Pros

  • Conveniently located in a walkable neighborhood near the Catete metro station
  • Clean and comfortable rooms with a large LCD-TV and stocked minibar
  • Hot buffet breakfast included in the room rate
  • Rooftop swimming pool and bar with Christ the Redeemer views
  • On-site restaurant and lobby bar
  • Modern fitness center
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
  • Free parking and free shuttle-bus service from the hotel to the domestic airport (three times a day)
  • 15 meeting rooms across the street
  • Spacious and stylish lobby set with a leather Chesterfield sofa
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Cons

  • A bit far from the beach scene of Rio de Janeiro
  • Some rooms are a bit cramped
  • Wi-Fi can be spotty
  • No balconies in the rooms
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Bottom Line

The Windsor Florida Hotel is located in the mostly residential area of Catete. The neighborhood feels more authentically Brazilian with good local restaurants, bars, and parks than the touristy South Zone (Copacabana and Ipanema). This mid-range hotel underwent a renovation in 2014 and now offers stylish public areas, a good restaurant, and 216 clean and comfortable rooms with large flat-screen TVs. The free fitness center, free breakfast buffet, and a rooftop swimming pool and bar are nice perks. A majority of the guests are Brazilian business clients (particularly oil companies), in town to attend meetings. For those who want to visit the beach, try the Golden Tulip Regente but remember that everything costs more closer to the sand.

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Windsor Florida Hotel

Scene

Modern hotel renovated in 2014

The Windsor Florida Hotel underwent a complete renovation in 2014 and the result was a major upgrade inside and out. The multistory white and reflective facade looks modern and fresh. Inside, the lobby has contemporary furniture like a black leather Chesterfield sofa, Persian-style area rug, and crystal chandeliers. The lobby bar is adjacent to the reception area and includes bar counter and table seating. The overall vibe is formal but comfortable, which appeals to the many Brazilian business travelers that frequent the hotel. A good selection of meeting rooms is located in a separate Colonial style building across the street.

See More Scene

Location

In casual Catete -- with access to beaches via metro

Catete is a casual, busy, and very Carioca (local) district of Rio near the Catete metro station, and business district of Centro. It may not be the first choice for a foreign tourist, but it certainly offers some perks. The area has an interesting history, sights to check out, Parque do Catete, and a thriving dining scene. The Catete Palace, former home of the Baron of Novo Friburgo, and later the official residence of the President of Brazil is a few blocks away. Key sights of Rio de Janeiro, like the Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer statue can be reached in 15 to 20 minutes by a taxi. Galeão International Airport is a 40-minute drive and the domestic airport of Santos Dumont can be reached in 10 to 15 minutes. With a 20-minute metro ride to the beach scene in the South Zone, the Windsdor Florida doesn't have the most convenient location for beachgoers. The hotel offers free parking and it has a free (three times a day) shuttle bus to the domestic airport of Santos Dumont.

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Rooms

Renovated clean and comfortable rooms -- the most affordable options are a bit cramped

There are over 200 rooms at the Windsor Florida Hotel and each was fully renovated in 2014 with an end result of practical but plain rooms in three different categories: Standard, Superior, and Superior Executive. The decor includes light laminate wood floors, wall panels, and furniture. Orange floral curtains and a bit of wall art add some much needed color to the space. Minibars, safes, writing desks, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, and writing desks are standard. The bathrooms are a good size (for Rio standards) and feature granite floors and countertops, showers or bathtubs, and simple toiletries. Most bathrooms have a hairdryer. The Superior Executive Rooms seem to offer the best space, views, and value for money while the Standard and Superior Rooms are a bit cramped and overlook the back of neighboring buildings. One floor is dedicated to smoking rooms.

See More Rooms

Features

Rooftop swimming pool, free breakfast buffet, and two bars

The Windsor Florida offers nice features for a mid-range hotel. Along with freebies like Wi-Fi, airport shuttle, and an expansive hot breakfast buffet there are luxe perks like 24-hour room service and a modern fitness center. TheBabuska restaurant serves buffet or a la carte meals for lunch and dinner. Drinks are served in the lobby bar or upstairs at the rooftop pool bar. The plunge-style pool has amazing views of the Colonial style buildings in the neighborhood and Christ the Redeemer statue in the distance. 

The hotel has a comprehensive conference center with 15 meeting room located in a historic Colonial building across the street. Wi-Fi is provided for free throughout the hotel, although some guests have complained about the occasionally poor signal. Staff can assist with concierge duties for city tours, samba shows, or tickets to local football games at the Maracanã stadium. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Windsor Florida Hotel

Scene

Modern hotel renovated in 2014

The Windsor Florida Hotel underwent a complete renovation in 2014 and the result was a major upgrade inside and out. The multistory white and reflective facade looks modern and fresh. Inside, the lobby has contemporary furniture like a black leather Chesterfield sofa, Persian-style area rug, and crystal chandeliers. The lobby bar is adjacent to the reception area and includes bar counter and table seating. The overall vibe is formal but comfortable, which appeals to the many Brazilian business travelers that frequent the hotel. A good selection of meeting rooms is located in a separate Colonial style building across the street.

See More Scene

Location

In casual Catete -- with access to beaches via metro

Catete is a casual, busy, and very Carioca (local) district of Rio near the Catete metro station, and business district of Centro. It may not be the first choice for a foreign tourist, but it certainly offers some perks. The area has an interesting history, sights to check out, Parque do Catete, and a thriving dining scene. The Catete Palace, former home of the Baron of Novo Friburgo, and later the official residence of the President of Brazil is a few blocks away. Key sights of Rio de Janeiro, like the Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer statue can be reached in 15 to 20 minutes by a taxi. Galeão International Airport is a 40-minute drive and the domestic airport of Santos Dumont can be reached in 10 to 15 minutes. With a 20-minute metro ride to the beach scene in the South Zone, the Windsdor Florida doesn't have the most convenient location for beachgoers. The hotel offers free parking and it has a free (three times a day) shuttle bus to the domestic airport of Santos Dumont.

See More Location

Rooms

Renovated clean and comfortable rooms -- the most affordable options are a bit cramped

There are over 200 rooms at the Windsor Florida Hotel and each was fully renovated in 2014 with an end result of practical but plain rooms in three different categories: Standard, Superior, and Superior Executive. The decor includes light laminate wood floors, wall panels, and furniture. Orange floral curtains and a bit of wall art add some much needed color to the space. Minibars, safes, writing desks, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, and writing desks are standard. The bathrooms are a good size (for Rio standards) and feature granite floors and countertops, showers or bathtubs, and simple toiletries. Most bathrooms have a hairdryer. The Superior Executive Rooms seem to offer the best space, views, and value for money while the Standard and Superior Rooms are a bit cramped and overlook the back of neighboring buildings. One floor is dedicated to smoking rooms.

See More Rooms

Features

Rooftop swimming pool, free breakfast buffet, and two bars

The Windsor Florida offers nice features for a mid-range hotel. Along with freebies like Wi-Fi, airport shuttle, and an expansive hot breakfast buffet there are luxe perks like 24-hour room service and a modern fitness center. TheBabuska restaurant serves buffet or a la carte meals for lunch and dinner. Drinks are served in the lobby bar or upstairs at the rooftop pool bar. The plunge-style pool has amazing views of the Colonial style buildings in the neighborhood and Christ the Redeemer statue in the distance. 

The hotel has a comprehensive conference center with 15 meeting room located in a historic Colonial building across the street. Wi-Fi is provided for free throughout the hotel, although some guests have complained about the occasionally poor signal. Staff can assist with concierge duties for city tours, samba shows, or tickets to local football games at the Maracanã stadium. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • 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.