JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro [In-Depth Review]

Location, location, location. What the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro may lack in other areas is offset by its incredible location.

This beachfront Brazilian hotel isn’t the most modern hotel in the world, and its furniture isn’t impressive. But there’s no better place to be in the Marvelous City, and the hotel’s staff is second to none. These are the reasons why my wife and I keep returning to this property on visits to Rio de Janeiro.

Here’s a look at our fantastic 1-night stay in November 2024, including our upgrade to an oceanfront suite.

Booking JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro

The JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro participates in the Marriott Bonvoy program, meaning you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points on paid stays or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for an award reservation at this 17-story property. The hotel also advertised the option to pay your bill in up to 3 installments, with a minimum payment of at least R$500 (roughly $83) per payment.

During our Saturday-night stay in November, the hotel was charging $416 for a 2 Twin room or $437 for a 1 King room. That rate included a roughly 5% discount from me holding the Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card.

Either room type was available for 49,000 points, providing a redemption rate of 0.85 cents per point in the 2 Twin room and 0.89 cents per point in the 1 King. Both of those are above our average valuation of Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents apiece.

Suites were also available. You could book a standard suite for a nightly rate of $595, 77,000 points, or 49,000 points plus $140. Suites with an ocean view cost a whopping $832, 119,000 points, or 49,000 points plus $350. The latter was the room we stayed in.

We booked our stay using a 40,000-point Marriott free night award and topped off the award with 9,000 points to complete the reservation. This free night award was the Annual Choice Benefit I picked upon reaching Titanium Elite status this year.

To upgrade to the suite, we used one of my Nightly Upgrade Awards, requesting a suite or ocean suite as our desired room type. I received an email 2 days before check-in saying that the upgrade request was approved for an oceanfront suite.

Hot Tip:

Numerous Marriott Bonvoy credit cards can give you a free night award automatically just for holding the card each year. These can easily justify the annual fee on these cards year after year.

Location of the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro

The hotel sits on Avenida Atlântica, directly across from Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, the largest city and namesake of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state. The hotel is surrounded by restaurants and cafés and is a short distance from several of Rio’s most popular tourist spots, such as Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açucar) and Ipanema Beach. Both are within 10 minutes by car.

The hotel is a few blocks from the Siqueira Campos/Copacabana subway stop on Rio’s Line 1 (orange line). Further afield, Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) is about 20 to 25 minutes away by car.

Rio’s smaller airport, Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), sits about 15 minutes from the hotel by car, while the larger Rio de Janeiro-Galeão (GIG) is roughly a 25-minute ride.

Checking In

Our Uber driver dropped us off at the hotel’s main entrance just after noon. A pair of bellhops arrived immediately to open the car doors and offer assistance with our luggage. Their smiles and warmth were infectious.

There were steps and a ramp leading up to the bright 2-story lobby, which had an old-meets-new vibe.

The center of the lobby had multiple tables with chairs.

There were several small reception desks, and these weren’t directly in front of us. Instead, they were along the wall on the right side. Each desk had an employee, and they were busy helping other customers. We didn’t wait long, however.

When it was our turn, a woman overflowing with friendliness welcomed us to the hotel and quickly found our reservation on the computer. We quickly admitted that we knew we were early and inquired whether our room was ready. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, as the guests in the suites had just checked out.

She proactively offered to hold our luggage until the room was ready, saying we could use the hotel’s beach services (covered in the amenities section) or pool or visit the restaurant for lunch. As we’d just arrived from an international trip, we asked about a place to change clothes, and employees were more than accommodating, letting us use the locker rooms near the rooftop spa to change out of sweatpants and into shorts. They even charged my dying cell phone in a back room while we went around the corner to get lunch.

As we sorted everything out, we looked around the lobby and noted the incredible variety of seating. In the front right corner, an area called Soul Space had a garden vibe with lots of natural sunlight from windows facing the beach.

In this area, there were even bird’s nest hanging chairs and infused water for guests. Along the wall nearby, several semicircular booths provided additional seating.

The other corner along the front of the hotel had a business-style area with a pair of computers, a table and chairs, and an L-shaped couch.

At the rear of the lobby and 1 floor up, there also was a piano.

When we returned to the hotel around 2 p.m., our room still wasn’t ready. Staff members offered to continue holding our luggage until we returned from the soccer game we were going to, which would be several hours later.

Around 7 p.m., we returned to complete our check-in. Different employees were at the desk, and they informed us that our luggage had already been taken to our room. They also confirmed that we’d been upgraded to a 1 King Ocean Suite room.

The employee handling our check-in gave us a brief overview of the hotel’s main amenities before outlining the elite perks we were eligible for.

Elite Benefits

The hotel provided several perks from my Marriott Titanium Elite status. We received complimentary breakfast at the Carioca restaurant. I also received 1,000 bonus points as a welcome gift and an offer of 4 p.m. late checkout. We gladly accepted the late checkout offer, though we’d only be staying until 2 p.m. the next day.

Because we were staying in a suite, we had access to the hotel’s Executive Lounge. However, if we had been in a standard room, we still would’ve had lounge access courtesy of my status.

Hot Tip:

Learn how to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status to provide more perks on your next stay.

1 King Ocean Suite

We stayed in room 1020, on the 10th floor. This corner room had a view over Copacabana Beach. The hallways were cream-colored and mostly plain, save for some lines in the carpet’s pattern.

Interestingly, the square layout and central atrium meant that even rooms in the center of the hotel had a window and possibly a small balcony.

The elevators were on the opposite side of the atrium from our room, so we passed around this open space every time we left or returned to our room. The skylight let in light while keeping the rain out.

The hallway on floors 10 and above also had views toward the beach.

We had a corner suite with a wooden door that didn’t slam or make a loud noise when closing — what a treat.

Half Bathroom

As soon as we entered, there was a small half-bathroom on the left. It had a mirror above the sink and had a toilet, though not much else.

Living Room

Moving into the room, there was a small nook with a round, wooden table and 4 wooden chairs immediately past the half bathroom.

We found a welcome gift of fruits and fresh coconuts — sitting on cute bamboo stands — waiting on the table.

There also was a note welcoming us to the Marvelous City — Rio’s nickname, or A Cidade Maravilhosa in Portuguese.

On the opposite wall was a minibar composed of a wooden cabinet with a marble countertop. On top, we had bottled water, a single-cup Illy coffee machine, and supplies for coffee like pods, sugar, and disposable cups. There also were snacks and alcohol for sale here, including a price list. They included cookies, chocolates, liquor, chips, and more.

Inside the wooden cabinet, a minifridge held beer, sparkling water, Gatorade, juice boxes, and sodas, including the Brazilian brand Guaraná Antarctica — a must-try in Brazil.

The other door in the cabinet led to some shelving and a small safe.

At the far end, there was a small living room with a coffee table, artwork, lamps, and a couch that held a foldout bed.

On the opposite wall was a desk with a high-back chair and a mounted TV. The desk held a phone and notepad.

Bedroom

There was a door between the living room and bedroom. Our suite had a comfortable bedroom in white, black, and brown tones.

The king bed had just the right amount of support to be comfortable, though the pillows could’ve used a bit more support to avoid that sinking feeling.

The bed was flanked by wooden nightstands and lamps. One nightstand held the TV remote and a QR code for room service. The other nightstand had bottled water, drinking glasses, and multiple outlets on the wall nearby — something the other side of the bed lacked. Each nightstand had 3 drawers.

A large TV was on the wall opposite the bed. However, the doorway was directly across from the bed, so the TV was actually off to the side a bit and didn’t rotate, so it felt odd.

On one side of the bathroom door, there was a closet with a sliding door and multiple shelves on one side.

On the shelves, we found a hair dryer in a bag and 2 pairs of JW Marriott-branded flip-flops.

On the other side of the closet were hangers, robes, an iron, an ironing board, and a laundry bag.

At the far end of the room, there was a leather armchair with an ottoman and a folding luggage rack. The window had both daytime and blackout curtains.

Windows from the living room and bedroom looked directly over Copacabana Beach and its famous patterned sidewalk.

Master Bathroom

With the suite’s layout, entering the bathroom required a U-turn back toward the hallway, such that the half bath and bathroom shared a wall. The bathroom had checkered floors, off-white walls, a white ceiling, marble pattern, solid wood, black marble … it was quite the combination of colors and patterns.

On the left, there was both a toilet and a bidet.

Moving clockwise around the bathroom, the shower box was between the toilet and the bathtub. A glass door led to a space that was small but not cramped. The water pressure was excellent, and the water heated up quickly. Pump bottles of toiletries didn’t identify the brand, but the products had a nice citrus smell.

The door rack could hold 1 towel, though the hook for the other towel was strangely across the bathroom — near the door.

Next to the shower box, there was a bathtub with a handheld wand and fixtures that recalled an era gone by. There were no jets in the tub.

Moving clockwise, on the far right, there was a sink with copious counter space on its marble countertop, set on top of a wooden stand with several drawers. Below the mirror, there was a glass shelf for convenience.

On the shelf, we found drinking glasses at one end and a black box jam-packed with toiletries on the other side. It had everything from cotton balls and cotton swabs to makeup pads, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a razor, a loofah, and more.

On the counter, we had a large pump bottle of lotion and a very small bottle of liquid hand soap.

Amenities

Executive Lounge

The hotel had a lounge on the ninth floor, and some features were available 24 hours a day. Entry required tapping your key card, and the lounge was open to those with Platinum Elite status or higher and those staying in rooms or suites with lounge access.

The hallway inside the lounge had a glass wall between it and the atrium, which was interesting since our floor didn’t have glass in front of the open atrium.

There was a large seating area facing the beach, which was open to the next few floors above. Multiple types of seating were available.

There was also a computer and printer guests could use in the lounge.

Beach Equipment

This was a great feature at the hotel, but sadly, we didn’t have time to use it. The hotel had an agreement with chair and umbrella providers on the beach. You left your key card with them as a deposit to use the equipment for free and received your key card back when you returned the equipment.

Parking

The hotel offered valet parking at $17 per day.

Elevators

Beyond the lobby, the hotel had a bank of 3 elevators. There wasn’t any seating in the elevator waiting area — not on the ground floor, the lounge floor (ninth), or our guest floor (10th).

The elevators had polished wood and mirrors, and pressing a button for a floor with guest rooms required tapping your key card. Inside the elevators, a metal sign listed which amenities were on which floors.

The elevators ran from the rooftop to the 2 underground floors with meeting and event spaces.

Internet

Complimentary Wi-Fi was available throughout the hotel. The connection was stable and reliable, and we got download speeds above 30 Mbps.

Gym

The hotel’s gym was on the rooftop, and access required tapping your key card. The fitness center was open 24 hours a day.

Though small, the gym had numerous ellipticals, treadmills, bikes, weight machines, a bench, and free weights. There was also a TV on the wall.

The fitness center also had a room with space for doing your own activities, whether that was yoga, stretching, medicine balls, exercise balls, or just checking yourself out in the numerous mirrors.

The hallway leading into the gym had a scale, sanitizer, a few small cubbies, and a water cooler.

Sauna

The hotel’s sauna was inside the fitness center and was also available 24 hours a day. Walls in the bathrooms had multicolored tiles, while doors to the showers were frosted glass. The bathroom area inside the sauna also had a pair of sinks, lotion, and a hair dryer.

The showers had rainfall showerheads and pump bottles of Native Amazon products attached to the wall.

There were numerous lockers next to the sauna, and there was an adjustable thermostat next to the wooden door to enter the sauna.

The dry sauna room had a typical wooden setup with a bench.

Rooftop

The rooftop also had an outdoor space with seating and open spaces for events. Seating types varied, and some were covered while others weren’t.

The rooftop provided views in 3 directions, including the ocean in front and Pão de Açúcar — Sugarloaf Mountain — to the left.

Along with high-top tables and chairs were short wicker chairs paired with 2-person dark blue basket-looking seats with a cushion that we liked. These had matching tables with a wooden top and recessed bowl to prevent drinks from blowing away or spilling.

To the right were views down Avenida Atlántica toward the point where Copacabana becomes Ipanema. Since most buildings in the area were shorter than the hotel, the views were unobstructed.

There also were restrooms on the rooftop.

Pool

The rooftop also had a small pool, which was open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

The pool had lounge chairs with shade umbrellas on 2 sides.

A small outdoor shower was in the corner.

The pool had an accessibility lift and and a lifeguard chair, though we never saw a lifeguard sitting in it.

Spa

The spa was also on the top floor, and we found it before exiting the door to go onto the outdoor space of the rooftop. It was open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

A friendly receptionist sat at the desk and could answer questions, book treatments, and attach the bill to your room’s folio.

Before the spa itself, there was a small waiting area with a few chairs, plus tea and water for guests. There were also lockers nearby.

The spa’s rooms were named after neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, such as Flamengo and Botafogo. Each room had a small area with wind chimes and towels near a sink and a few cabinets. The massage rooms also had a massage table in the center.

Meeting and Event Spaces

The hotel had 14 different event rooms, 6 breakout rooms, and 7,880 square feet of total event space. The largest room could hold up to 250 guests. Some of the rooms were on the first floor overlooking the open lobby below, while others were on the 2 underground floors.

Food and Beverages

Executive Lounge

Along with its 24-hour-a-day seating and computer offerings, the lounge on the ninth floor also offered 24-hour-a-day snacks in grab-and-go fashion plus a nightly happy hour from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The lounge also offered breakfast each morning from 6:30 to 11 a.m.

The lounge also had a microwave, espresso machine, and multiple coolers that held bottled water, juice, Pepsi products, and beer.

The Carioca

“Carioca” is the name for people from the state of Rio de Janeiro, and the Carioca was the hotel’s main restaurant, found on the first floor. It offered breakfast from 6:30 to 11 a.m., lunch from noon to 3 p.m., and dinner from 7 to 10 p.m.

We had breakfast here during our only morning at the hotel, and the buffet was simply incredible. Options included numerous hot dishes like bacon, sausage, and potatoes but also more unusual offerings like sauteed vegetables.

There were also pancakes, waffles, pão de queijo (the famous Brazilian cheese bread), and even corn on the cob.

Buffet items were labeled in both English and Portuguese. The allergen indications on the signs were haphazard, though. For example, the potatoes had numerous indicators and also called out that they were vegan.

On the other hand, the sign for the pancakes had no information, but these likely had milk in them.

The oatmeal, however, mentioned milk in the English description but not the Portuguese description, and it didn’t have any allergen symbols.

There was an impressive amount of pastries available.

And the buffet had a small salad bar.

Fresh fruit was in the center of the buffet, and with good reason. It was incredibly fresh and delicious.

Along with orange juice, the buffet also had a “detox juice.” But the real surprises here were the Champagne and fresh coconut water.

If you were lucky, you could snag a table along the windows to get breakfast with a view over Copacabana Beach.

Café Illy Bar

The lobby bar was open from noon to 10 p.m. daily and served everything from black coffee and espressos to beers, sodas, and espresso martinis.

There was ample seating nearby, including stools at the bar, the semicircular booths along the wall, and the tables and chairs in the center of the lobby.

Moonlounge Rooftop Bar

Among the many other amenities on the rooftop, there was also a rooftop bar. The Moonlounge Rooftop Bar was open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. From Friday to Sunday, it stayed open until 10 p.m.

While the bar itself was small and only had 3 stools, there was ample seating nearby. The views were the main draw here, and bartenders could serve anything from wine and beer to cocktails and mocktails.

Room Service

The hotel offered in-room dining 24 hours a day. Options included light bites and the Carioca’s menu.

Service

Service at this hotel was beyond exceptional. I’ll highlight a few key examples.

While arriving at a hotel to find out your room isn’t ready can be a bummer, the staff went far beyond our expectations to roll out the red carpet in the meantime. They charged my phone in the back office while we went to lunch. And they gave us key cards to access the rooftop so we could use the gym’s locker rooms to change clothes after our long travel day. Employees even offered to get towels for us if we wanted to shower before changing.

Staff also took the initiative to deliver our luggage to our room once it was ready, even though we wouldn’t return for a few hours.

Moreover, every employee we interacted with was genuinely friendly, offering help where possible — calling for a taxi, lifting luggage into or out of a car’s trunk, or just asking if we needed directions to a certain hotel facility. Waiters at breakfast personified this friendliness, chatting casually while getting lattes and ensuring we knew where to find items on the buffet.

Checkout

As we’d booked with points and didn’t charge anything to our room, our final bill was small — just a few dollars for the city’s hotel tax. We encountered yet another friendly employee at the desk, and she released the hold from my credit card while asking if we needed help finding a taxi or information for our onward journey.

As we headed out the door to meet our Uber driver, staff once again rushed to help with our belongings. And they once again sent us off with warm smiles and wishes for a speedy return.

Final Thoughts

The JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro didn’t have the most beautiful or technologically advanced hotel rooms, but it excelled with service in ways that other hotels can’t match. It also has a world-class location (with matching world-class views) and a fantastic breakfast buffet. This is a great place to stay during your next trip to Rio de Janeiro.