And I don't think it's going to get any better in the future with the World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016!

I've stayed at the Caesar Park in Ipanema for the last 10 years ... it is not a luxury property, despite what they may try to claim, but it is ideally situated and I know the hotel and its generally excellent staff inside and out. They have tried to refurbish the property several times, but it's always been a half-hearted effort (whether it be the lobby/bar areas or the "club" rooms) ... I'm not sure how serious the Mexican group Posadas is about this property, though I guess they have no reason to do things much differently as the hotel's occupancy rate is usually quite high (lots of business travelers, lots of tourists, lots of weekend visitors).

I've always thought someone should by the Sol Ipanema and do something really extravagant with the property - but they have a major problem with small common areas, parking, etc.