First, the best of the hotel: its location! It is located one street block behind the beach pf Ipanema, so you can put on your swimsuit and within two minutes you are the beach. Also, if you can trust what locals say, the area in Ipanema where the hotel is located is one of the safest ones in Rio (and Rio is dangerous in most places).

As for the hotel: Well, to put it bluntly, it's totally overpriced, the rooms are shabby, small and run-down. Renovating the whole hotel including the romms would be a must. To charge US$150 for the rooms as they are now is totally overpriced, but I assume that this will be the case for almost all hotel in this area. (I walked in the lobby of a couple of other hotels in the same price range to get an impression and it seemed that many hotels really look run-down and as if they need rennovating.
I was here on business, so it was OK for me as I don't have to shell out the money, but I would never pay as much for such a bad hotel room privately. For families with kids it is totally unsuitable. The rooms are really too tiny for that. Also, the concierge was NOT friendly and did not appear as if he wanted to be there

The roof-top restaurant is definitely a plus. Spectacular view of Rio de Janeiro! This is really great. The buffet for breakfast was also OK, lots of fresh vegetables.

In summary: The hotel has seen its heyday. It is run-down, the rooms are really small and shabby. Service and friendlyness at the front desk is average, the concierge was unprofessionell and not helpful. The roof-top restaurant and beach vicinity are a plus, but with respect to the bad condition of the hotel in general and of the rooms in particular and in light of US$150 room charge for this, I can give only 2 stars.
I would not recommend this hotel. For individual business travelers it maybe OK, but not for families at all and I would never book this hotel for a private stay.

It has what you need. Close to de beach, nice staff,

This hotel is badly in need of minor renovation. The carpets are threadbare, elevator doors iffy, bathroom mirrors cloudy, showers spray in unexpected directions, ill fitting bedsheets are soon a tangled knot, and windows that don't close properly let in raucous late night street noise. The unusual angular construction of hallways and rooms can be somewhat disconcerting, and tablecloths at cafe de manha really should be laundered once in a while. The hotel's location in Ipanema is outstanding. It's only half a block to the beach, and the hotel provides chaise lounges and umbrellas from a dedicated barraca. The staff at recepcao is friendly enough and will do what they can to accommodate your requirements. But it's an expensive hotel for what you get, and maybe not the best value until management gives the place a thorough going over.

I'm an American and I usually dont write reviews on my hotel stays despite the fact that Im a avid traveler, but this review I felt compelled write. I went with a friend the first week of March to the Carnaval in Rio, and as you might expect the hotels on ipanema beach would be expensive because of the festivities. I payed approximately 400 Reas a night to stay in this dump. I arrived at the hotel and from the outside it looked like a reasonable property. I walked in with all my bags in tow and the Bellman made no attempt to help me get my luggage up the steps. (I should have known then) Next I checked in, which seemed harmless enough, but it turned out that although they had been advertising a gym online, they no longer had a gym which was a problem for me because I workout regularly and never would have booked there if I had know there wasn't a gym. The worst part of the experience was my room, which was small, old, and dilapidated. The beds were two small twins bed which were essentially connected they were so close. There was a large crack running down the wall behind the TV. The furniture and decor was plain to say the least, it was worst than a Super 8 or Ramada Inn. This was suppose to be a 3 to 4 star hotel. The beds were uncomfortable and the mirror in the bathroom had something all over it that couldn't be wiped off, (I have pictures). There was a yellow high school lunch tray on the dresser with what appeared to be 5 yr old chips and cashews. No prices were attached and my initial impression was that this was complimentary, but no it was for sell. The only thing decent about my stay here was the breakfast which was nicely done and displayed every morning except during the weekend. The location of the hotel is not bad, but i would rather travel 15 miles a day to the beach than stay in this "hotel" I can not say it more sternly, DO NOT STAY HERE!!!!!