Pros

  • Fresh and elegant Deluxe Rooms with microwaves, sinks, and mini-refrigerators
  • Most rooms have balconies with nice views of the distance ocean
  • Breakfast buffet included in the room rate
  • Free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout
  • Large, swimming pools with terrace and swim-up bar
  • Two-story fitness center and a sauna
  • Free parking for hotel guests
  • Free shuttle-bus service to downtown Barra da Tijuca
  • Large conference and meeting room facilities
  • 24-hour room service
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Cons

  • Isolated location; far from key tourist sites and airports
  • Tiny bathrooms
  • Standard Rooms don't have kitchenettes
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Bottom Line

This four-pearl business hotel is located in a residential area in Barra da Tijuca that's closer to office parks than the beachElegant, Deluxe Rooms include kitchenettes and most have balconies with distant ocean views. There's a tropically landscaped swimming pool with a swim-up bar, two-story fitness center, and contemporary lobby bar. The restaurant serves a free breakfast buffet and a la carte lunch and dinner. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. This is a good pick for business travelers, but those who want fast access to the beach and restaurants should try Royal Rio Palace Hotel. 

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Transamerica Prime Barra

Scene

Multistory tower hotel with a contemporary lobby

This comfortable and stylish hotel is mainly used by business travelers and has a corporate contemporary vibe and look. During peak seasons -- like New Year and Carnival -- it also caters to tourists. The lobby atrium features beige and black marble floors and is set with rattan armchairs and leather sofas. White plaster artwork depicting human figures hangs over the reception desk. Large windows opening to the front garden and a high ceiling give an airy and bright look. The lobby bar is decorated with enormous bright paintings and white orchids. Outside, the tall tower facade looks clean and fresh. Guests enter the lobby underneath a glass dome. 

See More Scene

Location

Safe residential neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca

The hotel is located in a quiet and lushly green residential area in Barra da Tijuca that's mainly dedicated to high-rise condominiums and office parks; safe for walking. The nearest beach is about a 15-minute walk from the Transamerica Prime Barra. The closest shopping malls with restaurants, movie theaters, and luxury boutiques are about 10- to 15-minutes walking distance away. The largest mall in the area, Barra Shopping, can be reached by taxi in 15- to 20-minutes. Expect longer drives for Copacabana (30-minutes) and over an hour to Galeão International Airport, depending on traffic. Parking at the hotel is free, and there's a free shuttle bus that takes passengers to nearby areas in Barra da Tijuca. 

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Rooms

Elegant rooms with (some) kitchenettes and (some) balconies

There are 319 rooms -- most with furnished balconies -- that come in two categories: Standard and Deluxe. Both rooms are available with double or twin beds. All are stylish, air-conditioned, and clean, with wood laminate floors and gray fabrics. Black and white photos of Rio de Janeiro, modern chrome chairs, and white lampshades add a contemporary touch to the decor. All rooms feature a writing desk, a minibar, safe, a 24-inch flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and an iron with a board. Deluxe Rooms have a kitchenette, along with a sofa, coffeemakers, cups, and cutlery. 

Bathrooms, particularly shower-areas, are quite tiny. They feature granite counter-tops and basic toiletries. All bathrooms are equipped with hairdryers. Some of the rooms offer distant ocean views that include Barra da Tijuca and surrounding mountains.

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Features

Swimming pools with a swim-up bar, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi

There are some relaxing and convenient perks at the Transamerica Prime Barra. A free breakfast buffet is served each morning, along with a la carte lunches and dinners at Giotto Restaurant. There's a lobby bar for cocktails, snacks, and wine, and 24-hour room service. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout. 

A tropically landscaped outdoor pool area has two medium-size pools and a swim-up bar. There are ample tables and chairs on the sun deck. The gym is two-stories and includes a wide variety of cardio machines and weights. A sauna is an added perk. 

Meeting rooms of various sizes can host events -- meetings, conferences, and cocktails -- for up to 320 guests. The hotel also offers a business center. The hotel provides laundry service for a fee. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Transamerica Prime Barra

Scene

Multistory tower hotel with a contemporary lobby

This comfortable and stylish hotel is mainly used by business travelers and has a corporate contemporary vibe and look. During peak seasons -- like New Year and Carnival -- it also caters to tourists. The lobby atrium features beige and black marble floors and is set with rattan armchairs and leather sofas. White plaster artwork depicting human figures hangs over the reception desk. Large windows opening to the front garden and a high ceiling give an airy and bright look. The lobby bar is decorated with enormous bright paintings and white orchids. Outside, the tall tower facade looks clean and fresh. Guests enter the lobby underneath a glass dome. 

See More Scene

Location

Safe residential neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca

The hotel is located in a quiet and lushly green residential area in Barra da Tijuca that's mainly dedicated to high-rise condominiums and office parks; safe for walking. The nearest beach is about a 15-minute walk from the Transamerica Prime Barra. The closest shopping malls with restaurants, movie theaters, and luxury boutiques are about 10- to 15-minutes walking distance away. The largest mall in the area, Barra Shopping, can be reached by taxi in 15- to 20-minutes. Expect longer drives for Copacabana (30-minutes) and over an hour to Galeão International Airport, depending on traffic. Parking at the hotel is free, and there's a free shuttle bus that takes passengers to nearby areas in Barra da Tijuca. 

See More Location

Rooms

Elegant rooms with (some) kitchenettes and (some) balconies

There are 319 rooms -- most with furnished balconies -- that come in two categories: Standard and Deluxe. Both rooms are available with double or twin beds. All are stylish, air-conditioned, and clean, with wood laminate floors and gray fabrics. Black and white photos of Rio de Janeiro, modern chrome chairs, and white lampshades add a contemporary touch to the decor. All rooms feature a writing desk, a minibar, safe, a 24-inch flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and an iron with a board. Deluxe Rooms have a kitchenette, along with a sofa, coffeemakers, cups, and cutlery. 

Bathrooms, particularly shower-areas, are quite tiny. They feature granite counter-tops and basic toiletries. All bathrooms are equipped with hairdryers. Some of the rooms offer distant ocean views that include Barra da Tijuca and surrounding mountains.

See More Rooms

Features

Swimming pools with a swim-up bar, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi

There are some relaxing and convenient perks at the Transamerica Prime Barra. A free breakfast buffet is served each morning, along with a la carte lunches and dinners at Giotto Restaurant. There's a lobby bar for cocktails, snacks, and wine, and 24-hour room service. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout. 

A tropically landscaped outdoor pool area has two medium-size pools and a swim-up bar. There are ample tables and chairs on the sun deck. The gym is two-stories and includes a wide variety of cardio machines and weights. A sauna is an added perk. 

Meeting rooms of various sizes can host events -- meetings, conferences, and cocktails -- for up to 320 guests. The hotel also offers a business center. The hotel provides laundry service for a fee. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cable

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.