Stayed at the Arpoador Inn Ipanema Brazil in Feb 2008. The hotel is very clean, reasonable breakfast but the best is its location. You can have breakfast on the boardwalk of a morning overlooking the beach. The hotel is within walking distance of bars/restaurants/shopping. If you want somewhere cheap, clean, but in a good location then this hotel is for you. I would stay here again if in the area.

I stayed here in October 2002, on my first trip to Rio, and have to say that it was a nice little hotel, with a killer location, and great views of Ipanema beach (from the upper floor back rooms). Nice to go to sleep listening to the waves crashing! While it does not have the amenities one might expect from a 4- or 5-star property, it DOES have a great location, literally steps form Ipanema and Arpoador beaches. It is also affordable, and that's a help, too. Breakfast included, as in most Rio hotels; nothing magnificent, but filling, and good coffee! While there were a few inconveniences (locked lobby doors at night) all in all it was an affordable and comfortable place, with a killer location. You could do MUCH worse in Rio.

The Arpoador Inn is absolute beachfront - between Ipanema and Copacabana. We had 4 nights in a "Superior - Frente Rua" room for R$240 per night (room #509). This was a street view room but we could see Ipanema beach and also Christo Redentor (in the distance). The room was clean and a comfortable with a good shower, there is some noise from the street. However if you want no noise and excellent ocean views then stay in a "Luxo - Frente Mar" room - which are more expensive of course. The buffet breakfast (included) is very good and you can eat it at a beach side table. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Other reviews have noted the 10% service surcharge which is not advised when you book (most hotel charges include service) so I checked this out. The charge is definitely voluntary - I gave them 7% and they were quite happy with that. We highly recommend this hotel for travellers on a medium budget. We booked thru "travel@ipanema.com". Travel tips - we didn't use the hotel restaurant other than breakfast or their internet because we liked the Pigalle restaurant (the second restaurant on Atlantica Ave, great meals from R$8) which is only a short walk and you pass an internet cafe on the way. From just outside the airport arrival hall you can get a yellow taxi to Arpoador (cost us R$33 on the meter) which is much cheaper than the taxi rate inside the terminal.

Great location in Arpoador. From the hotel you can easily walk both to Ipanema and Copacabana, the two main beaches in Rio. Staff was very helpful, rooms were clean and they offer towels for the beach. If you don’t mind paying a bit more for a room with a view, go for it! Breakfast was not very nice. Avoid eating at their restaurant as it is overpriced for what it is.