I just got back from a 6 night stay in Rio at Ocean Drive, and I have
to say was l was not very impressed. This was my first time in Rio, and I would NOT recommend this hotel/condo to a first time visitor to Rio, especially a foreigner.

First of all is the location, which is called Barra de Tijuca, or just plain "Barra". Be aware that although it is technically still within Rio, it is still a 30-45 min taxi ride (with no traffic, much longer with traffic) to the main attractions in Rio (Impanema, Copacabana, Sugar Loaf, etc). There is no metro/subway (as of yet) that runs out to Barra), and while there are bus lines, taking the bus would probably double the travel time, and is not a good option for travel at night.

The setting is very suburban, much like the outer parts of Miami, nothing is really within walking distance, except the beach, which is right across the street. So, if you are without a car as we were, you feel kind of trapped. There... more