Originally Posted by
george 3
David, thank you for the good report. What was the surrounding neighborhood like for restaurants, coffee shops, shopping for the ladies? Is it convenient to Copacabana Beach or is the beach by the hotel adequate/comparable (other than the name)? Lastly, I'm trying to decide whether I should stay at this hotel or the Sheraton Barra Beach - Barra appears to be a bit Americanized, but further away from Copa. But Barra seems to have quite a bit of action as well.
Sheraton Rio Hotel is quite near to Leblon - 10/15 minute walk downhill or a 1-2 minute taxi ride. Leblon is the upscale neighbourhood for Leme/Copacabana/Ipanema.
Leblon and Ipanema are definitely where ladies love shopping, nice surroundings and nice cafes, near Lagoa, another upscale neighborhood with restaurants, etc
If your first time in Rio, Barra may disappoint you as it is too americanized also in the distances: you may need a car/taxi to go from one place to the other.
Copacabana is more popular and 10km away, always going by the beaches of Leblon, Ipanema - upscale beaches - and the next beach is Copacabana.
Cheers.