We've chosen the hotel for its location and we were not disappointed at all since the prices were among the most competitive in Ipanema for the comfort offered.
Our room (ask for the higher floors possible!) was pretty small but clean with air con but no possibility to regulate temperature so we woke up every night freezing... The furniture were quite old but all in good working condition. Make sure you don't use their laundry service, it's a rip off! You'll fine plenty in the streets around. Also charging 15 R$ for Internet is really cheeky! Breakfast buffet was excellent with lots of fresh fruits!

during the reservation process the hotel required credit card information including a photocopy of front and back of my card - i never heard of this but sent them the information required. 1 week later i was called by my credit card company fraud alert for an attempted spending spree in rio. i explained i was still in the united states and my company blocked all attempts at card usage (thank god for fraud alert). i had to cancel my card and it took 10 days to get a new one. rather than hold the entire hotel responsible for what was probably an unscrupulous employee i notified the management of the breach in the security and kept my reservation expecting they would make some conciliatory gesture. i was wrong - other than a cursory apology- the management did nothing to express their concern for their lack of security and my inconvenience. i was charged extra to use the safe in the room, extra to use internet, and extra for my one overnight guest. no comps whatsoever.
i have since found that for the same price i can get a larger, nicer, apartment through one of the many companies that rent them in ipanema.

We stayed at this small hotel for a couple of nights after taking a cruise from Venice, and found it just great. Our room was ready for us even though we arrived before 11am, and the Bell Boy took our cases up to the 8th floor, and checked that everything worked before leaving us. The Hotels location is superb, right in the middle of Ipanema Beach amongst the shops and bars, and only 2 blocks back from the Beach front. Hundreds (or possibly thousands) of buses run past the hotel so if you like to do your own thing in Rio you can get about almost anywhere from the hotel at minimal cost.

The hotel breakfast was just superb, with possibly the best selection of fresh fruit that I have ever seen in any hotel, plus the usual ham/cheese/cakes/rolls etc, plus a small selection of hot local food.

The hotel staff were curteous and helpful, and we could store our luggage safely after checking out, for several hours before our flight.

The room was OK, clean and tidy with plenty of hanging space and a small tv, but we didn't really stay much time in the room as there is so much to see in Rio.

We even had a view of the Christ the Redeemer statue from our bedroom window! (room 805)

Would we stay there again - Yes.

The Ipanema location is the main reason to stay at Vermont Hotel. The beach is a safe 5 min walk away. Enjoy the view of the ocean there and start relaxing. Vermont is a (very) basic hotel with clean rooms (you can open the window) and tired bathrooms. The staff speaks English and most are kind. The breakfast-staff offered service with a smile. Breakfast good, scrambled eggs spot on. People with sleep-issues should stay away from the frontrooms because the streetnoise is impressive, even during the night. The area is safe and has many restaurants. If you like Italian icecream (and who doesn't?) you should visit Vero, next door. Yummy.