Mercure Rio de Janeiro Copacabana

The hotel's biggest selling point is its superb location overlooking beautiful Copacabana Beach. From the outside, the tall glass building looks sleek and modern, with a contemporary restaurant on the ground floor that's lined with green potted hanging plants. The hotel underwent a huge renovation in 2015, with the common areas and guest rooms given a complete makeover. However, recent guests still find that things look a little shabby and worn. The lobby and restaurant are decorated with dark wood panelling and modern furniture, while navy blue soft furnishings bring a classic nautical touch to the modern decor. Since the hotel lacks leisure facilities -- there is no pool or fitness center -- guests tend to hang out at the beach during the day. The restaurant is popular in the evening, with many guests grabbing drinks and dinner before heading out. The hotel is a good value option for both business and leisure travelers, and it has a casual, laid-back atmosphere. 

The Tulip Inn is situated on Avenida Atlantica, right across the street from the picturesque Copacabana Beach in the Posto 4 area. It's a great location for tourists, and the neighborhood is lively, with plenty of bars, shops, and restaurants in the surrounding area. There is good access to public transportation, with Siqueira Campos Metro station a 10-minute walk from the hotel. A taxi rank sits right outside the entrance, and there are several bus stations along the road. Bustling Ipanema is a 20-minute walk from the hotel, and Copacabana Fort is a 25-minute walk from the beach. Both can be reached by cab as well. Many popular tourist sights are a short car ride away, such as Rio De Janeiro's famous Christ the Redeemer statue, which is about 30 minutes away in a taxi. The city's Botanical Gardens are a 20-minute drive, and the breathtaking Sugarloaf Mountain is around a 15-minute drive. Galeao International Airport is a 35-minute drive from the hotel, while Santos Dumont Airport is a 15-minute drive, depending on traffic. 

The hotel's 117 rooms are split into three categories -- double, executive, and suite. After a renovation in 2015, all rooms are minimally designed with soft-tone color schemes, dark wood laminated floors, and sleek white furniture, though a few guests have complained that some rooms are too small for two people. Additionally, wear and musty smells aren't infrequent grumbles from those who've stayed here. Front-facing rooms offer sweeping views of Copacabana Beach, and some have additional furnished balconies. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, safes, phones, and free Wi-Fi -- though there are no electric kettles or coffeemakers. Bathrooms are small and clean, with beige tiles, white countertops, vessel sinks, walk-in showers, hairdryers, and free basic toiletries. Despite the hotel's central location, rooms are surprisingly quiet, with minimal road noise from the streets below. 

Although the hotel is superbly located, it lacks leisure facilities such as a rooftop pool, which is a shame considering the stunning views it could offer. The hotel's stylish and ambient restaurant and bar, Branche, is located on the ground floor just off the lobby, and it serves contemporary Brazilian cuisine and fresh cocktails. Indoor/outdoor seating is available, so guests can take in the gorgeous beach views. A free breakfast buffet is served here, with a variety of hot and cold options. The hotel is well-equipped for business travelers, with a modern meeting room and small business center with computers and printers. Other services include a 24 hour-front desk, concierge, room service, laundry, and free Wi-Fi. Free beach towels and umbrellas are a thoughtful extra touch for guests. There is no on-site parking, but there are several parking lots in the local area.