Right at the get go, the afternoon/evening front desk guy Nivaldo was instantly rude, then proceeded to say there was an issue with the charge to our room. I had booked through hotels.com and Nivaldo said they were provided w/incorrect info from hotels.com. So, he said we will have to pay for whomever's mistake. I thought maybe he had an off day, but he had the same attitude the following day. I also came across another American hotel guest that had the same issue w/him, regarding his rude and abrasive personality. I cannot say the same for other hotel staff. The cleaning service, bellhop and other front desk staff were much more honest, helpful and accomodating for the remainder of our stay. In the end, there was no problem w/our room rates and such, Nivaldo was just being an as% and difficult. The hotel is like 5 blocks from the beach but right across the metro station if you want to take to go to Ipanema Beach. I recommend Ipanema Beach over Copacabana. More locals frequent Ipanema than the saturated tourists on Copacabana.

We were happy with our stay at the Premier Copacabana Hotel. Its location right across from the metro made it easy to go to Ipanema and Centro. Although it is not on the beach, the walk of 5 short blocks is interesting. There are numerous restaurants and a couple supermarkets nearby.

Our room was large with a separate sitting room. The furnishings are dated but the room was clean. The shower was extra-large. An in-room safe can be used for a small daily fee. The free wireless internet is a plus. There is a breakfast buffet included with a variety of food choices. The rooftop pool is small but great for cooling off on a hot day. There is a good view of Corcovado from the rooftop; be sure to go up at sunset to see the lights come on.

Although some reviews criticize the staff, we found them to be friendly and helpful. We did not take any of the tours set up by the hotel, but other guests we talked to said the tours were very good.

not a bad place - room OK with TV including English channels and wifi - but the walk to the beach was about 5 blocks - - one street I felt safer on (the south of the hotel) - the one to the north I was hassled especially at night (I am fairly fit 6'1" 200 pound guy). basically after dinner I came back to the room and hung out as i did not feel safe after dark in the area (it was OK during the day) - there are safer areas in the city. The subway is good and right across the street - if I were only using the subway this would be fine. If I went back to Rio I would definitely stay in Ipanema - much safer and more foreign tourist friendly - if a bit more costly it would still be worth it for piece of mind. I guess I could have taken a taxi everywhere but this was a budget trip - for the extra price of cabs I would have just stayed in Ipanema.

While I had a great deal on Hotelbook.com my reservation specifically stated that tax and service were included - at checkout there was a fairly significant tax and service charge and I was told that it was not included. I showed them the reservation and basically was told I was wrong, then they tried to say with the conversion rate it was included (not even close). I needed to leave to catch my plane so it was paid with my credit card - when I got home I called Hotelbook.com on the number on their emailed post stay questionnaire - this number connects you to a person that does reservations only - when i asked for customer service they gave me the number for web support and i reached a dead end with them (they said there was no one to call). Hotelbook.com is obviously just a booking engine with no customer support - just a warning - my losses are about $30 so it won't kill me - but it irks me.

Looks great on paper: good breakfast, nice hall, swimming pool, etc. But the better days of this hotel are long gone. Rooms are small, beds are small, the single-glass window doesn't hold the noice from the street very well, etc. But most notably: the staff throughout the hotel is VERY unfriendly.