Majestic Rio Palace Hotel

Majestic it is not. The Majestic Rio Palace Hotel is a simple, serviceable property on a quiet residential street in the Copacabana neighborhood of Rio De Janeiro. The lobby is small and plain with slate tile flooring and blonde wood walls. There is a narrow reception desk (made from the same tile as the floors), set opposite a few black and white leather couches and chairs, with no other decoration save some leafy plants and small lightbulbs dangling from the ceiling. Mirrors on the wall opposite reception make this narrow space feel larger than it is, but generally it's more for passing through than for lounging. The hotel restaurant, which serves buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch/dinner, is slightly more welcoming, with cheerful yellow walls and inlaid ceilings. The red and white tablecloths seem to reach for a fancier aesthetic than the simple restaurant actually provides, though there are a variety of options at mealtimes. Guests are mainly tourists, including Brazilians and Europeans, though some business travelers do come through, particularly during the week.  

The hotel is located on a quiet, mostly residential block about a 10-minute walk from the Copacabana Beach -- it only feels removed from the sandy fun, though isn't actually far. And while situated on a subdued street, the hotel is just a few blocks' walk from main thoroughfares, such as Rua Barata Ribeiro and Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, offering plenty of shops, restaurants, and other points of interest. The Siqueira Campos metro station is just under 10 minutes on foot, and there are plenty of bus lines in the neighborhood. Rio Galeão Airport is a 25-minute drive north.  

Rooms at the Majestic Rio Palace are simple and sparse. Styling is minimal, and bedding plain, as most rooms have white or cream textiles and blond-wood paneling, with colorful artwork here and there. Standard rooms may be a little compact, but are functional and clean, with 26-inch LCD TVs, window-unit air-conditioning (often noisy), electronic safes, and minibars. Bathrooms may look a little run down, but are generally clean, and have walk-in showers. Luxury rooms face Copacabana, and the Presidential suite is on the top floor and has its own whirlpool and sauna. Some walls are thin, and in-room Wi-Fi signals can be shaky. 

While the Majestic Rio Palace lacks bells and whistles, it does offer some solid features for a hotel of its caliber. The free buffet breakfast has a good variety of options, including fruits, breads and pastries, eggs, juice, and hot drinks. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, as well, and provides 24-hour room service. The rooftop deck and pool are rather small, but offer a pleasant place to relax, catch the sunset, and gaze out at the residential neighborhood. There are a few tables on the deck, and a poolside bar that's not currently functioning. In addition to a petite wood sauna, the hotel has a cramped fitness center with a few older machines and weights. There's a two-computer business center, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.