Real Grandeza

“Great location as base for Rio Sight seeing but weekend staff speak virtually no english”

Chose hotel for price and location. Situated 10 min walk from Botafogo Metro station right next to Rue Volutraries de Patria which is a hustle bustle road with lots of shops, restaurants and buses, you couldn't ask for a better location to hop off and do sight seeing if you like spending as litt... more

Chose hotel for price and location. Situated 10 min walk from Botafogo Metro station right next to Rue Volutraries de Patria which is a hustle bustle road with lots of shops, restaurants and buses, you couldn't ask for a better location to hop off and do sight seeing if you like spending as little of your time in the hotel itself. The WiFi was good and the room spacious and clean. We checked in on a Friday night and thoughout the weekend the staff could speak no English whatsoever. Checking in was painful and despite staying in for 3 nights we didn't know till the last day that breakfast was included.

less

“Minuscule rooms”

I stayed 2 nights at this hotel as I was attending a conference at the CBC Convention Centre. The room was small, but the real problem was the minuscule toilet area, there was hardly enough room to sit on the toilet, considering the walls both sides. The television did not work the one time I swi... more

I stayed 2 nights at this hotel as I was attending a conference at the CBC Convention Centre. The room was small, but the real problem was the minuscule toilet area, there was hardly enough room to sit on the toilet, considering the walls both sides. The television did not work the one time I switched it on, but I didn't have much time to watch it anyway as I was at the conference. Breakfast basic but of good quality. The scrambled eggs, the chocolate cake and the fruit juices were the highlights. There was a good selection of breads but as I have recently had dental surgery I didn't eat any. Another thing - contrary to what I have heard elsewhere, no rooms at all have a view of the Christ. I stayed in Room 603, sufficiently high up to have a view but only the local roads and the Dona Marta Slum in the distance. Good location, bus routes less than 5 minutes away. Easy access from bus station (170 bus, Rodoviária-Gávea). The hotel has no restaurant but there are good options within 10 minutes on Conde de Irajá and adjacent streets. No minibar in the rooms, but soft drinks and water easily available from downstairs. Some people have mentioned the noise here, but I had no problem sleeping. The showers were a bit faulty, difficult to adjust hot and cold water. There is a shopping centre nearby, R$ 8 by taxi (the area around the Underground is dangerous, not walkable at night, but the street of the hotel is OK). The hotel is not near the beach, but beaches easily accessible by bus - the 154 covers Copacabana and Ipanema, while the 434 will whisk you to Leblon. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

less