Golden Tulip Ipanema Plaza  

We wanted a place on Ipanema Beach. While this was a block off, it still had beach vibe, outdoor breakfast, sandals in the lobby, etc. For a larger hotel it had the interesting feel of a small place on Miami Beach, even down to some Art Deco touches.

I sent one e-mail and two follow ups asking for help making dining reservations and never received any response. The girl at the front desk made them for me but put the confirmations in a place only she could find, so we had no idea if they had even been made after I requested them in person. We could not get the computers in the nominal business center to work but no one would leave the desk to provide assistance. The man who hailed taxis found us a private car (who happened to be hanging around) to give us a ride to our dinner reservation that was probably 1/2 again as much as it should have cost and only after we balked did he try to get a more reasonable fare. We had only one good experience with the service staff--a young man at the front desk who handled our bill at check out. As more hotels spring up in advance of the Olympics, this place better improve service or they will lose market share fast.

Great staff and great location.

Friendliness of staff. Clean comfortable room. Good breakfast Excellent restaurant. Although not overlooking the beach, the location was very good.

Room on 17th floor was immediately below the rooftop pool, gym and coffee shop. Can be noisy first thing in the morning with people sliding metal chairs about. On second night there was a lot of noise of water running, don't know if this was the pool fitration unit or a fault in the air con. Like so many hotels, was very difficult to set the air con at a temperature that suited.

Plenty of bars and restaurants within easy walking instance of the hotel. The rooftop pool was great and the hotel was comfortable. Our room was a superior luxury room and it was just ok -

As with most of the hotels in Rio I have encountered they try to overcharge for drinks. When you challenge this they look at the menu and feign sorrow for their mistake (which coincidently is always in their favour) and correct. Also if you order a bottle of wine make sure it is the one you ordered and not a higher priced one, as you will not get the benefit of their 'mistake' you will be charged for the more expensive wine! Be warned and check you have got what your ordered and have paid the correct price!!

Just location

Expensive for what it was, old bathroons, pictures better than reality.

It was clean and huge rooms.

Staff not very helpful. Did not speak english at all. Booked one double and one twin room ended up with two twin rooms. Room service took one and half hours to bring tea to the room first day. It took so long and 3 calls but no tea next day gave up altogether.

Unfriendly staff who never answer the phones. Poor gym equipment. Horrible breakfast buffet. Unclean pool.

Seasoned fun-timer to Rio (10 stays over 30 yrs). Great prior stays at Arpoador Inn, Ipanema Inn, Casear Park, Mars & Intercontinental. Ipanema Plaza (drop "Golden Tuplip" for taxi drivers) was the absolute best hotel & value I've ever experienced! Outstanding views from all rooms of the Christ the Redeemer Statute: get a room facing the side street and have a beach view too! Luxurious bedding, very spacious, bring two-prong converter-they have the power box, great rooftop pool, sauna, steamroom, exercise (small) & 360 degree view of everything. Book a full night of your last day--all flights leave after 9 pm (They ended up not charging me for it). Can check in for free before 3pm if the room is ready. 9Th floor is a smoking floor only. First day go to CitiBank to get all your $50 Reals to twos, fives, tens and twenties. You don't need to leave the street because the party comes to you. And there are many fine restaurants just steps away from the hotel. While the street is unofficially the "gay street" because the gay beach is right there--one block away.. There are families and straight people all over. Must go to Cafenia.. A wonderful little bakery/coffee shop just 1/2 block from the hotel.. And they have great soups and salads--and wonderful pasteries and desserts. Hint: Don't buy Real in us, exchange after you get your baggage. Another big hint.. Go for the Yellow Cabs, which you'll be using anyway in rio.. But, the airport directs non natives to the expensive cabs that charge $99 to $120us -it's a max of only $60 Reals, which is only $35 for two. Other Hint: Go buy your own drinks and sodas (very cheap) and take everything out of the mini bar. Buy things, because you'll regret that you didn't when you get home--you can't get them on-line. Tipping is mostly added, so but a $2 Real is fine for most people who help you in the hotel who carry luggage. Don't go for the expensive tours.. Just ask your taxi guy (who might speak some english) to take...

There was not anything I could complain about the Plaza, except for one afternoon when I stayed in watching a cable movie that my cheeseburger from the cafe was missplaced.. It was the only time I had to call and ask.. They immediately realized they had missplaced the order and sent one up... Looking over my bill, I wasn't charged for that..

Its perfect location for enjoying Ipanema's to its maximum : beach, shopping, restaurants, nightlife. Helpfulness of some of its staff.

Its services/price ratio is probably about 15% overrated ...

staff were very friendly in particular ricardo the manager at the front desk. ideally located just beside ipanema beach.

hotel was very expensive however it was peak season on our visit so everywhere was expensive or fully booked .there were issues with no hot water in our shower however when it was reported it was seen to and fixed immediately

Comfortable, efficient, nice breakfast, not too fancy but good. And you can open windows!

Slight annoying hum apparently in all rooms from aircon system

love the location

Excellent Location!

Staff was useless and not four star quality.