This was our second stay at the Le Meridien Copacabana. Our previous stay was three years ago and was pleasant. Unfortunately, this hotel appears to have downhill since then. In all fairness, Rio is a difficult city to find a hotel that meets Western expectations. We haven't found anything to compare to the Four Seasons, Westin or W hotels.

The good features about this hotel are its location and its view which is better than the other hotels we've stayed at on Copacabana (including the new JW Marriott). The windows are quite large and give wonderful views of the beach and mountains. I would recommend a room with a view of both the mountains and beach which is very impressive. We have stayed in regular view rooms and this last stay we stayed in a Suite which had wonderful views from all sides. The rooms are clean but definitely dated.

The negative aspects of this hotel largely circulate around its staff. I have never had such a rude and unhelpful concierge service. We have found people in Brazil, including Rio, to be warm and wonderful but this quality was not reflected in much of the staff. The concierge refused to help us arrange transportation to our next location and instead sent us to a dingy travel company where we wasted much of our afternoon. The staff at the concierge desk were unreachable, extremely rude, would hang up on you when they thought your question was too difficult, and did not give good recommendations for restaurants. Moreover, the air conditioning didn't work in our first hotel room. Over an eight hour period we repeatedly asked for someone to come and check but were told there was no one available. Finally, at midnight we were moved to a new room. This was only after repeated phone calls that were not returned or responded to. Overall, it was the shocking rudeness that really spoiled our stay. The people I was traveling with had the same experience and none of us could wait to leave the hotel.

Another issue was the fact that the hotel advertises that it has internet access in the rooms and even has ports with instructions but when we contacted the front desk after having no connection we were hung up on twice and then told that there is no connection as of this time - apparently it is in the works and is not yet a service available. We specifically chose this hotel b/c we thought it had in-room internet access and would not have stayed here otherwise.

The fitness facility was also misrepresented. The website indicates that it is a large facility when in fact it is a small cramped room with only a handful of machines (six?) with a weightroom no bigger than a closet and which is not well ventilated.

We normally love Le Meridiens and were very disappointed. We would recommend staying somewhere else.

I stayed at the Le Merdien for a week in mid August. Compared to other hotels I have stayed in, I thought it was okay. First, you should know that the location is least to be desired. You are a long cab ride from Ipanema. There is a mall not to far from the hotel, but its advised that you dont walk there for safety reasons. Le Merdien hotel has okay ammenities, the gym is a small room, the food is expensive and not great. The room was average. The room was small, bathroom okay. I have heard other hotels are nicer. Just because it is a Sheridan doesnt mean that its great. The one positive is the beach is right outside your door.

My family and I tried to stay here using Starwood points and were promptly "upgraded" to a Deluxe room. This was essential since we have 2 boys and needed a little extra room. The hotel said the Deluxe has 2 beds and a sitting area with a sofa. We liked this idea and booked the room. Upon arrival I asked to see the room before I handed over my credit card. The bellhop took us up to a room that was standard size for a Best Western or Travelodge, not even close to the Starwood Preferred room I was in at the Sheraton Barra. I told him we were to be in a Deluxe and he replied that this was a Deluxe. We went back to the reception desk and were told, the Deluxe is a standard room, but on a higher floor for the view. When I told him what we had been promised when making our reservation he replied, that would be a suite, we can't use your points for that and the price will be 300 USD. Sad to say, we balked at that and promptly left. The hotel may be good for tour groups, but they seem to be struggling to manage their rewards guests. Mind you, this was mid-week during the winter, so they were hardly overbooked.

Le Meridian use to be a nice hotel. It is a shame that big hotel chain names such as this, Sheraton and others get to be less than what it is expected by travellers going to South America. It is very dissappointing. The neighborhood also is very unsafe now. The "best" alternative in Rio I would say it is the Caesar Park in Ipanema, but with a very high price and hotel is a 3 star, not a 5 as they advertise.