Description: I arrived in Rio just days after Carnival ended (according to the Catholics), but it seemed no one told the cariocas that. I walked into a lobby full of tan revelers strutting about with cocktails in their hands and wearing bathing suits and flipflops. Note it was around 11am.
I found the accomodations near-perfect. Every room has a view of the ocean and a balcony that had its own table and chairs. This view is enjoyable during the day, and at night the neighboring favela lights up so festively that it's easy to forget the difficult lives the residents lead. My room was very comfortable (it seems like everything was new), with plenty of room (in typical Inter-Continental style) for all my toiletries on the bathroom vanity. As a business traveler, I appreciated the responsive laundry and room service, as well as the lively lobby bar. It was always full in the evenings, and thus my first night there I became fast friends with a group of Italian men (led by Paolo and his friend Paolo) who were not only astonished I was in Rio for business, but also insisted I arrive to every meeting hung over. Also, this is the only resort in Rio, which means it has its own beach and a fabulous grouping of pools, sundecks and outdoor bars where I lounged during my off hours.
Some drawbacks are that it is pricey and far from downtown and the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. (There is a free shuttle that will take you all the way down to Copacabana and various spots in between.) The concierge service was spotty, and they would not help me get to Corcovado using public transport but insisted I sign up for one of their tours (I didn't).
Apart from these, if you are traveling without a budget in mind, and are more interested in relaxing rather than tourism, I recommend this Inter-Continental.
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