If the hotel brand had been Marriott rather than JW Marriott, I would have ranked the hotel higher. This is a decent hotel with a great location. This isn't a JW Marriott level hotel. Not even close. The lobby is meh at best. Rooms badly need a refresh. Restaurant was average, with the standard Marriott menu you can find world-wide. Concierge Lounge was closed due to COVID, so instead a conference room was outfitted with tables and made into an impromptu lounge. I had a hard time figuring out that logic. Staff was friendly and helpful. I liked the rooftop pool but the workout area was small. Again, this was a decent enough Marriott, but someone needs to take the JW off the name.
It's a bit aged as far as JW Marriott's go so it isn't new and shiny, but it is well kept and the staff were all excellent. Its location in copcabana is perfect with both ends easily walkable. Covid precautions were well done and the staff were working hard to make the experience as good as possible. The lounge was closed so nightly you could request a nice snack tray and 2 beers delivered to your room which was terrific. Front desk staff was terrific and friendly. Given it's premier product in the Marriott line would have liked if they had some small beach setup for guests, but other than that was a solid property and I would stay again.
The JW Río has a great ocean front location in the middle of Copacabana beach. The basic infrastructure and design of the hotel is good and everything that needed to work did work, but it is substantially overdue for a major renovation. The carpets are worn out and stained, items around the room were broken beyond repair, elevator buttons and displays were intermittent, and signs everywhere that this potential great property needs an total overhaul to be great again. Staff made a good effort, but room service took 90 minutes on one occasion, and housekeeping forgot something or another each day, for example not refilling coffee or not replacing face towels. Breakfast featured an egg bar with made to order omelets and eggs. The rest of the the breakfast bar was ok but not super. Economic times are tough and this JW may still be one of the better places to stay in Rio short of the Belmond. We had dinner at the Belmond and were very impressed by the attention to detail, but that is a higher price point. It is worth paying for an ocean front room. The interior rooms look into the interior courtyard and have no privacy without closing the curtains.…
I intended to write this when I got home a few weeks ago, but the fact my feelings have not changed should tell you how much I love this place. This is a long and detailed review, so read as much as you like and take as much as you want from it. I actually had booked on points at another hotel nearby, but as I was reading travel blogs, I kept seeing people rave about the Marriott, so a week before I left for Rio, I canceled my points booking and elected to pay for this hotel--the stay did take me to Gold Elite, but that wasn't my main motivation. It would become a decision I was incredibly pleased about making. Arrival: I had a 22 hour delay out of DFW. I'd booked a rate that could not be canceled 24 hours out, but there I was in an airport hotel. The Marriott line called Rio for me, and in no time at all they agreed to push my reservation ahead a day with the same rate, as I extended my trip a day to compensate for the delay. After that, I ended up missing my connection in Sao Paulo, and arrived quite frazzled 36 hours after leaving, where I was greeted by Felipe, who reminded me I was there and could now relax. He then told me he had upgraded me to an ocean view room--not a common thing for a mere Silver Elite, and I knew I was being treated well already. He answered all my questions with a gracious smile and kind tone. And when I asked about ice, because I love icy drinks, he had room service send up TWO buckets of ice for me, which was like the icing on the cake (pun intended). The Stay: The arrival was a certain preview for the stay. Absolutely everything I requested or needed, they helped me with and smiled while doing so. I like to think I am a good guest who asks nicely, says thank you sincerely, and tips with generosity, but still, the utter sincerity of this staff is over the top as classy as the people of Rio themselves; in fact, it is likely because they ARE the people of Rio that they represent this great city well. Some examples: My iPhone charger cords--all three of them--stopped working at almost midnight the night right before it was my birthday, the reason for my trip. I went downstairs to ask if any stores were open. One of the night clerks, Juliana, lent me her personal charger until I could find an open store the next day. I was a solo traveler and on my birthday, I wanted cake (of course!). I managed to find the perfect cake in a nice bakery, and walked back to the hotel with it. It was far too large for me, so I asked the two women working the desk if they could have a piece of cake with me. They were able to, which made me incredibly happy. They went to the kitchen and got plates and a utensils. Then a couple staying at the hotel came in and I invited them to share a piece. Because of this, I ended up not spending my birthday alone, but with people who felt like friends. Of course, they thanked me profusely, not realizing what a gift it was to me. After I went up to my room with just the right amount of leftover cake, two more buckets of ice arrived on schedule--in fact, that night, he was waiting for me at my door with the ice. Service: Room service was operating with pretty open hours, and could be requested in the app--as could housekeeping services (which operated each day). The night before my birthday I requested dinner, but later I also went on the app and requested room service--after they had closed--for the next morning, so I would have fresh fruit and breads for breakfast. There was a mistake and somehow they thought I wanted it that night. So it was left outside my door. When I called downstairs, not only did they apologize for the error, but they told me to keep it, and that they would send up a new order the next day--"along with something else." So that night when I returned back after our cake, I found not only had housekeeping made my room spotless again, but sitting over by the chair was a beautiful tray of fruits, breads, AND a giant slice of tiramisu birthday cake, a certificate for a massage in the hotel spa, and a handwritten, personal birthday card! I was rather shocked. I still have the thoughtful card. I generally travel on my birthday, as I am alone and don't have family. Last year I was at a hotel in Montreal, and they knew it was my birthday. Being a nice hotel, there was some kind acknowledgement, which certainly was NOT necessary, but what the Marriott in Rio did was off-the-charts personal. Housekeeping was also excellent. One day I requested more shampoo and conditioner, and instead of getting more tiny bottles, they left not only a replacement of those, but bottles that were the largest hotel toiletries I have seen in my life. They were closer to the small size of full size toiletries. I posted pictures and my friends at home were stunned. Another day, I came back, and found the sandy flip flops I'd left askew in the entry way were in front of the bathtub. Housekeeping had even rinsed them off for me and left them to dry. Talk about above and beyond! When I wanted to see Christ the Redeemer, I went to the front desk to ask about all the options available and which one I needed. The young man there offered to help me book it, and went right to the website for me, then printed my confirmation paper. He probably helped me save a lot of money on some "tour" I didn't need. Overall: I can't remember the names of everyone who helped me, but I can remember that there was not a single person who was not upholding this standard of excellence. Some commenters mention that the hotel is a bit older. It is, but it is so well kept, and so clean and lovingly cared for that it didn't matter that you can see a bit of wear and tear. I have to recognize Felipe specifically because I dealt with him the most. As I was leaving and requested a late check out due to a late flight, which would be an overnight 10.5 hour flight back to the States, he graciously gave me one much later than I expected. He reminds me that hospitality is a true INDUSTRY, a career on which people embark. Felipe epitomizes what the hospitality industry is about--as if it is a joy to serve and help guests. He was a true blessing in every way. And really, as I noted, so was the entire staff. I have no criticisms. I write for travel blogs, and have my own travel website. I have status with four major hotel groups, and fly in first/business quite a bit and have airline status. In other words, it's not as if I have never stayed in a nice place, but this hotel is now the standard I hold the rest of them to. I have been in three hotels since then, including a "resort" in Cancun, which was terrible, and which I kept mentally comparing to the Marriott in Rio. Stay here. Really. For the price point and class that it is, you will not find a value even close. And if you want to feel that old fashioned value as a true hotel GUEST, this is the place. Tip them well--not because they expect it or act like they deserve it, but precisely because they don't. The JW Marriott in Rio is pure gold.…
This hotel is starting to get tired. Room was small but OK although I did have a good nights sleep and the location is hard to beat right on Copacabana beach. Staff seemed disorganised and not at all attentive to basic requirements such as serving group meals at the time requested impacting on subsequent timings. Food was at best average and given that it was a JW Marriott a disappointing breakfast selection. It seems very easy to blame everything on Covid to my mind.
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