Rio Othon Palace

No one except the desk personnel speaks English. Buffet breakfast was the same food everyday although the coffee was good.

Most of our experience at the Othon was really quite wonderful. The location was amazing, the view from our room was amazing, the bar staff at the roof top pool were amazing, but the staff at the concierge, front desk and bell service left a lot to be desired. The concierge could not be bothered with helping us plan our day trips, no info, no maps and we would be put aside if a tour group leader came to him. We tried to get taxis and were led to their private black car transportation. It was great to see the Christo. It really did turn out to be a bargain, but to charge us R$150 to go to Sugar loaf was outrageous. We took a regular cab and it was R$30 round trip. Its really close and transportation is easy. We used them again to go the airport. We agreed on a price with the hotel staff and driver to make one stop and go to the airport. We know what was discussed because a member of our party speaks fluent Portuguese and was part of the discussion with both the hotel staff and the driver. When we arrived at the airport the driver tried to charge us an additional R$50. That is an additional $25USD. Outrageous. We felt as if this service was just trying to extort money from tourists, above what was fare prices. A regular taxi to the airport is R$60 and we were already paying R$ 100 for the extra stop and ease of their highly recommended (pushed) cars. Just be wary, and negotiate all payments with all parties before agreeing to anything. Know your area, because their service isn't really set up to help you.

Even after I complained that nowhere in the room or hotel do they speak of the extortion local phone rates. This is a call from my room to a local number in Rio. After complaining to the Manager who agreed it was not posted anywhere they gave me 20% off. I will never go back to this hotel again. BP

Overall, really enjoyed the hotel. The staff was excellent and dealt with my very grumpy travelling companion quite well. The front desk area is a little confusing with regards as to which line you check-in at & which you check-out at, so try not to get frustrated. We had a standard room with 2 twin beds with an ocean view on the 19th floor. Room was small but nicely refurnished, bathroom was nice with good water pressure in the shower and the view was unbelievable! Breakfast was good, lots of fruit, breads and the standard eggs & potatoes. WIFI is available but it costs $30 Real per day ($15 US) for each gadget you use it on- so if you want to use the WIFI on your phone & laptop its $60 Real/day. Lots of security throughout the hotel and the police are outside pretty much all day long- feels very safe. Beach chairs & umbrellas are free through the hotel across the street. They have a limited number so if you get there and they're out just wait and when some open up the attendants will find you. I saw quite a few bad reviews for this hotel, I'm not sure what they expected but I thought this hotel was great. Clean, nicely redone, great location, wonderful staff. After checking out a couple of the other hotels along Ave. Atlantica, I don't think I'd want to stay somewhere else if I came back to Copacabana.

Very busy hotel, but well located. Be sure to ask for a remodeled room. Somewhat expensive hotel, but so is Brazil for an American.

The hotel looked nice from outside. And the entrance was impressive. The room was ok until I sat on the bed. The bed and pillows were very uncomfortable. The bed sheets looked very old and yellow. The balcony door didn't close properly or there were cracks, the curtain kept moving when the wind blew outside. The toilet flush didn't work; I had to press 10 times to manage to flush. They charge 20 Real for the gym; this is the first time I saw a hotel is charging for the gym. The staff was friendly and helpful. Pretty much everybody spoke English. Overall the hotel and room were clean. But certain things need renovation. The location is great.

The location of the hotel was perfect, rigth in the middle of all Copacabana, facing the Ocean. Short walk away from Ipanema and other beaches in Rio. The staff were very helpful and friendly, from our first day to the day we left. We had a room on the 27th Floor facing Sugar Loaf Mountain, which was amazing. The room service was very good and efficient. The security was excellent. The hotel offers excursions, but should you wish to use the local transport system for you excursions, they were very helpful. The concierge spoke good english and provided us with any information we needed, for shoping, public transport, nightlife etc. We would definately stay in this hotel again, and would highly recommend it.

We had a wonderful view of Copacabana beach from the hotel. The lounges provided for hotel guests at the beach were much appreciated. The breakfast room was immaculate and the buffet choices were excellent. We enjoyed the cozy bar adjacent to the lobby for a nightcap. The front desk staff were efficient and helpful

We spent the extra dough for the ocean front and it was fabulous! The professional staff was great! The room was so so. Hot water was gone for a few hours and it was hard to get a straight answer as to why or when it would be restored. Watch out for wifi! They charge a daily arm and a leg for it. $20 US I think. Concierge was absolute TOPS! Location is a-ok too. Local service businesses surround the hotel including a fair currency exchange. Would we go back? The cost is pretty high and except for the view,concierge and location the hotel was average. Maybe so, maybe not.

Upon reaching the Rio Othon Palace Hotel, our check-in manager was not friendly and just handed over the keys to a room, slam bang next to the elevator and a low floor, even though our booking specified a higher floor, non-smoking, kingbed room away from elevators. We looked at our room with 2 twin beds and came back to the lobby requesting a change. A different check-in manager was equally unfriendly and only upon asking to speak to the manager, did we finally get a room on the 15th floor with a kingbed and partial oceanview. We thought we were getting a oceanview room when we made the booking and had to settle for less!!!