PRICE:
Frommer's Exceptional

The Sheraton is the only large luxury hotel with a fabulous leisure area that is still relatively close to the Zona Sul. You are only a 30-minute walk from Leblon or a 10-minute taxi ride from Ipanema. It is also the place where Rio's societal divisions will stare you right in the face, or rather, into your room. Located directly on its own beautiful pocket beach, the Sheraton sits in the shadow of a hillside favela. Guests in the north-facing rooms awake to the calls of roosters roaming round the small brick shacks across the road. As sharp as the contrast may seem, there is a friendly mingling of tourists and locals on the beach (which is kept very safe by hotel security). The hotel itself is the ultimate in luxury, featuring three large swimming pools in a beautiful parklike setting, beachfront access, and sweeping ocean views. The rooms are spacious and very bright. All have verandas with a partial or full ocean view, and the interiors have recently been upgraded with new light fixtures, large desks, and dual phone lines. The location is suitable for children, and the hotel staff offer lots of activities to keep little ones busy. Facilities: 3 restaurants; bar; disco; 3 outdoor heated pools; tennis courts (extra charge); health club (extra charge); sauna; children's center; game room; concierge; tour desk; car rental; courtesy shuttle service; business center; shopping arcade; salon; room service; massage; babysitting; laundry; dry cleaning; nonsmoking floors; executive-level rooms

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Brazil, 4th Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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