And
...of course... the location is right on Copacabana beach.
Step out of the
door and a quick right takes you onto spiffy Avenida Atlantica. Cross the lanes
of traffic and you can run your toes through the sands of the most famous beach
in the world. If you are staying at Debret you can be up, swimming in the
Atlantic or joining in with a game of volleyball all before you settle down to
breakfast.
I cannot
recommend this place enough. It is in the heart of Copacabana near the western
Ipanema/Aproador end and overlooks the famous Avenida Atlantica and the beach.
From it's 11th floor restaurant you can see the entire length of the half-moon
beach with the Sugarloaf in the distance and you have easy access to some of
the best nightlife in Brazil. But best of all, Debret does not cost more then
£30/$45 a night.
It is smack in
the middle of the action within walking distance of the famous 'HELP'
discotheque (owned by football genius Ronaldo) and the nightlife of Copacabana
and Ipanema. Built on the corner of Avenida Atlantica and Rua Feirrera which
leads to the main street of Avenida NS Copacabana and on the main bus route to
Centro. Every taxi driver in Rio knows it and it costs about 50 reals to reach
Copacabana from the airport. Uniformed doormen stand guard and summon taxis or
carry luggage for a small tip. Reception is manned by professionals and the
lobby itself is pleasant with picture windows, leather armchairs and paintings
of Rio.
The standard
rooms are reasonable. They are of a good size with picture window (the more
expensive rooms have views of Copacabana beach), air-conditioning, spacious
bathroom, power-shower, fridge and huge bed. The fridge will be full of soft
drinks and beers, and you will be tempted by the complimentary chocolates.
These are not free and if you indulge then it will be added to your bill at the
end of your stay. There is also a room safe for another 10 reals, it is best to
take full advantage of this and securely lock your passport, money and camera
away each day.
But the highlight
for me was the restaurant on the 11th floor. Take the elevator to the 10th and
then walk up one flight of stairs. Breakfast comes free with the price of the
room and they lay on quite a spread. The choice will be ham, cheese, spicy
sausage, cake, hot chocolate and fresh guava juice. But the best part is the
view through the gigantic picture windows where the whole spread of Copacabana beach is
laid out below you for 4km. The green mountains dip into the sea and the
rounded mound of the Sugarloaf dominates the horizon.
As you sip your
coffee, a view like this reminds you why you were inspired to come to Rio in
the first place.
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