Hotel Mar Palace Copacabana

Housed in an 11-story glass-fronted building, this casual hotel draws a mix of both Brazilian and international travelers. It's a busy place, with guests coming and going at all times. The lobby has a few cushy leather chairs where guests can hang out to talk, relax, watch TV, or have a drink from the bar. Blue and white Chinese pottery is displayed on a large open glass shelving unit that separates the lobby from the restaurant. Overall, the style is unmemorable and even a bit dated. During the week, more business guests are seen here, with tour groups, families, couples, and groups coming in on the weekends. 

This hotel is located on the busy Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana in the heart of the tourist area. It's a nine-minute walk the beach and about a five-minute walk from the nearest metro station, Siqueira Campos. Buses also stop nearby. This is the heart of Copacabana, so it is busy and -- at times -- crowded and noisy. The area is commercial and residential, filled with tourist shops, drug stores, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, banks, travel agents, and movie theaters. Sugarloaf Mountain is about a 20-minute drive away, and the Christ the Redeemer statue is about a 30-minute drive. Plan on at least 35 minutes to reach the international airport, or about an hour by public transportation. 

Rooms here are basic, with medium-toned wood floors and furniture. Beige walls lack decoration, and gray striped bedspreads top beds (though we did spot old-school bedspreads in some rooms). Amenities in all rooms include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and safes. Previous guests have noted that the air-conditioning units can be quite noisy. Rooms with two double beds or a double plus a twin are available for families and groups. Superior Rooms have more decorative wood accents plus artwork on the walls. Small tiled bathrooms feature granite countertops, bidets, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, stall showers, and toiletries. Rooms located in the front of the hotel overlook Copacabana Avenue and Serzedelo Correa Square. Rooms in the back on floors nine and higher have glimpses of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Some rooms, however, look out onto unattractive neighboring buildings. 

This hotel offers the basic features needed for a business or leisure stay in lively Rio. Marinado Restaurant serves all meals, including a free breakfast buffet with breads, fruits, and hot and cold selections. The casual space is small and windowless, with black-and-white sketches on the wall. Red seat cushions add a little color. The menu features local cuisine, and room service is available 24/7. There's also a small bar in the lobby and one on the rooftop. The rooftop terrace has a tiny pool with a bar and poolside seating. Unfortunately, there are no real views available from the pool. The adjacent fitness center is cramped, but it has a few cardio and weight training machines in front of windows that look out on the city. There's also a sauna, and a trainer leads jogging groups. The five meeting rooms aren't particularly exciting, but they can accommodate groups of up to 140 people. A computer is set up in the lobby for guests to use, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.