4/10 Fair
Mar 15, 2025
Disappointing Stay During Carnival in Rio
The bathroom had some issues - the toilet didn’t flush properly, and the shower was tricky to use because balancing the hot and cold water was a constant struggle. At some point, the air conditioning stopped working as well.
The biggest issue for me was the internet. It was barely functional throughout the hotel, and in my room, it didn’t work at all. Since I work on my computer, a stable connection is essential, so this was a real problem. I stayed for five nights and had to deal with poor Wi-Fi the entire time. I reported it to the front desk three times, and each time they assured me they would fix it, but nothing changed. Eventually, after reaching out to Hotels.com, they moved me to another room on the third floor. Unfortunately, while the internet situation remained the same, the new room was also noticeably smaller.
After a while, I just accepted the situation because I didn’t want to waste my vacation dealing with hotel issues. I understand that hotels raise prices during Carnival, but for the rate they charged, I expected a higher standard.
The only part of Carnival in Rio that truly felt worth it was the Sambadrome event. Everything else, including staying in Copacabana, didn’t justify the cost. If you’re visiting during Carnival, I’d highly recommend experiencing the Sambadrome, but I wouldn’t suggest staying in Copacabana, where hotels seem to overcharge without offering real value.
Verified traveler
5-night trip
