Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema

The rooftop bar service really needs improvement. The breakfast was very nice, and the location is great, but my late checkout request is what ruined the stay. I was traveling with a baby and asked because of my flight schedule. After a week there, the most they would allow was 1pm, and checking out at 2pm meant paying for half a day. For a 5* hotel, that was very disappointing. I definitely won't return.

The rooms were huge, stylish, and had awesome beach views, but it was the front desk team that made our stay memorable. They were warm, helpful, and friendly the whole time, and made us feel right at home. I've stayed at a couple of Sofitels around the world, and this one is my favorite. So many happy memories. I can't wait to come back to Rio and stay here again once the pandemic settles down.

The location is hard to beat, and everyone we dealt with was a real Service Ambassador: Lucas at the front desk, Estefania and Vinicius at concierge, Sabrina at the restaurant entrance, and Marcio serving in the restaurant. The price, quality, and location make this good value, and I'd stay again and recommend it. The restaurant has a beautiful view over Ipanema Beach, breakfast offers plenty of choice, and the 23rd-floor pool has lovely views along the beach. There's also a lounge open until midnight. We had a couples massage; the therapists and room were nice, though I've had better massages. The hotel recently changed from Caesar Park to Sofitel. Much of it already feels like an upscale Sofitel, especially the cozy modern lobby with lounge seating, flowers, and a lovely scent. But when we arrived at 1am, the plain white building looked like it was being renovated, had no signs, and we weren't sure it was Sofitel Ipanema. We parked and checked the address in the car for a while, and the two men inside the doors didn't come out. We booked a Superior Room, their second category. It was clean and spacious, the bed was very comfortable, and there was complimentary water and Lavin bath amenities. Still, the room felt a little tired: the lamps were crooked, the desk scratched, and much of the furniture showed wear. Nothing major, but small fixes would make a difference. The front desk told me the ocean-front rooms had been renovated, so book one of those if the room condition might bother you.

The hotel was starting renovations, so hopefully it gets back up to standard soon. From the outside, the paint was coming off and it didn't make much of an impression. The rooftop was really crowded, and the pool was tiny, more like a plunge pool since the water was only 1m deep. Still, the bedrooms were spacious and comfortable, breakfast was very good, and the location is fantastic, right across from a beautiful beach with a view of Morro dos dois irmãos.