Hotel Bandeirantes

A nondescript, white high-rise, the Bandeirantes makes little impression from the outside aside from its green-lettered sign topped with three international flags. Past a sliding door etched with the hotel's name, a short flight of steps leads guests to the front desk and lobby. Blonde-wood wall panels, linoleum floors, and black leather club chairs give it a corporate feel. But fake flowers, plastic blinds, and cheesy artwork cheapen the look. The decor is an odd mix with faux-Grecian statues sitting next to bright-blue, '80s-style leather couches. Two narrow elevators lead to the guest rooms and other public spaces. The restaurant has a similar look as the lobby, with navy chairs, linoleum floors, blonde-wood furnishings, and gaudy artwork. But this decor may be revamped as the hotel is slated for a major renovation in 2015. The property is frequented by business travelers and tourist both domestic and foreign. 

Set along the busy Barata Ribeiro street, the Bandeirantes gets its share of noise on weekdays with buses and taxes speeding by. (Part of the planned 2015 renovation is installing sound-proof windows.) But noise issues aside, the location is wonderfully central. The metro station is just two blocks away, and both the Barata Ribeiro Street and the next parallel street are major city bus routes. The beach is just three blocks away. The location is also close to Rio de Janeiro's major tourist attractions. Sugarloaf Mountain is about 15 minutes away by taxi, and Christ the Redeemer can be reached in about 30 minutes. The beautiful and tranquil Botanical Gardens is about a 20-minute drive. Galeao International Airport is a 35- to 40-minute drive away; the airport bus, which stops three blocks away, takes 60 to 70 minutes to reach Galeao. 

Guest rooms at the Bandeirantes vary in color; some are painted a vivid orange, others a soft celeste blue.  Linoleum floors, platform beds, and wood trim and furnishings (some a bit scratched) give the basics. Striped bedding, framed prints, and sconce lighting give a few decorative touches to the dated decor. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, safes, writing desks, ancient air-conditioners, and minibars. Wi-Fi is available for a fee, but guests have complained about a spotty signal. The small bathrooms need renovating the most: They suffer from dingy tile and rusty fixtures. They're outfitted with basic toiletries, wall-mounted hairdryers, bidets, and shower stalls. Rooms come in three categories: Standard, Deluxe, and Suite. Suites have updated bathrooms with fresh blue tiles, double vanity vessel sinks, and a shower/tub combo with jets. They're also more spacious and include DVD players. As with the rest of the hotel, a renovation slated for 2015 could update the decor and amenities. Rooms don't include balconies, but windows look out onto Copacabana views.

A free hot buffet breakfast is served in the hotel's on-site restaurant with a good selection of fruits, cold cuts, eggs, sausages, and Brazilian sweets. A la carte lunch and dinner are also served. Room service is available from morning until late evening, but stops service at night. The small, narrow rooftop pool is just big enough for a cooling dip, but it does offer Christ the Redeemer views from the water or a handful of plastic loungers. Next door is a petite fitness center with just two treadmills, two exercise bikes, and a flat-screen TV. There's also a tiny, blue-and-white-tiled steam room here.Laundry service is available on request, and free towels are on hand for beachgoers. The hotel parking and Wi-Fi are available for a fee.