HILTON BARRA RIO DE JANEIRO
CRITIQUE MY STAY RATING: 7.5/10
AVG. NIGHTLY RATE: $130
Rio de Janeiro may be a major tourist destination but the U.S. based hotel chains don’t exactly have the greatest presence in the coastal city. The JW Marriott and the Hilton Copacabana, both subpar, dated properties, are really the only U.S. brand hotels in the more popular areas of Rio. Other newer hotels, like the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro and the Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro, are located outside of the city in the surburbs. To get an idea of what Hilton had to offer outside of its relatively unexciting Copacabana property, we went to the Hilton Barra to spend a few nights.
LOCATION
6/10
Situated inconveniently to the far west of Rio's central attractions, the Hilton Barra occupies an isolated position on the northern outskirts of Barra da Tijuca, surrounded by desolate, undeveloped plots of land. The location, while offering a break from the vibrant city life, is not favorable for first-time visitors and unlike the nearby Grand Hyatt, doesn’t offer access to or views of the beach. Popular destinations like Copacabana beach, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer are about an hour away by car and there is no public transportation to get you there easily. The hotel is in close walking distance to the large Metropolitano Barra Mall which does have some dining and shopping options. Rio's largest international airport (GIG) is about 40 minutes away by car.
AMENITIES
8/10
GYM - 8.5/10
As we mentioned before, this Hilton property is a lot newer than its Copacabana property and that really comes through in the amenities. The gym at Hilton Barra is situated on the rooftop, adjacent to the pool. The area is tidy and provides excellent views of the lagoon but, more importantly, it is equipped with modern cardio and strength machines, including treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, leg and chest machines, as well as free weights and an all-in-one machine. We encountered no issues with our workout routine, and exercising there was a very enjoyable experience.
SPA - 6.5/10
We did book a massage while we were at the hotel and it was a bit of an interesting experience. The great news is that it wasn’t terribly expensive and the massage itself was pretty good. The unfortunate part is that it was done in a space that was very clearly a hotel room turned into a massage room with two massage beds. There was no entrance to a spa or a sitting area or anything like that - you just knocked on what looked like a hotel room door and went in.
POOL - 9/10
The standout amenity of the Hilton Barra is its expansive heated rooftop pool. The pool is great and the stunning views of the Jacarepagua Lagoon and the surrounding mountains make it even better. The pool area is complemented by a small jacuzzi and a bar. Additionally, there are loungers available alongside the pool deck for relaxation.
OTHER
There’s a 24-hour business center equipped with computers and meeting rooms, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property, a main restaurant open for breakfast to dinner, around-the-clock room and concierge service, and an Executive Lounge offering free breakfast, drinks, and snacks for guests who have a certain level of Hilton status or those that book rooms that are granted access. The hotel also allows pets for a fee. Additionally, the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service to the nearby beach on weekends which is a nice feature given that it is a decent distance away. We also have to take a moment to talk about the wonderful team at this hotel who really went above and beyond to make our stay incredibly comfortable (without having any idea that we would be writing this review).
ROOM
8/10
The Hilton Barra features a total of 298 rooms and suites, each offering views of either the lagoon or the city. We booked a King Size Classic Room, which was relatively spacious and had wooden furniture and a very comfortable bed. We were impressed with the quality of the design and furnishings in the room given the price of the hotel. In addition to the king sized bed, there was a desk and chair, as well as a modest sitting area featuring a lounge chair and a side table near the window. Among the room's amenities were air-conditioning, a 42” flat screen TV, Nespresso coffee maker, a safe, an iron, a minibar, as well as bathrobes and slippers. The modern bathroom, though compact, was nice and had a walk-in shower. There wasn’t anything extremely luxurious about the room but it was comfortable and a good value for the price.
BREAKFAST
8/10
The breakfast at the Hilton Barra is buffet style at the ground floor restaurant. It was a pretty typical breakfast spread including fresh fruits, juices, bread (with pao de quiejo, of course), pastries, and cereals. The spread also featured hot dishes like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, and pancakes, along with an assortment of average cheeses and cold cuts. In addition, there was a made-to-order egg station on the verandah, just outside the main sitting area. While the food quality may not be top-notch, the extensive variety gave you plenty to choose from.
RESTAURANTS NEARBY
If you are looking for good places to eat, here are some Eat My Critique approved options:
Fogo de Chao (20 minute drive) - Brazilian Steakhouse that’s way better in Brazil than elsewhere.
Mocellin (30 minute drive) - Another Brazilian Steakhouse that operates similarly to Fogo de Chao.
Maria e o Boi (1 hour drive) - Casual restaurant that specializes in meat and other classic Brazilian dishes.
To check out all of the Eat My Critique reviews from Rio de Janeiro, click here.
THINGS TO DO
Most tourists flock to the south zone of Rio for the most iconic sites, but Barra da Tijuca offers an impressive array of attractions, beautiful beaches, and a modern ambiance. To make your visit unforgettable, we have compiled some attractions in Rio for you:
Go to the Barra Beach (20 minute drive) - It’s less crowded and less touristy but still a great place to spend the day.
Hike the Pedra da Gavea (40 minute drive) - This mountain offers breathtaking views of the city and the ocean, and is a popular spot for hiking and rock climbing.
South Zone Beaches (1hr drive) - Though you have more tranquil beaches right outside of the hotel, a trip to Rio wouldn’t be complete without heading over to Copacabana and Ipanema beaches for a taste of Rio’s vibrant beach culture.
Sugarloaf Mountain (1hr 10 minute drive) - The most iconic mountain in a city full of them. Taking the cable cars to the top is a must so long as you aren’t afraid of heights.
Christ the Redeemer (1hr 18 minute drive) - The 1,145 ton statue is a symbol of the city and though you can see it from all over, there’s nothing like getting up close and personal with the gigantic work of art.
VERDICT
At a rate that is certainly much lower than what you are going to find in Copacabana or Ipanema, the Hilton Barra de Tijuca will not only be more affordable but it also might be nicer in terms of accommodation. If you are on a business trip and are doing business in the area, the amenities make it a solid option. However, if you are a first time visitor to Rio, you will likely be better off paying for a hotel that is closer to the action as the cost of transportation and the time it takes to go back and forth to Barra de Tijuca will definitely take its toll after a while.
Av. Embaixador Abelardo Bueno, 1430 - Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22775-040, Brazil