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.

[Shax]

UPDATE:

Just in case this might be useful for anyone else making plans for Rio, I've contacted several hotels around Ipanema and Copacabana on their short-term visitor policy (yes, I'm sure what their policy says and what was actually practiced could be completely different 🤣)

Out of those, only 2 hotels confirmed short-term visitors are allowed to a guest's room, Hilton and Grand Mercure (subject to registration at counter and possible additional fees).

[buttercawan]

1 hour ago, Shax said:

(subject to registration at counter and possible additional fees).

If registration and additional fee (if booked single), I think EVERY hotel will allow this. Might be difficult/embarrassing to de-register and re-register a different guy every day though kkkk

[Shax]

35 minutes ago, buttercawan said:

If registration and additional fee (if booked single), I think EVERY hotel will allow this. Might be difficult/embarrassing to de-register and re-register a different guy every day though kkkk

There's a difference between registration of a person as additional guest to your room (and to your booking), and registering a short-term visitor. What I shared in my update was in relation to the latter (i.e. short-term visitors, not an additional guest), where most of the hotels I've contacted DO NOT allow for and the 2 that do allow for it, have processes that needed to be followed (and some fees, depending on time of visit etc.)

[Canadianbtmguy]

I usually stay at an airbnb but on occasion I’ve stayed in hotels and I recommend the HotelDiamond in Glória, less than 5 minute walk from 117. I’ve never tried bringing guests up at 3am, but until at least midnight there’s a lot of traffic in and out (it’s a fairly big hotel) and you and/or your guest can just come right in, access the elevator (no key required) and go right up.

[Canadianbtmguy]

For those who prefer Copa, I once stayed about a week (due to an Accor promo) at the Ibis posto 5. Again no problem. I think the problem that some posters may be having is that their visitors go to reception. You need to either meet them out in front (which is very easy to do since you’ll probably be paying for their Uber so you will know exactly when they are arriving) or, if you know them and/or perceive them to be able to follow instructions, you can tell them to come straight up to your room without engaging with reception. 
All and all, though, unless you must have a hotel for some reason (that I don’t see) I must’ve rented at least 30 airbnbs in Rio and never ever ever had a problem bringing up visitors. (NOT true in São Paulo)

[floridarob]

8 hours ago, Canadianbtmguy said:

unless you must have a hotel for some reason (that I don’t see)

Daily housekeeping and breakfast has its advantages.....I sway both ways in Brasil on this....depends on pricing and how many days.

[Keithambrose]

20 hours ago, floridarob said:

Daily housekeeping and breakfast has its advantages.....I sway both ways in Brasil on this....depends on pricing and how many days.

Glad to hear that you sway both ways!

[floridarob]

6 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

Glad to hear that you sway both ways!

Not is sex, been there, not going back.

[buttercawan]

11 hours ago, floridarob said:

Not is sex, been there, not going back.

I am a gold star gay kkkk

[Barra]

I stayed at the Americas Copacabana Hotel with no issues having guests 

[floridarob]

2 hours ago, Barra said:

I stayed at the Americas Copacabana Hotel with no issues having guests 

I stayed once, one of the GP's I'd known for awhile, not very bright, but good in sex.... I told him to come straight up to my room.... he didn't, he stooped by the front desk and when they asked him who he was, he proudly stated, "I'm a GP".... they wouldn't let him up.😏