotel, be it group or private, that will not leave us at a hotel so far out that we can't enjoy a city we've never visited. I'll be in touch with them closer to our arrival in January to get the specifics.
I really appreciate your good help !
I really appreciate your good help !
Apr 25, 2016, 9:38 pm
#15
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Got the email tonight for buy one night get the second free here and wish I had a weekend in Rio to try it out. Checked the rate for a random weekend in May and it comes out to $130 usd a night. Not bad for a brand new GH on the beach.