BEST WESTERN PLUS Sol Ipanema Hotel

The oceanfront Ipanema Beach location of the hotel is excellent. I would stay here again. It could take you up to 60-90 minutes to get to/from Galeao (GIG) airport in traffic (but it only took me 45 minutes on the return). Transportation to/from the hotel by taxi will cost ~60 - 70 Brazilian Reals. When landing at Galeao, I do NOT recommend buying the taxi services offered just as you exit customs and immigration. It will be cheaper to get a cab at the airport terminal curb. The only reason to take one of the taxi services as you exit customs is IF you prefer to pay by credit card in advance. Tipping cab drivers is not necessary, though typically you simply round up the amount to the nearest whole Real and don't get change. If paying by cash, it is helpful to have smaller bills (2- and 5-Real notes), as many cabbies don't carry enough small change. Upon arrival at the hotel, and throughout my stay, II found the staff service to be friendly, the free breakfast buffet very filling and adequate (with a good selection of hot and cold offerings), and the rooms to be modern looking, clean, and the beds comfortable. Ipanema and the adjacent Leblon neighborhoods are some of the safest (but not 100% safe, especially at night) neighborhoods in Brazil. There are great restaurants in each neighborhood, with Leblon being a little more upscale (but not to the point of being dressy). Copacabana Beach (world-famous, but not as nice an area as Ipanema and Leblon) is also close by, and during the day, it is walkable (about 2-3km or 1-2 miles one way walking distance). A taxi to the train at the base of Corcovado / statue of Cristo Redentor will cost up to 30 reals, usually less for a solo traveler. Travel time can be up to 30 minutes in heavy traffic (but is not far from the hotel). Similarly, it will cost ~30 Real to get to the cable cars that take you up to Sugar Loaf Mountain. The only people I would not recommend this hotel to are those who have business in the Financial / Business District - the distance is too inconvenient. Finally, while there is free wi-fi in the hotel, I found it worth it to pay the 30 Reals/day to get faster connection speeds.