I spent tuesday and friday at the IC rio
i have spent a total of 4 nights there since may
and each time i have gotten room 506
i feel like i own it

this time i got the 2 free drink and suit pressing coupons, as well as the fruit plate and 2 bottles of water

but i also got an IC Rio knit polo style shirt on each check in

i felt kinda guilty as i got all the free stuff on the $100 a nite rate, so i went to the restuarant and had the 25 reis beef tip appetizer

i didnt think it was that difficult to get around
but i personally dont like to spend a lot atime in copacabana due to the "element" that frequents there

i took the 5 reis approx. $2.25 US)bus from santos dumont airport and was dropped off in front of the hotel.

the hotel has a shuttle bus which goes to the rio sul mall 3 or 4 times a day, and they will drop you off anywhere along the way
and they may even devoiiate from the rioute if you want, as i have had them drop me off at the hippie fair in impanema, as well as the best western affiliated hotel on princess isabela avenue

there are public buses and private mini coaches which cost 1.80 reals which will take you back to copa and they run literally 24 hours a day

i went the opposite direction and spent some time in barra de tijuca.
i took the #175 bus for 1,80 reis and rode
there is a hard rock cafe there (and they offer a free shuttle to the marriott in copa), as well as an all you can eat sushi restuarant, as well as Barra Shopping mall, and i had to visit the Walmart there

but you can get killed trying to cross United Nations Avenue (or Avenida de americas) during rush hour

MY only complaint is that they use an exchange rate which raises your cost 5 to 15% above what you reserve on the web site

but i will contact the ambassador club about this and get the difference refunded to me