Augusto’s Copacabana Hotel

The Augusto's Copacabana Hotel --  a centrally located lower-middle-range hotel -- offers a vaguely European-inspired design theme and decor, which looks outdated. The hotel entrance features two massive Roman columns and the lobby is decorated with wrought iron and modern furniture mixed with black leather Chesterfield sofas. Side tables hold large artificial flower arrangements. The walls have Roman inspired paintings and artwork. The lobby bar is decorated with eye catching stained glass artwork. The hotel is particularly popular among South American couples, families, and business clients. 

The Augusto's Copacabana offers a convenient location just three blocks from the beach and one block from the Cantagalo metro station. It's situated along Rua Bolivar, which is a fairly quiet side street in sometimes noisy and crowded Copacabana. The neighborhood offers the full Copacabana scene: the beach, the juice bars, the kilo restaurants, movie theaters, tourist shops, and supermarkets. 

The night market along Avenida Atlantica is just three blocks away. The Copacabana Fortress area -- with excellent cafe Confeitaria Colombo is only a 15-minute walk away. Key attractions, like the Sugarloaf Mountain, can be reached by taxi in 10- to -15 minutes. The Christ the Redeemer statue is a 20-minute taxi ride away, although it can also be visited by attending a half day group tour. The financial district of Centro can be reached in 20 minutes via the safe and efficient Rio metro. Galeão International Airport is about a 30- to 40-minute drive away, but the domestic airport of Santos Dumont can normally be reached in 15 minutes.

The Augusto's Copacabana offers rooms and suites in four categories: Standard, Superior, Triple Suite, and Suite Imperial. All rooms are clean and have a simple look with light wood paneling and wood laminate floors. They come with a writing desk and some offer tiny balconies with standing room only. All rooms have a 28-inch flat-screen TV, a minibar, and a safe. The Imperial Suite looks dated, with mismatched furniture and noticeable wear and tear. Bathrooms feature granite countertops and ceramic tile floors with showers, simple toiletries, and hairdryers. Some rooms allow smoking. Expect to pay extra for Wi-Fi. 

The rooftop has a nice, but small swimming pool area with a whirlpool and Copacabana views. The poolside bar is open only during summer months. Adjacent is a spacious fitness center and a steam room. The fitness center has more space than competing hotels, but the aqua blue fitness equipment looks dirty and straight out of the '80s. The hotel includes a lobby restaurant that serves a hot buffet breakfast -- included in the room rate -- and it offers a la carte meals for lunch and dinner. 

A desktop computer and a printer on the first floor are free of charge for hotel guests, though Wi-Fi costs extra. An on-site meeting room can hold up to 80 guests. Bilingual staff at the front desk can assist with concierge requests. Beach towels are provided free for guests. The hotel offers laundry service and parking for a fee.