Hotels in Rio

[Shax]

Hi all,

Can I ask which hotels would you guys recommend in Rio? I have a trip coming up next month but haven't booked a hotel yet as I'm torn between staying near Ipanema or Copacabana. Help please! 😅

This will by my first trip to Rio, so I'm planning to check out the saunas and bars. I know a lot of the bars are around Ipanema, but the saunas seem to be scattered around in terms of location.

For now, I'm looking at either Arena Ipanema, Orla Copacabana or Grand Mecure.

[floridarob]

Be aware that MANY hotels and Airbnb don't allow guests....be sure you confirm before booking.

Are you looking for gay4pay places or gay4gay?

Because Ipanema is just too far from the GP places, in my opinion.

I'm a fan of Atlantico because of the lax guest policy, but it might be changing. Last time I stayed there, the night reception person told me they let me bring people back because I'm a long time guest, it's changed into a more family oriented hotel so maybe they might be more restrictive like others??

if looking at airbnb's, check the rules section...if they state no visitors except those that are listed on the rental....skip it.

[Shax]

1 hour ago, floridarob said:

Be aware that MANY hotels and Airbnb don't allow guests....be sure you confirm before booking.

Are you looking for gay4pay places or gay4gay?

Ah, I didn't know that. I'm looking for a mix of both, but definitely will be bringing in guests to my room. I'll try and email those hotels to check their policy on this but thanks for the head's up. If anyone knows any recommendations for guest-friendly hotels, please let me know.

I generally prefer not to opt for Airbnbs as I like the services that come with a hotel room. But may have to look into this option if hotels don't allow guests over.

[Xclay]

6 hours ago, Shax said:

.... This will by my first trip to Rio, so I'm planning to check out the saunas and bars....

So perhaps it will be your first trip to Brazil (since most people seem to go to Rio first)? 

If so, be extra cautious about bringing people back to your place. You'll find a lot of posts here that are worth spending an hour reading about the pros, cons, risks, tips. I'm not trying to spark that debate again and some veterans say "no problem" bringing money guys you don't know to your place. But, especially for newbies, some prudence is advised! 

UPDATE:
Just looked at your interesting posts on Asia, Colombia, and São Paulo, so you are certainly not a newbie. NEVERMIND!

[Latbear4blk]

4 hours ago, Xclay said:

some veterans say "no problem" bringing money guys you don't know to your place.

I doubt any veteran would say so. Not in Brazil, not anywhere. I guess the question is what "knowing someone" means.

@Shax, you are not a newbie. To summarize the info @Xclay wisely advise you to research, I would say:

• If you are going to bring anyone to your place, the safest options are the GPs. In my opinion, this is an option safer than hooking up in Grindr for free and bringing someone to your place
• I find both, sauna and online GPs to be reliable and reasonably safe to bring to your place. However, the sauna boys have a remarkable advantage: you can "know" them before bringing them to your place. About online boys, they often have their own place. You can start there and, once you "know" them, you can bring them to your nest.
• The safest option is not hiring for over nights. Brazilians are great company for multiple hours contracts, hire them during the day. Needless to say, do not fall asleep with any for free Grindr hook up. Sleep alone in your place. I think this single rule would save 90% of safety incidents.
• If you are bringing anyone to your place, keep any valuables safe and out of sight. 
• Do not tell that you are visiting for a few days. Tell that you are going to be there for a few months.

Those are the main tips, I think. But of course the best one is @Xclay: research the related threads. 

[floridarob]

9 hours ago, Shax said:

I'll try and email those hotels to check their policy on this

Marriott seems to be ok, I know numerous people that have stayed there and brought guys in with no problem.

I stick to sauna guys that I bring back to my room, kind of same logic as in Thailand, freelancers are harder to track down and can disappear without a trace....bar boys depend on their job.

[Shax]

Thanks @Xclay and @Latbear4blk for the advices. I am fairly a newbie in the LATAM side of the world, so I've sourced for useful tips and advices across various reports here in terms of the general dos and don'ts. I was just hoping to get some recommendations on guest-friendly hotels as I understand this can be tricky, just like in Medellín 😅.

@floridarob, ah got it. Thanks for that! From a general google search, seems like a few other hotels are also guest friendly (e.g. Hilton, Sol Ipanema, Arena etc.), so I'll try to narrow down the options from there and email them on their visitor policy.

 

[floridarob]

17 hours ago, Shax said:

seems like a few other hotels are also guest friendly (e.g. Hilton

The Hilton in Copa def is NOT guest friendly.... maybe the one way out in Barra is, but who would want to stay way out there.

[Latbear4blk]

3 hours ago, floridarob said:

The Hilton in Copa def is NOT guest friendly.... maybe the one way out in Barra is, but who would want to stay way out there.

Barra? Ha!

I think my next airbnb will be in Recreio. 

[floridarob]

2 hours ago, Latbear4blk said:

I think my next airbnb will be in Recreio

You'll be closer to the Bangu saunas than 202 & 117 

[Latbear4blk]

23 minutes ago, floridarob said:

You'll be closer to the Bangu saunas than 202 & 117 

I know, I've stayed there before. This one will be my first time staying for an entire month in Rio. I will probably go to the saunas only on Tue and Wed. 

But I've never been to the Bangu, I thought it was far north. 

[floridarob]

I think Sunday is their only good day....

https://g.co/kgs/MpXRZB5

 

[Latbear4blk]

I will take a look, I guess. Right now it looks like I will be in Rio the entire August, or mid Aug to mid September.

By the way, I love their chose Boite for their name instead of clube. It reminds me of the Buenos Aires from the 70s.