Sheraton Barra Suites

The hotel is great. It really is. It's beautiful and expensive... The thing is that it's in Barra. My friend came to visit me and had miles she could use for a free night in the Barra Sheraton so we did (I've been living here, in Laranjeiras, for almost a year). You know, it's far from everything except the beach and stuff in Barra. You have to take a cab everywhere but the beach. This is NOT the best location as people are saying... unless you want to spend half your money on taxis. It's not too much but R$35 or so to get into Ipanema will start adding up. It's a great place if you don't mind not really seeing Rio or experiences how things really are. Barra is nice but a different place. It's not Rio, it's Barra.

Unique Quality: Pool, bar, great view, comfy bed! Nice hotel. Keep in mind that the Capirinhas are about R$13 each.

We stayed there for the first weekend as we wanted some sun and did not plant to go into the city and this place was a little cheaper than the hotels in ipanema or copacabana and it was brand new. We were not disappointed as our 8th story room had a great view(see photo). The hotel has two towers one for residences and the other a hotel. the staff is very attentive and speaks english. The beach outside is not as crowded or as polluted as those in the city though be careful it is not competely clean as this is a very crowded area. They do not call it the miami of rio for nothing. To get there we took the real tourism bus from the airport and a taxi from barra shopping. If the bus will stop at barra downtown this is a little closer. Otherwise be prepared to pay 70 to 80 reias for a taxi from the airport as it cost 50 for us to get to novo rio bus station for our trip sourth to Ilha grande. if you plans do not include going into the city this is a great hotel to spend a couple days and enjoy the sun and fun of brazil. has ample business center if a business meeting is your reason for coming also.

Unique Quality: Brand new with excellend pool area with overpriced drinks and an okay jacuzzi(one of those large concrete jobs with a single circle of jets. Did not try out the small spa-sauna or the breakfast(overpriced at 35 reias. Go next door to the bakery to get a cafezinho(small coffee) and pastry.

Directions: On the beach in Barra da Tijuca

If you had to stay in Rio...this would be the place to stay at an decent rate. Away from the crowds of Copacabana and the working ladies !!!! It's makes it an idea place to stay !!!! Rooms and security are great. Expect to pay about $200 US a night

Unique Quality: location !!!! Oceanfront !!!!

Like much of Barra da Tijuca, the Sheraton is a high-rise hotel with 15 floors. All rooms have a view of the beach and the lower the number on each floor...e.g. X01, X02, X03, etc... have the better views as the hotel runs perpendicular to the oceanfront.
The hotel is new and very modern but is lacking in character. The bar is quiet, the restaurant is good (but nothing special for Rio) and there is no hotel shop...for those essentials, magazines, books, toothpaste.
It really is a long way from the main sights of Rio, but the beach outside is very, very good and much quieter than at Ipanema or Copacabana.

Unique Quality: The rooms are very large and very comfortable, and very 'fresh'. Oddly enough, there is no bath, just a shower - but the shower was excellent.
The hotel has a pool but it is hemmed in by the tower blocks of the hotel/apartments and not a great deal of fun: it's all concrete and glass around.
It takes an hour to get to GIG airport from here. (R100 in a taxi)

Since we were having a friend's company during the weekend, we decided to book a hotel near our friend's, and this one was really a great experience.
Well located in front of the Barra da Tijuca beach, a mid/high-class neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, the hotel offers all amenities one could imagine in addition to a very welcoming staff.

Unique Quality: Every room has its beach view balcony, since the building is V-shaped.
International breakfast in a nice restaurant, located in front part of the hotel with beach view. Staff was really friendly and welcoming, letting you feel indeed home.
It is also near the various shopping malls and most restaurants in Barra da Tijuca and has easy access to the southbounds of Rio, where tourists can start visiting the Sugar Loaf, for instance.
If you plan for your weekend/week beach and good restaurants with some tourist getaways as well, this is a good choice.

Directions: The hotel is located in front of the Barra da Tijuca beach.