I have travelled all over the world in the last decade, and I would have to say that this hotel sets a new standard in unpleasantness. I can only conclude that the staff, especially those working at the reception desk, undergo special training in treating customers with unrelenting, sneering disdain. To describe the staff as impolite would be a gross understatement - rather, try to picture a demeanour of barely-suppressed rage provoked by the inconvenience of having to receive a client at the reception desk at the late hour of 2200h. I booked 3 nights, prepaid, but left after one day and forfeited the money paid rather than stay a moment longer. The room (or rather, cubicle) was dark, airless and musty.

We stayed at Hotel Astoria for two nights after staying in two other hotels previously in Rio. The Astoria was by far the best hotel we stayed in during our stay in Rio and represented great value for money. Swimming pool looks right over Copacabana beach with the beach just across the road.

It was my first time in Rio de Janeiro so I didn’t know the city well and hotels as well, so I booked a room in Astoria and when I came there the problems began. The reception man (a very big guy) who could not even fit in my small room, was very unpolite, he could not find my reservation even though I gave him prepaid voucher! When we clear that he gave me the card and when I enter into my room I couldn’t belive my eyes - I have never seen a room so small! The room service was bad, actually there was no room service and my air condition was not working properly so my suitcases were wet because there was water coming out from my air condition…
The location is also not the best especially if you want to go on Ipanema beach, so I could not agree that location is perfect.
I also invited some friends and they were not allowed to enter in my room not even during the day!
Anyway I do not recommend this hotel to anyone, if you can avoid that place and find something else. There are so many hotels in Rio and even hostels are better than that… some friends stayed in one hostel which was much much better than my hotel and of course cheaper than Astoria!

We booked this hotel because of its location and reasonable rates. It was a last minute booking made under 24 hours due to an emergency at about 10pm the night before. Turns out we were unable to secure transportation to Rio from Buzios and called back in the morning to cancel since we wouldn't be able to make it. The hotel staff that answered the phone was rude and hung up on us refusing to help us with a refund, even though there was plenty of time to sell the room.