Rio de Janeiro Travel Forum

Anyone know about hotel or where we can get a good deal there?

is the area around it relatively safe?

There are many hotels in Rio. In the South Zone most elegant areas, i.e. Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, rates are higher, because of the proximity of the beaches. If you intend to go to the beach and move around in taxis, hotels at Barra da Tijuca can be a good option, but far from the rest of the city. Flamengo and Catete are not so elegant but also good neighbourhoods in the South side of the city, with less expensive hotels. And there are hotels in downtown area, relatively safe on weekdays, maybe not at night and on weekends. If you intend to visit many places in town, better stay in Copacabana, Flamengo, Catete or Downtown, because of shorter distances and the availability of the metro.

I just have seen the Royal Rio Palace in the internet. Is is located in Copacabana, in the vicinity of the famous Copacabana Palace Hotel and the Copacabana Beach itself. Metro station is also nearby and the area is relatively safe.

Have stayed at this hotel several times. It is very nice with a excellent buffet breakfast. The rooms are spacious and clean. The only problem was with the plumbing. You can here the pipes when water is turned on. Staff was friendly, check-in/check-out swift. It is located about 3/4 blocks from the Copacabana Beach and a 5 minute walk to a Metro stop. Copacabana can be a dangerous area day or night, you might want to look at staying in Ipanema, I have stayed at the Best Western in Ipanema and found it also very nice.

Royal Rio Palace is at Rua Duvivier, very close to Posto 2 in Copacabana beach.
Copacabana is served by many restaurants. The area is relatively safe since you be caution. Don't use hawaiin shirts and don't splurge . The better way to take a walk in Rio is grouping. If you are talkative in spanish/portuguese you may go every spot you want know. Just be far off suspect people. Don't carry at hand notebook and camera. Put the gadgets in a grip-sack. Don't buy with brazilian or american money but use credit card. Don't prove to be rolling in riches to gangs.
Cassiovieggore

The poster above is correct with his information. When I was robbed I was wearing some jeans a T shirt no jewelry, and had my credit card in my shoe. All they got was about 20 brazillian dollars and a pack of cigarettes. Saying that, these muggers, robbers etc know who are tourists and who are not no matter how well you try to blend in. The probelm is these muggers and robbers do it to Brazillians also, everone is fair game for them. Young, middle aged, old, doesn't make any difference to them.