This is my second time coming to Rio, so I have plenty of great posts to share from this trip and from my last trip here. This time, we headed to the Sheraton Grand Hotel, which is located past Copacabana, past Ipanema in an area called Leblon.
The Sheraton Grand Rio is cute. Although it feels isolated. That might be a great thing if you’re trying to get away from the masses. Some people love to vacation away from it all. I, however, like my hustle and bustle of a big city. Therefore a nice isolated vacation is not really something I enjoy too much. I’m not complaining though, I love Rio.
Booking.comThe Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel Overview
It’s a long distance from the airport. It’s a good thing we hired a car service to pick us up. Although, nowadays, there are Uber advertisements everywhere. Therefore, if you’re looking for a cheap alternative, an Uber ride is very economical.
The Sheraton Grand is somewhat secluded. It also has a private(ish) beach behind it. I say private-ish because they can’t deny public access. However, the beach itself is located in an absolutely adorable cove. It’s very natural with many big rock formations and lovely sand.
So far, Sheraton Grand beach is usually unoccupied, which I find odd. Are you telling me there is a private beach no one is using? Let me at it!
From my experience, the beaches in Rio tend to have strong waves and heavy undertows. There’s also a sign warning people about it. I wonder if its causing people to freak out and avoid it?
I asked the staff about the safety in the area, and they said it’s pretty safe, just don’t go walking around after midnight. But, this rule applies to any big city.
The pools
The Sheraton Grand Rio has two separate pools and a jacuzzi. The main pool is 25 meters long, which is excellent for swimming laps. However, you can’t do flip turns because one side of the pool is made up of stairs. Swimming laps would be more effortless if the vacationers were not splashing around. Otherwise, this pool would be perfect.
The Jacuzzi is big and can probably hold up to 20 people or so, but it’s surprisingly shallow. The other pool is just for kids.
There are many hot Brazilian men just chilling in their speedos, which makes for excellent eye candy.
The courtyard
Near the pool, they have a great courtyard with lounge chairs. They have a minibar. There’s a steakhouse, and Casa do Cachaça, which is another restaurant.
Many beautiful trees surround the restaurants and pools. You can view the mountains and hills alongside the hotel. It feels like you’re in the middle of a jungle. It’s pretty awesome if you’re trying to feel like you’re on vacation and not just in another westernized hotel.
Casa do Cachaça
The first night at the Sheraton Grand, we ate at Casa do Cachaça. The service is great, and the waiters are very friendly.
Although, since I went to happy hour and grabbed a few snacks, I ordered an appetizer for the night. It consisted of five small empanadas. They have cheese and meat empanadas. All of them are so tasty!
They had a live band playing which made for great ambiance.
I was so tired after this meal, I went to bed right after this.
The Sheraton Grand Hotel Rooms
My partner is always traveling for business, so the perks of being a BonVoy member always comes in handy. His status gives us automatic suite upgrades. Therefore we got a lovely suite.
The suite is great. Although our room had carpet and I really don’t like carpet. Not to mention, this carpet looks like its been here since the 80s.
The room is equipped with great things like a kitchenette. There’s a sink and a mini-fridge filled with sodas and waters.
The living room has a pullout sofa. To top it off, there’s a desk space and two balconies.
One balcony is in the living room, but the second one is inside the room. Even though we weren’t facing the oceanfront, the view is gorgeous!
The bedroom itself consists of a big king-size bed, which is great if you’re traveling as a couple.
There’s a flat-screen TV, dresser drawers a couple of nightstands, and more seating arrangements.
The bathroom inside my suite
The restrooms are nice. Although it’s just a regular restroom, it doesn’t have a tub. However, I love me a nice shower.
It comes with necessary toiletries like shampoo, body wash, lotion, conditioner, and even mouth wash. I love it when a hotel gives me mouth wash. I always try to bring my own, but I sometimes forget. Like on this trip. My middle name is “forgetful.”
Breakfast & Club Lounges at the Sheraton Grand Rio
Many times (not always) when you book a suite, you get access to the lounge. The lounges usually have scheduled meals. At the Sheraton Grand in Rio, they have breakfast, afternoon tea, and happy hour.
Breakfast is good yet simple. It has the same spread in terms of food. You have salmon, fresh fruits, yogurt, and juices.
There is a pastry spread, as well.
If you’re interested in getting tipsy as you wake, they also have champagne.
There’s a small menu where you can choose scrambled eggs, omelets, and eggs benedict.
My only complaint would be how leisurely the service is. Still, I must admit its a very American attitude to want your food out fast.
Tea
The afternoon tea is self-service, where you pick and choose your pastries.
I always love a good lounge. My go-to option is coffee and a chocolate-covered croissant if they have it.
There are many pastries to choose from. You have nutty baklava, Brazilian style danishes and more.
Happy hour
I went for happy hour and had 1.25 Caipirinhas because this Brazilian drink is so strong after finishing my first one, I was drunk.
Last time I came to Brazil, I had two and lost my shirt at the beach. At some point, I was escorted back to my hotel by a lovely French gay couple who said I was so drunk they were afraid a bus might hit me. So, 1.25 was more than enough for me!
The gym & other amenities
The gym is very functional. It’s not as occupied as you would think. It also has every machine you could ask for. They have free-weights. You’ll find yoga mats, bands, and foam rollers.
I was able to do a great chest and cardio workout at this gym.
Although I didn’t use their spa for facials or massages, my partner did, and he said they did a great job with his pedicure and facial.
The hotel bar is decent. I went one night and ordered from the bar menu. I got a big burger and a rum and coke. Not too bad and not too expensive.
Other Hotels Nearby
Although the Sheraton Grand is great, there are many hotels to choose from in Rio. You can choose which beach to stay near. You have Copacabana and Ipanema.
Sheraton Grand is about a 20-minute walk to Ipanema. But if you need to be in front of either beach, here is another option for you.
Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
Last time I was here, I stayed at the Sofitel hotel, which no longer exists. This building is now the Fairmont Rio de Janeiro. However, if they kept everything similar, it would still be incredible.
I should warn you the Fairmont is a little pricey and way more fancy than the Sofitel. But if you do want to book it, click on any banners or links to head to Booking.com. They are affiliate links which means if you happen to book it, I will get a commission, and you’ll be supporting my blog. Everything goes towards keeping Designing Life alive! So thank you in advance <3.
But, if there is one thing I learned from staying here when it was the Sofitel, is that the location is perfect. It’s literally in the middle of both beaches. You can walk to Copacabana and Ipanema.
Ipanema is a short five-minute walk. This is the hotel you book if you’re trying to get the best of both worlds.
Let’s hope they also kept the staff because I loved the staff so much. I literally hugged them goodbye before leaving. They were amazing, warm, charismatic, and genuine. It made for a great hotel stay.
If the Fairmont is anything like the Sofitel, this hotel is a must.
Let me break it down for you:
Do I recommend the Sheraton Grand in Rio? The only thing I didn’t like is that it was too far from the rest of the city. But some people love that on their vacation. Otherwise, it’s a great hotel.
The Sheraton Grand in Rio is an excellent getaway from the big city of Rio de Janeiro. With a beautiful private beach and great amenities, you can’t go wrong.
If you’re not into being slightly secluded from the city, it might not be for you. However, it takes about 15 minutes to walk to city-front beaches. It’s also a safe area.
The restaurants are nice. The waiters are very friendly.
If you’re interested in booking this hotel, click here to head over to booking.com. Or click on any of the banners on this page. They are affiliate banners, which means if you happen to book it, I will get a commission, and you’ll be supporting my blog. Everything goes towards keeping Designing Life alive! I thank you in advance.
Now let’s go to Rio and drink some tasty Caipirinhas!