Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro

The hotel felt calm and peaceful, and the bathroom amenities were excellent quality with lots of attention to detail. Breakfast was one of the richest and tastiest we've ever had, with plenty of fresh, delicious choices. The location was so convenient, just a minute from the beach. We had a wonderful stay. Well done Hyatt!

From check-in through the waitstaff, spa, and housekeeping, the staff were gracious, professional, attentive, and friendly. The rooms were beautiful, and the large outdoor pool was kept at just the right temperature. Attentive waitstaff brought food and drinks poolside. The location is ideal, right across from the beach and near restaurants and shopping. Affordable Uber rides made getting around easy. In our group of seven, more than one person said, “Everything is perfect. I never want to leave.” It was a truly relaxing stay. A big thank you to the staff, who make all their hard work look effortless. The gym was top tier, with a gorgeous large steam room and dry saunas included with the stay.

The rooms were modern and nice, though a little small for my taste. I understand the capacity limits for guest stays. My only complaint is the service, both in the room and poolside, which wasn't very timely. The workers, from bartenders to waiters, were extremely pleasant, but our food orders took a long time. Alec (sp), the bell hop, was a highlight. He took our luggage to the room, gave us local recommendations, and offered water before our hot tours. He was really attentive.

That beach is gorgeous, but this spot is around 45 minutes from Rio’s main tourist areas, so it really suits a laid-back beach break. The gym is spacious and has plenty of equipment, though the treadmills are old and towels aren’t always there. Pool areas also cost extra, even for hotel guests. Breakfast has lots of options, but I didn’t find it very tasty. Housekeeping came once a day, fairly late, and the cleaning was basic. There was very little soap and not many towels, so I had to ask for more. They wouldn’t let me check out at 4 PM, even for an extra fee. They said the hotel was full, although Booking showed availability. This didn’t feel like the five-star service I’m used to in Europe and the Far East. I wouldn’t come back.