Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel

It made our entire trip to Rio as enjoyable as it was. The location is great (with the access to the beach) staff are great, and not often in Brazil do you get English speaking staff but here you do (if you’ve never been to Brazil you might not understand what I mean until you’re here). This is almost certainly the best choice if you’re coming to Rio. Trust me

On my only trip to Rio de Janeiro, I stayed at the Sheraton Grand Rio while visiting for a half marathon. Friends were staying at the considerably fancier Fasano, which I also had the chance to experience, but I genuinely loved my hotel. Set on a point along the coast, the property occupies a narrow shelf between the Atlantic and a busy coastal road, with steep, vegetation-covered cliffs rising immediately beyond it. The compression of rock, traffic, architecture, and ocean is dramatic and unmistakably Rio. Our high-floor room had enormous sliding glass doors that opened to fresh air and a remarkable view toward Christ the Redeemer. The hotel felt safe, clean, and extremely well run, qualities I appreciated in a city I was visiting for the first time. I also swam in the large pool and found the entire outdoor area relaxed and beautifully positioned. Beyond the resort, I took the bus toward Ipanema and Copacabana and ate at local restaurants rather than dining at the hotel. São Conrado in the other direction felt lower-key and more residential, offering another side of the city. Because the Sheraton stands slightly apart from the famous beachfront districts, it seemed to offer excellent value without sacrificing the scenery that makes Rio extraordinary. I had an incredible experience and would love to return.

Staying at the Sheraton Grand Rio offers a bit of a "resort within the city" experience, but it comes with distinct trade-offs depending on what you value in a Rio vacation. ​The Highlights ​Excellent Amenities: The pool area and hot tub are truly the crown jewels of this property. They are spacious, well-maintained, and offer a great environment for lounging. ​Service & Comfort: The service throughout our stay was consistently good, and our ocean-view room was very nice—offering that iconic, sweeping vista of the Atlantic that is hard to beat. ​Important Considerations ​The "Shadow" Factor: While the view is beautiful, be aware that the hotel sits at the base of a mountain. In June, the resort area falls into the shadow of the mountain by 3:00 PM, significantly shortening your time for afternoon sunbathing by the pool. ​Construction Disruptions: Despite explicitly requesting a quiet room, we were placed next to a unit undergoing active construction. We dealt with loud drilling on our first day, early the next morning, and again on Monday. While it was quiet over the weekend, it was a major inconvenience for the majority of our stay. ​Beach Accessibility: The beach directly in front of the hotel is quite small, and the water conditions can be rough. We frequently encountered "red flag" conditions with waves too large for safe swimming, limiting the utility of the beach access. ​Final Verdict ​This property is likely a solid choice for families traveling with children who want to maximize time in a large, safe pool setting. However, if your goal is to experience the vibrant beach culture of Rio or you prefer to avoid construction noise and early-afternoon shade, you would likely be much happier staying in Ipanema or Copacabana. Those neighborhoods offer much easier access to swim-friendly beaches and keep you in the sun for longer periods throughout the day.

Our family had a wonderful experience at the Sheraton. The location and amenities are perfect for a family with active children. We enjoyed being away from the main beaches and crowds and loved our location. We had access to the Club lounge and enjoyed all the food and drinks at the hotel. Because of our elite status, they upgraded us to a corner king with a gorgeous view that connected to a double standard room for the kids. We were also able to check in at 1 pm as soon as the room was cleaned after the previous guests. The rooms are in need of an upgrade or at least some new plumbing fixtures and grout. All the staff were very kind and accommodating. We highly recommend staying at this hotel.