Arena Leme Hotel

From the street, the shiny, mirrored exterior of the Arena Leme Hotel reflects the deep blue ocean right across the street. Like the exterior suggests, everything inside the Arena Leme is also shiny and modern. The bright and stylish lobby features marble floors and upscale furnishings with geometric designs. The style manages to blend clean lines with the warm feel of neutral tones and natural materials like wood and leather.

Just beyond the front desk, a small lobby bar and elegant restaurant on the ground floor face out to the white sands of the magnificent Copacabana Beach. Though there is a parking area between the hotel and the boardwalk, you can’t get much closer to the beach than this. The laid-back, easy-going beach vibes flow right into the hotel, which feels light and breezy inside as well. Guests are a mix of couples and families, usually on a beach vacation. The Arena hotel group has three properties in Rio, including similar Ipanema and Copacabana hotels. The Leme hotel has earned an A rating for its sustainability practices, such as conserving water and energy. 

Located where the sands of Rio’s most famous beach meet the steep slopes of one of it’s dramatic rock formations, the hotel faces the ocean in the leafy neighborhood of Leme. While not a household name like it’s neighbor Copacabana, Leme has just as much beautiful beachfront and ocean views to offer. And while the crowded streets of Copacabana are bustling just a few blocks away, Leme has a quieter, more peaceful vibe. It’s ideal for travelers looking for a location with a serene atmosphere that still provides a taste of the vibrant culture of Copacabana within a short walk.

While the nearest metro station is more than a 20-minute walk away, there are bus stops close by, providing for public transit connections, and taxis are easy to find. There are a handful of restaurants and bars in the blocks surrounding the hotel, however to reach some of the city’s more happening spots, guests will have to take a taxi or a long walk. It's a 15-minute drive to the  Rio de Janeiro Airport. 

The 164 rooms at the Arena Leme feature floor-to-ceiling windows to take advantage of some amazing ocean views. Not all guests will get those famous views though -- rooms in the back of the hotel have city views. 

The rooms are decorated with panoramic photos of Rio and feature warm wood tones complemented by pops of bright blues and greens. They're all outfitted with sleek, contemporary furniture and soundproof windows. All rooms have a refrigerated minibar (fees apply) and feature modern updates like USB chargers next to the beds and flat-screen HDTVs. Sleek marble bathrooms feature stylish fixtures and rainfall shower heads. Free flip-flops are provided in some rooms.

The Standard Rooms are on the small side, but use the square footage efficiently. The hotel provides options for families and groups, including Triple Rooms with a queen bed and a single bed, and family rooms with two queen-size beds. The highest category, the Executive Suites, are located on the corners of the hotel and feature a small balcony with panoramic views. Some suites include a small living room area with a sofa and second TV.

Features at the hotel are small, but chic. The rooftop naturally has the best views of all. While the pool itself is small, there are a good number of lounge chairs on the surrounding sundeck with umbrellas for shade. There’s a bar close by serving refreshments and snacks. The small fitness room offers modern equipment and a sauna. In the lobby, there’s a small bar and a bright, elegant restaurant with ocean views. The breakfast buffet is included for all guests and features lots of fresh fruit. Room service is available 24 hours. There’s one meeting room on the 12th floor with space for up to 20 people. It includes a small balcony with ocean views. Wi-Fi is included in the room rates.