Hotel Ipanema Plaza

Along the beautiful Ipanema beach. Rio's historic centre is 5 miles away (or 20 minutes) and the airport is 14 miles away (or 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic).

Every Sunday, a large arts and crafts market offers all kinds of regional or other souvenirs, which are more or less authentic. It is located [(] minutes walk from the hotel, on gal Osorio beach. Located on the seafront, facing Ipanema beach, this hotel offers beach service to its clients. They have access to a tent, noticeable because it displays the name of the hotel, where they can retrieve deckchairs, parasols and beach towels for R$8 a day (or £2.5). An attendant is on site to watch over the premises. Our advice: do not sit too far away, so that you can go swim while leaving your belongings on the sand. We recommend you imitate Cariocas: bathing suit, towel, sandals... And that is all! Clients are primarily American.

The Ipanema Plaza enjoys a nice location, at a two minutes walk from the beautiful Ipanema beach, in one of Rio's upscale neighbourhoods. Guests will enjoy the numerous nearby restaurants and boutiques. Like most hotels in Rio, this hotel does not have a particularly attractive infrastructure: a 16-storey building overlooking a nice size swimming pool and a bar. However, this modern building displays a classy exterior. Which is confirmed inside, and particularly in the rooms, very spacious and well-decorated. The owner bought the building in 2001. The most recent renovations date from 2005. On the ground floor, the lobby opens onto the restaurant. On the terrace of the upper floor, a nice fitness room with a bay window over the famous Corcovado, with television, a sauna and a snack-bar (open during the day), are available to the guests. Magnificent view of the bay and in the background, the Cagaras Islands, famous for fishing.

The hotel's 140 rooms are accessed through two rather slow elevators. Hallways are wide and bright. Sea view, only for superior rooms located on the same floor. Standard rooms have a view of the mountains or nearby buildings. The rooms are very clean and bright, with simple but practical decor. A laminated dark wood floor contrasts with light-coloured walls displaying modern paintings. Abundant storage in light-coloured wood furniture. The rooms are large compared to nearby hotels (270 square feet in average); all have satellite television, a free electronic safe, individual air conditioning, a well-stocked minibar, direct international telephone, a bathroom with tub, welcome toiletries, a hair dryer. Toilets are inside the bathroom. 24 hour room service.

The restaurant offers a large, bright room with a wide bay window overlooking the lively streets nearby. Although the restaurant is thoroughly air-conditioned, it is possible to eat on the exterior patio. It is open all day long, and serves three meals: a very nice breakfast buffet and à la carte lunch and dinner. The menu offers a good variety of salads, snacks, meat and fish dishes, and Italian specialities. There are many restaurants in the neighbourhood. It is hard to become weary!

The hotel has a reserved area on the posh Ipanema beach. A nice stretch of clear, fine, and clean sand is an invitation to swim. Since the ocean can be choppy, waves could be high and the water is generally slightly cloudy. If you do not like rollers, you should go in the morning: you will have more chances to enjoy a glassy sea. Along the avenue, you will meet all kinds of ice-cream, hammock, bracelet, jewellery and souvenir vendors.