The Windsor Miramar Palace Hotel is a traditional hotel in Rio de Janeiro, established in the 50's. I stayed there several times in 2009. Like many other places there are pros and cons. The staff was very friendly and helpful at every opportunity, the cuisine is very good as well, rooms are spacious with an awesome view to the beach... However, most bathrooms are in need of a reform (those old bathtubs are simply disgusting and they don't smell good).

The staff was very helpful and accommodating. The breakfast was excellent and its location on the beach was ideal for beautiful views. However, the neighborhood is a bit overrun and the room itself was quite inadequate. There were ants in the room and the internet was spotty and slow. Most of the rooms had a balcony off the side of the building with a pretty view of the ocean. If the rooms were cleaner and remodeled, then it would be much nicer place to stay.

I stayed at the Miramar Palace Hotel (aka “W”—I think for Westin) for three nights as part of a Tourlite International group tour. The tour group (which I would not recommend) selected the hotel. The tour guide reiterated daily how wonderful and sought after this hotel was. I think she was trying to convince us that we were actually in a place that was respectable when the reality was that this hotel is comparable to a Motel 6, at best. The view of the beach was ok and the breakfast was pretty good. When you take away those two factors this place is a complete and utter dump. There are little ants crawling all over the room and in every room. The sheets are dirty and pillows smell of nothing good. The bathtub and shower curtains smell of mildew. The hotel does not offer an iron so don’t expect to smooth out those wrinkles after a long flight. You’ll have to go out as you are. Bring your own washcloth or bath sponge. The hotel does not provide washcloths. There appears to be much better options in Copacabana, Impanema or Leblon. Search for hotels in Impanema or Leblon before you opt for a hotel in Copacabana. I also did a search of Tourlite after my trip and the packages they offer on their website do not include this hotel. This is an indication that they do not use Miramar Palace Hotel on their standard trips. I have no idea why they placed us in a hotel that they do not advertise but I fault our travel agent for not doing research in advance. You are spending good money to travel and if you want to enjoy your trip stay away from this place.

Really a great deal for Rio. The rate is relatively cheap and the location is amazing. The service was good and the room was a nice size and clean. I stayed for 8 days and had no problems (except the first night I saw a tiny little Iguana in the room but that may be expended in a tropical environment)! I plan on staying there again when I go back to Rio. If you are looking for a pool stay somewhere else but the beach is across the street. Oh and the no WIFI in the room was annoying.