Pros

  • Excellent, safe location between Ipanema and Copacabana
  • Five-minute walk to multiple beaches, including surfer-friendly Arpoador
  • Sharp, modern rooms feature great soundproofing and blackout curtains
  • Attractive bathrooms include powerful showers (not a given in Rio)
  • Standard amenities include air-conditioning, multi-plug outlets, and flat-screen TVs
  • Free extensive breakfast buffet included in rates
  • Great rooftop terrace with pool, bar, and ocean views
  • Ground-floor cafe for coffees
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
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Cons

  • Showers flood bathroom floors a bit
  • Check-in can take a bit of time
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Bottom Line

The three-and-a-half-pearl Arena Ipanema Hotel is a real gem. It's located right between Ipanema and Copacabana, on a safe street that's within a five-minute walk of two gorgeous beaches. Interiors here are modern and fresh -- far more so than other nearby competitors -- and the rooftop pool and terrace are a highlight, with views out to the ocean. Most of the 136 rooms lack those same views, but all have a sharp style plus free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and individually controlled air-conditioning. There's a cafe on the ground floor and the generous breakfast buffet -- complete with strong coffee -- is included in standard rates. Meeting rooms and a small fitness center are also available. For something even closer to the sand, opt for the Arpoador Inn, though it's less stylish.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Arena Ipanema Hotel

Scene

Sharp, modern hotel with funky design details and a young vibe

Amid the aging hotels of Copacabana and Ipanema's bland mid-range offerings, the Arena Ipanema Hotel is an excellent, modern option with a lot to like. That starts with its relaxed location in a safe area between Copacabana and Ipanema, near Arpoador Beach. The laid-back ethos starts even before entering the hotel, as beachgoers and surfers trot up and down the street, and bike riders zip by on the bike path. Inside, funky artwork and fresh, perfumed air greets guests in the busy lobby. Travelers -- including young families, couples, and groups of friends -- occupied nearly every cluster of seating during our 2017 visit, chatting animatedly and making a lively first impression. Check-in can take a minute, but the hotel overall has a kicked-back beachy vibe that's contrasted by its edgy decor -- including metal sculptures and street-art inspired wall art in the public areas. This is a real gem in a part of town with its share of old-school properties, and guests are often drawn back time and time again.

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Location

Between Ipanema and Copacabana, near Arpoador -- a five-minute walk to multiple beaches

It's hard to find fault with this hotel's location. This is one of the safest parts of Zona Sul, between Ipanema and Copacabana, in an area some locals refer to as Copanema. The hotel sits right next to Parque Garota de Ipanema, which hosts occasional festivals and opens on to lovely Arpoador Beach (which is great for surfing). It's a five-minute walk (or less) to the sand there, to Posto 7 in Ipanema, and to Posto 6 in Copacabana. There are a number of small cafes and restaurants to the east, in Copacabana, as well as tons of beachfront snack stands in either direction. Praca General Osorio, the site of Ipanema's Sunday Hippie Fair (and ringed with bars and restaurants) is a 10-minute walk away, as is a 24-hour grocery store that's near the plaza. This is also where you'll find the closest metro station for getting to Rio's Centro. Budget around 25 minutes to reach the Centro by taxi and the same to reach the famous Christ the Redeemer Statue by car. Santos Airport -- for domestic flights -- is also a 25-minute drive away, while Galeao International will take about 45 minutes to reach depending on traffic.

See More Location

Rooms

Compact, fresh, and modern, with air-conditioning, light-blocking curtains, and great soundproofing

The rooms here are a simple affair, but all have a fresh and modern style that's perfectly at home in this contemporary property. Walnut wood tones, chic gray and tan accents, and bold statement headboards lend them their sharp look. The scents that are pumped through the vents make everything that much more appealing. Given Rio's often noisy reputation, the rooms are impeccably soundproofed, and we heard no noise from neighbors or external sources despite the hotel being quite busy during our visit. Additionally, light-blocking curtains make it easy to sleep late, which is crucial in party-hard Rio. Other features are fairly slim, and limited to air-conditioning, safes, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and outlets set up for multiple kinds of plugs (including USBs). There are no minibars and rooms lack balconies. All overlook quiet Parque Garota de Arpoador next door, but only rooms on the highest floors (and farthest from the street) will catch partial ocean views. Bathrooms are equally handsome, with brown marble details and powerful showers. Toiletries, hairdryers, beauty mirrors, and towels are provided, though the floor may get wet during a shower. 

See More Rooms

Features

Rooftop pool and terrace bar, plus free extensive breakfast buffet and ground-floor cafe

Features at this hotel are on par with most other properties in the area, though of course everything here has a nice, modern sheen. Without a doubt, the highlight is the rooftop. Up there, you'll find a small pool with poolside seating, a terrace, and a bar. Food is also available, and the menu has a fairly wide selection. Views of the ocean are spectacular and it makes a fine escape from the beach bustle down below. The hotel also puts on an extensive breakfast buffet every morning. It includes hot and cold options, plus a few local treats, as well as strong coffee and juices of all kinds. The meal is included with all standard bookings. There's also a ground-floor cafe in the lobby for coffees. In case a jog along Ipanema Beach isn't something you want to do, the hotel has a simple fitness room with a universal machine and a couple pieces of cardio equipment. A few meeting and event spaces are available as well. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and worked well during our stay. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Arena Ipanema Hotel

Scene

Sharp, modern hotel with funky design details and a young vibe

Amid the aging hotels of Copacabana and Ipanema's bland mid-range offerings, the Arena Ipanema Hotel is an excellent, modern option with a lot to like. That starts with its relaxed location in a safe area between Copacabana and Ipanema, near Arpoador Beach. The laid-back ethos starts even before entering the hotel, as beachgoers and surfers trot up and down the street, and bike riders zip by on the bike path. Inside, funky artwork and fresh, perfumed air greets guests in the busy lobby. Travelers -- including young families, couples, and groups of friends -- occupied nearly every cluster of seating during our 2017 visit, chatting animatedly and making a lively first impression. Check-in can take a minute, but the hotel overall has a kicked-back beachy vibe that's contrasted by its edgy decor -- including metal sculptures and street-art inspired wall art in the public areas. This is a real gem in a part of town with its share of old-school properties, and guests are often drawn back time and time again.

See More Scene

Location

Between Ipanema and Copacabana, near Arpoador -- a five-minute walk to multiple beaches

It's hard to find fault with this hotel's location. This is one of the safest parts of Zona Sul, between Ipanema and Copacabana, in an area some locals refer to as Copanema. The hotel sits right next to Parque Garota de Ipanema, which hosts occasional festivals and opens on to lovely Arpoador Beach (which is great for surfing). It's a five-minute walk (or less) to the sand there, to Posto 7 in Ipanema, and to Posto 6 in Copacabana. There are a number of small cafes and restaurants to the east, in Copacabana, as well as tons of beachfront snack stands in either direction. Praca General Osorio, the site of Ipanema's Sunday Hippie Fair (and ringed with bars and restaurants) is a 10-minute walk away, as is a 24-hour grocery store that's near the plaza. This is also where you'll find the closest metro station for getting to Rio's Centro. Budget around 25 minutes to reach the Centro by taxi and the same to reach the famous Christ the Redeemer Statue by car. Santos Airport -- for domestic flights -- is also a 25-minute drive away, while Galeao International will take about 45 minutes to reach depending on traffic.

See More Location

Rooms

Compact, fresh, and modern, with air-conditioning, light-blocking curtains, and great soundproofing

The rooms here are a simple affair, but all have a fresh and modern style that's perfectly at home in this contemporary property. Walnut wood tones, chic gray and tan accents, and bold statement headboards lend them their sharp look. The scents that are pumped through the vents make everything that much more appealing. Given Rio's often noisy reputation, the rooms are impeccably soundproofed, and we heard no noise from neighbors or external sources despite the hotel being quite busy during our visit. Additionally, light-blocking curtains make it easy to sleep late, which is crucial in party-hard Rio. Other features are fairly slim, and limited to air-conditioning, safes, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and outlets set up for multiple kinds of plugs (including USBs). There are no minibars and rooms lack balconies. All overlook quiet Parque Garota de Arpoador next door, but only rooms on the highest floors (and farthest from the street) will catch partial ocean views. Bathrooms are equally handsome, with brown marble details and powerful showers. Toiletries, hairdryers, beauty mirrors, and towels are provided, though the floor may get wet during a shower. 

See More Rooms

Features

Rooftop pool and terrace bar, plus free extensive breakfast buffet and ground-floor cafe

Features at this hotel are on par with most other properties in the area, though of course everything here has a nice, modern sheen. Without a doubt, the highlight is the rooftop. Up there, you'll find a small pool with poolside seating, a terrace, and a bar. Food is also available, and the menu has a fairly wide selection. Views of the ocean are spectacular and it makes a fine escape from the beach bustle down below. The hotel also puts on an extensive breakfast buffet every morning. It includes hot and cold options, plus a few local treats, as well as strong coffee and juices of all kinds. The meal is included with all standard bookings. There's also a ground-floor cafe in the lobby for coffees. In case a jog along Ipanema Beach isn't something you want to do, the hotel has a simple fitness room with a universal machine and a couple pieces of cardio equipment. A few meeting and event spaces are available as well. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and worked well during our stay. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.