Hotel Novotel Rio de Janeiro Barra da Tijuca (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Many guests enjoy the hotel's quiet location opposite the very beautiful beach of Barra da Tijuca. The walk to the sandy shore is a short and straightforward one, and there are lots of shops and restaurants within a ten-minute taxi trip.

The rooms are widely described as very clean and comfortable, furnished in a very simple, modern style, with good free Wi-Fi and reliable air conditioning. Many rooms on the higher floors offer a lovely view of the ocean, and the outlook from the rooftop pool area is quite spectacular.

The staff get many positive reviews for their friendly, attentive service. International travellers are pleased to report the front desk staff are fluent in English, and able to arrange tours. The breakfast buffet is also very popular for its wide variety of fresh fruits, meats, and regional specialties, such as tapioca made to order.

Some guests are disappointed to find that there is no beach service, aside from the beach towels provided. Chairs and umbrellas are available to rent once there.

The on site parking lot is maintained by a third party, and the service is generally considered a bit pricey. Moreover, there are few restaurants or other amenities within walking distance, and the main tourist attractions (Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana) are 40-70 minutes away depending on traffic.

The on site gym is generally considered very small for the size of the property, as is the pool. While a bit too shallow for some adults to swim, it is popular with the kids.