Originally Posted by
pcruiser
I will be in Rio February 9 through 12. I have a room at the J.W. Marriott with breakfast, executive lounge access and an Atrium view. Other cheaper nearby hotels are already full. Is it just high season or is something going on then? Carnival is in March.
I have stayed at the Marriott, Rio. It is very nice and it is just across from the ocean. You should enjoy staying there. You stated that other hotels are already full. This is not unusual. If you continue to check for vacancies, you might get lucky.
Originally Posted by
pcruiser
We can get a city view room with breakfast at the Copacabana Plaza for an extra $297 tax included. The rate includes two free 50 minute massages which would cost about $130 USD each although we'd not pay that much. Is the hotel special enough to justify the extra cost. before tax the nightly rate is $435 which is cheap for that hotel but expensive otherwise.
The Sheraton on the beach came well recommended but a friend who stayed there said it is so far from everything that we'd do better at Copacabana beach. Agree?
I have also stayed at the Copacabana Palace back in 2003. I was not impressed at all with the hotel. It is overpriced for what you get. The hotel is very old and has a musty smell in the lobby despite its popularity and upgrading. The room I got was noisy and did not have an ocean view. I left after only one day and moved to the Marriott.
The gimmick about the "free" massage only shows how desperate the hotel is to get guests. Are you sure you were quoted dollars for the massage instead of reais (local currency)? If local currency, the "free" massage would be overpriced. If the rate was in dollars you would be taken advantage of without question.
There are "special" rooms and areas of the hotel that are nice but they are usually reserved for high profile guests.
Enjoy Rio but be careful along the beaches in Copa at night.