Although I live in Rio, I have had occasion to stay at the Sheraton from time to time. It has an awkward location, just outside of the central residential zone known as Zona Sul. Although only a short distance from Leblon, the south most part of the Zona Sul, it is not safe for a tourist to walk or take a public bus at any time of day – use a taxi or the hotel shuttle. You cannot walk anywhere from the Sheraton and there are no restaurants, supermarkets or anything else you can get to without a taxi.

The hotel itself is quite satisfactory, with wonderful views. The rooms are pretty standard hotel level, basically a bedroom and a bathroom, with a chair or two thrown in. The Towers rooms have nicer furniture and are larger, although there are better accommodations in the main part of the hotel as well. It is not Luxury Collection standard, but then it doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a Sheraton. I have always had excellent treatment as a platinum SPG. Personally, I would not recommend it to a visitor because of its location, but the Intercontinental is even worse in this respect. If you want to be in the heart of the Zona Sul, try Caesar Park, Marriott, Copacabana Palace, Meridien, or any of the many Brazilian hotels (which are far cheaper and the same standard).