Don't know where to start really. Only a few rooms have a bath and you won't be offered one of those unless you happen to be smoker and then you can have one on the top floor. My wife cannot shower and thus we were forced to pay extra for a room with a bath (about £20 per night extra). We were forced to sign a chitty before we were allowed to move into the room with a bath. The first room we had been offered was like a dungeon - truly awful. Breakfast was good food (especially the fruit) but like a rugby scrum and very noisy. Buffet dinner was excellent. The staff were good and the room was clean. And then we came to check out!
You have to check out early - were were flying late. You can use the roof top pool area where there is a shower. What they don't tell you is the shower is only cold and has clear glass doors open to the corridor which can be seen by all and sundry!! Is it me or should I be allowed to shower without waiters and guests watching me? I cannot recommend this hotel - stay down the road at the five star Windsor - it looked a lot better.

We stayed here for 6 nights over new year. Top spot close to the main beach and shops and everything Rio. However, the rooms were very tired. They still have double beds! The room we had was tiny and cramped for two people for 6 nights. Disappointing. We were given a smoking room at first but as non-smokers they moved us, but not without appearing disgruntled. Pool bar on the top floor has great views and was fantastic for new year. We ate in the restaurant one night and the food was excellent but the place lacks atmosphere. Breakfasts were various and the water was hot for tea. This is a rarity in South America. Overall, not what we expected for a Windsor Hotel, but serviceable and centrally located.

I stayed here in October on business. I booked 9 rooms for two nights at a competitive rate. The rooms were decent and had a lovely view of the beach but my stay was spoiled as they refused to allow my Brazilian friend who I hadn't seen in two years to come up to my room to see me. She was told she was a prostitute and I was politely and discreetly informed that you cannot take'the girls' to your room. Fair enough , but this girl was an old work colleague, around my age and it made me both angry and very embarrassed for her. I will be in rio again in January for work, and as a result of that rudeness, wil not be staying there.

The Windsor Plaza Copacabana is a reasonably priced hotel in an expensive part of Rio. The common areas (lobby, rooftop pool, etc) are nicer than the rooms. Our room felt like a Days Inn or Quality Inn in the United States, but with a nicer bathroom. Breakfast is included and the buffet is massive. The staff is friendly and most spoke English. We never felt unsafe in the areas around the hotel, and would stay here again without hesitation!

A few things: The room did not have an iron, so you can either pay for the hotel laundry service, or have a wrinkled stay in Rio. Also, the doormen would usually try to get us to take a black cab when leaving the hotel. These cabs have set fees to places like Corcovado and Sugarloaf, and we found them to be more expensive than the yellow cabs, which are everywhere. Wifi was not free in the room, but you could pay by the minute (about $0.13/minute).