J.W. Marriott Rio de Janeiro

[TotallyOz]

This is one of my favorite hotels. I have stayed there dozens of times and never had a problem bringing someone to my room. However, I do book for 2 and do not mind registering someone if needed. The rooms are small but the staff is excellent.

https://www.gayguides.com/listing/jw-marriott-hotel/

[Lonnie]

5 hours ago, TotallyOz said:

someone to my room

And your wake up call was something special...if Marriott included him the place would never have a vacancy.

[Grovin49]

Interesting to hear this because someone, during a brief conversation,  said it was a dump. Is it not?

[TotallyOz]

I never found it a dump. I found the rooms small if you have a basic room. But, the service was good, the food was good, and the convenience was excellent.

I used to stay at the Intercontinental but that has closed and that only leaves me a few choices in Rio for points and miles. The JW is one of them.

[tassojunior]

I stayed there almost two weeks and it is super nice. Great location between Copacabana and Ipanema on the beach with nice restaurants nearby. The lounge has breakfast lunch and dinner free in a very nice setting with a view. 4 1/2 star. 

[EZEtoGRU]

On 9/19/2021 at 3:17 AM, Grovin49 said:

Interesting to hear this because someone, during a brief conversation,  said it was a dump. Is it not?

It's been some years since I stayed there but it certainly was not a dump.  As TotallyOz said, the rooms are on the small side.  Service and food are excellent.  I love it's location.

[TheBossBabyback]

From what I can tell from online reviews, the hotel is basically an old Courtyard with JW Marriott prices. I'm adding a note to this old thread because someone may be looking at this hotel as well. I wanted them to know what you can come to expect. It has been recently renovated but again, on the level of an old Courtyard. I just booked a two night stay for the 2025 NYE. So, the location, lounge, rooftop pool and proximity to the beach won me over. I have a shitty room with 2 twin beds. Not sure if I'll keep this reservation. 

[ToTheCore]

I'm baffled at the super high prices of almost all the hotels along Copacabana.  Prices have doubled for what used to be reasonable, beach accessible, "nice" hotels.  

I'm all for letting the market forces work but what's going on?  

[Lucky]

I have high ellte status with Marriott, but I chose the Miramar by Windsor for my last stay as I had not heard good things about the JW Marriott. The Miramar is a lovely hotel and abut $100  a night cheaper than JW.

[Shax]

On 2/12/2025 at 10:41 PM, Lucky said:

I have high ellte status with Marriott, but I chose the Miramar by Windsor for my last stay as I had not heard good things about the JW Marriott. The Miramar is a lovely hotel and abut $100  a night cheaper than JW.

Hi @Lucky, can I ask whether you were able to bring any GP/visitor to your room during your stay at Miramar?

[Lucky]

Yes, you can ask.🙂 But, no, I did not attempt to bring in a guest.

[TheBossBabyback]

If you're like me, while looking at the JW you might have considered the Sheraton as well. 

I stayed at the Sheraton last Nov (2025) which was rather fabulously comfortable resort property. The photos undersell it a little bit, with the pool area, semi-private beach, cozy rooms, and very nice lounge for Plats and above. A balcony so close to the beach, where you can just sit out to listen to the ocean waves or watch the sun rise over the water. Fab!

But they really treat it like a resort property, even with my status, they were NOT allowing me to really check in early. I think they let me in an hour before the 3pm check in time. But they allowed me me to hangout in the Plat lounge while I waited for my room. There is no food between breakfast and lunch, just nuts, coffee, and water. Next time, I'm hitting the pool. 

There always appeared to be at least two to three men manning the door. I had no issue brining in a guest but I arrived with him by car and didn't wait around for anyone to object. I just said hello and went with him towards the elevators. Then I happen to snag an uber with him back to Ipanema, since the Sheraton is so land locked and difficult to reach by public transit. I also had dinner plans down there. 

The guys at the door saw everything and everyone. I don't know if my guest could have come up to my room if I met him in the lobby instead of walking him in myself. Also, the fact that we left together might have helped avoid questions. 

I did reserve the room with two people as another poster suggested. Upon checking in, they asked for the name of my second guest. Of course, I hadn't met him yet 😉, so just said my friend isn't feeling well so is unsure if he will join me or not. They said it's fine, and he can add him to the reservation if/when he arrives. I was prepared to add my Grato to my reservation if needed as a back up plan. 

Sheraton Pros: 

• Truly a relaxing property. Can enjoy their lovely pool or walk down to the connected beach without a busy road between you and the water. Pool service was attentive and fast. 
• Lounge is nice but packed at night. But, you can truly make an entire meal out of the spread. 
• Rooms are nice, not modern, but not dated or small. Balcony views are great. 
• Cost less then the JW Marriott in points or cash, and safer. No one's getting mugged outside of the Sheraton's front door as has happened at the JW. So, I've heard. 
• Rooms are larger and nicer then the JW. 

Sheraton Cons: 

• It's not as easy for Gratos, to reach the hotel since it's not centralized. JW's location wins for meet ups. 
• Since there is a one-lane road to or from the hotel, traffic can delay your ubers. You are free to walk to Ipanema, but I know my ass ain't doing that walk after the sun goes down. 
• I don't know how security is at the JW, but since the Sheraton is so isolated, security notices everything. If you are a slut like me, they may ask questions if you have multiple guests or if your guests doesn't seem like a guests they will. notice. 
• Late check out isn't guaranteed since it's a resort property. They worked with me but 4pm check out was not happening. Typical resort property. 

Final thoughts. 

After a couple of days stying in Ipanema I was happy to stay in my gilded-Sheraton cage. I'm planning to return later this year after a couple of days down the mountain. 

I hope this helps future travelers.