stayed here in this hotel on the ave atlantica, great location but the hotel is dated and the rooms very poor, and not too clean, pity for a hotel with great potential to fail in such basic standards.

We went to the Lancaster Othon expecting the worst, having read many of the reviews posted here on TripAdvisor. We only booked the hotel because those we were travelling with had selected it and we wanted to stay in the same place as them. I was, however, pleasantly surprised with this hotel. It's not the nicest, cleanest place I've ever stayed, but you can't have it all when you're paying so little for a room just metres away from one of the most famous beaches in the world!

Our room was very large and easily converted into a triple for a couple of nights when a friend joined us. Without the extra bed, we had more than enough space to lounge around in the chairs and on the chaise lounge and to spread our our suitcases and belongings. The air conditioning was a bit loud and iffy, but it kept us plenty cool during our stay. Housekeeping had failed to replace a few burnt out lightbulbs in the room and it felt a bit dark, but we didn't mind enough to complain. The shower was always hot and had fantastic water pressure. Bring your own toiletries, as the hotel only provides the bare minimum.

I think the condition of the rooms has improved over the last few months because it appears that the hotel is doing some redecorating/renovating. The lounge area behind the lobby is now nicely carpeted and furnished (unlike in some of the photos posted here) - there's a communal TV there and two computers with internet access.

The staff were friendly enough and there was always someone at the front desk who spoke excellent English.

One of the best parts about the hotel is the breakfast buffet. Included in the price of the room, it has hot food (eggs, sausages), various types of fresh fruit, cereals, juices, coffee/tea, cheeses, rolls and pastries and cold cut meats. It was so tasty and filling that it kept us going each day until at least mid-afternoon.

I'd wholeheartedly recommend the Lancaster Othon for anyone looking for a bargain hotel with a fantastic location. If you're looking for a top-notch hotel with everything on offer, go to the Copacabana Palace Hotel down the street and leave this hotel to the bargain hunters who will spend the majority of their time out and about in Rio, not cooped up on the hotel.

Stayed here for carnival Feb10th-16th 2010
First off locationis great, right on beach, close to shops,food,transporatation, etc...
But there are too many other hotels in area for staff to be so unreliable and unattentive.
When we first got there I had to call 3times before someone came up and fix the security box and provide more hangers for closet.
The day manager I think his name is Ricardo, what a piece of work. You ask him a question and he looks at you as if your bothering him. I had a painting delivered but I stepped out a minute. I comeback and ask him did anyone come by he says no. The bellhop got his attention and gestured to back area then he remembered there was a gentleman waiting for me in back with my painting.
Forget about a wake-up call, your lucky if they remember that. A frontdesk man by the name of Manolo(like the shoe) was very helpful and pleasant.
The Breakfast staff in dining area act as if they were upset you came down to eat, esspecially the short pale one with the rough skin.
I'm not hard to please or a picky person but I do expect decent customer service and sometimes just a smile can go a long way from staff. It lets you know at least they care and they only just work there, but its far and few here.
If you can afford better, get better

i had the worst time in rio because of this hotel. the staff didn't seem to care and the receptionist, kara was incompetent. imagine, she didn't tell me about my pick up and in effect, missed out on my tour because of her ineptitude. she didn't put 2 and 2 together (i was waiting by the internet room) and when someoen picked me up and i wasnt in the lobby (the lobby was like 10 feet away from where i was) she simply sent them away.
she's that smart. not only was she indifferent, she was flirting with the bellhop the whole time.

as for the place, its 100 years old. the rooms are dirty, old (the beddings seemed like it was there from the time the hotel opened) and there were ants! plus the bathroom floods each time you take a shower.

would not stay here ever again nor would recommend anyone. oh and they made me pay for internet that wasn't working. and you know how dated they are? it still uses dsl.