Orla Copacabana Hotel

The Orla is housed in a 13-floor modern building in the Posto 5 area of Copacabana. Guests enter to a contemporary lobby with tan-colored mid-century sofas, modern art and pottery, flower arrangements, and purple walls behind the front desk. It's a convivial place to converse and sip drinks from the lobby bar, though the hotel's highlight may be its rooftop plunge pool with waterfall feature. The adjacent deck has potted palm trees, white tables, lounge chairs and umbrellas, and features superb views of the beach, ocean, and Sugarloaf and surrounding mountains. Guests can head across the street to the lively scene at the beach, which can sometimes get crowded. The hotel has a relaxed and casual feel, and most guests are domestic and international tourists, especially during the weekends and warmer months. 

Orla Copacabana Hotel is situated across Avenida Atlanica from the beach at the southern end of Copacabana. The Posto 5 area is considered one of the best parts of Copacabana; it's both residential and commercial, and the beach here will be the beach volleyball venue during the 2016 Olympics. Several restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, pharmacies and banks are in the vicinity as well. Copacabana Fort and the Museum of the History of the Army are a two-minute walk away, while it takes less than 10 minutes to walk to Arpoador, which is great for iconic sunset views, and General Osorio Metro station. Ipanema -- famous for its beach, nightlife, and dining -- is 12 minutes away on foot. The Orla is a 10-minute drive from Praia Vermelha beach and the funicular up to Sugarloaf Mountain. THe Centro, which is home to the National History Museum, Rio Art Museum, and the Imperial Palace, is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Maracana Stadium, legendary home to the Flamengo and Fluminense soccer clubs, is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, while the Christ the Redeemer statue is a 25-minute drive from the hotel. Drives to the hotel from Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport should take 30 minutes, but times can vary wildly in Rio depending on traffic.

The 115 all non-smoking rooms at Orla Copacabana Hotel come in Standard, Superior, Deluxe, and Master Suite categories. These are not luxury digs by any stretch of the imagination, but the straightforward look is perfectly suitable for guests who only need a reliably comfy place to rest at night. Decor includes laminate wood floors, largely bare white walls, dark-wood furniture and a neutral color palette of white, beige, and brown. Some rooms are a little small, with small bathrooms, but all are clean and well maintained, and get good natural light -- plus several have ocean views. Thin walls mean noise from neighbors may be audible, and we did spot a bit of wear on dark wood veneer furniture. All rooms have desks, safes, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with cable and English channels, but there are no coffeemakers. Free Wi-Fi is available in rooms for basic surfing, though heavy users can upgrade for a nominal daily fee. Bathrooms are clean and well lighted, with ample counter space, hairdryers, and makeup mirrors. Most have walk-in showers, though a few have jetted tubs.

Orla Copacabana Hotel offers a wide selection of on-site features for a mid-range property in the Copacabana area. The hotel serves a free breakfast buffet that includes scrambled eggs, sausage, Brazilian bacon, crepes, fruit, cheeses, cold cuts, cereals, pastries, dark Brazilian coffee, and juices. For lunch and dinner the restaurant serves international cuisine and Brazilian favorites like traditional feijoada stew. The hotel also has room service and a lobby bar. The rooftop plunge pool is a little small for a genuine swim, but it's a good place for guests to refresh on a warm day. A poolside bar is open occasionally and guests can also order drinks to their lounge chair from the restaurant's bar. The deck offers sweeping views of the beach, ocean, and mountains. That same view is on offer from the fitness center, featuring two treadmills, an exercise bike, some free weights, and a weight machine. A sauna is adjacent. The beach across the street has chairs, umbrellas, and stand-up paddleboards for rent. The hotel also has a computer station, meeting rooms, 24-hour front desk, and concierge service. There is no on-site parking, but public parking is available nearby for a fee. Wi-Fi is free in all public areas except for the pool.