Engenho Velho Beach Tours and Activities

The hotel has three basic issues: 1) Bad construction of the bathroom creates a flood with every shower, even using just the handheld. 2) Strong odours, our bathroom, after having requested a room change, smelt like a dog had recently been groomed. It is a pet friendly hotel, that’s positive, but several other spaces in the hotel had unpleasant odours. 3) Lack of hotel management presence, too many minor details that some good leadership would resolve. Apart from that, helpful and friendly staff, in particular the front desk and great quiet location.

I stayed at Ipanema Inn for a few nights during a solo trip to Rio and would stay again if I’m back. From check-in to assisting with booking any tours/tickets/dinner reservations Fred at the front desk was always so helpful and greeted me by name every time he was there. Fred made it so easy to plan my adventures, helped with suggestions anytime I needed, was very responsive on WhatsApp when I was out exploring Rio, and spoke great English which helped my lack of Portuguese. The rest of the staff was also great and friendly. The hotel restaurant is nicely decorated and had a delicious and varied breakfast that looked much betterhan what some other hotels in the area offered. I had the filet for dinner at the hotel one night that was perfectly cooked and the fruit tartar desert was delicious. The hotel is centrally located in Ipanema and was a quick walk to nearby restaurants, bars, beach, Arpoador/Leblon were a short ~15 min walk away, and so easy to get an Uber for anywhere else in Rio. I felt very safe walking around the hotel area alone even at night. Being able to grab a beach towel from the front desk and walk straight down the street to the beach chair/umbrella stand (included if you tell them your staying at the inn) made it so easy to enjoy a perfect beach day (although there are also some nicer looking beach clubs a short walk either direction on the beach that I’d check out too). Thanks Ipanema Inn (and Fred) for making my stay in Rio great!

Amazing location and staff. The options of beach chairs, etc is very convenient. Very nice breakfast with a view. We never receive upgrade or have the option of late check out.