Ouro Verde Hotel

• Review
• Monday, March 31, 2008

All too often, Copacabana beachfront hotels tend to be overpriced, lacking in character, or both. Refreshingly, Ouro Verde is neither. This 1950s building sits at the Leme end of Avenida Atlantica (the road that runs alongside the beachfront) and is full of kooky art deco touches. The location is nice and quiet (for Copa), and at around R$250-300 or a double room, the price is excellent for the location. 
Front-facing rooms on the upper floors have lovely views over the beach and the ocean, while some of those at the back look up to Corcovado and the Christ statue. Downstair, there’s an old-fashioned ’drawing room’ with (admittedly a little tatty) antique chairs and tables, plus stacks of newspapers and magazines to help you brush up on your Portuguese!
The hotel’s restaurant is French-themed, and is kitted out to vaguely resemble a Parisan bistro. Meals here are hardly the best in RIo, but you will get a good breakfast. 
The hotel also has its own bar, open to the public, which has been recently refurbished and now fancies itself as something of a fashionable ’youth’ venue, with regular DJs, live bands, and good cocktails. Much of Rio’s best nightlife is a cab ride away from the hotel, but if you want Copacabana beachfront accomodation with character and at a decent price, this is your best bet.