Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme

You come here for a city break with the beach close by, not for a sealed-off resort where the outside world has been politely removed. Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme puts you in a practical four-star base for exploring Rio, with a rooftop pool, a bar and panoramic views waiting upstairs when the day's walking has finally caught up with you.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside Spanish and Portuguese, so you can deal with the useful things without resorting to underwater hand signals. The hotel also welcomes families and pets, and its 24-hour reception, concierge and luggage storage make it suited to a stay that may involve early arrivals, late departures or a fair amount of city logistics.

There is room here for a proper evening reset: air conditioning in the bedroom, food downstairs, a terrace above and WiFi throughout the hotel. Not glamorous for the sake of it; simply the sort of arrangement that works when you want Rio outside your door and a comfortable bed inside it.

The address is Rua Gustavo Sampaio 320 in Leme, Rio de Janeiro, on the western end of the Copacabana neighbourhood. Leme Beach is about 450 metres away, close enough for a walk before breakfast or a change of scenery when the rooftop starts to feel too familiar. Copacabana Beach is about 700 metres away on foot, while the famous sweep of Ipanema is 4.5 miles from the hotel.

You are not short of things to do nearby. The Parque Natural Municipal Paisagem Carioca is roughly 450 metres away, Duque de Caxias Fort is about 0.8 miles away and Sugarloaf Mountain is around 2.9 miles away. The local choice is therefore pleasingly broad: beach, urban greenery, military history and one of Rio's defining landmarks, without having to turn every outing into an expedition.

For getting around, Cardeal Arcoverde metro station is about 1.2 miles away. Santos Dumont Airport is around 5 miles from the hotel, and Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport about 12 miles away. Restaurants sit almost on the doorstep, including Boteco Belmonte, roughly 200 feet away, and São Sebastião, around 150 feet away.

The rooms are set up for recovery rather than theatrical grandeur. Air conditioning takes the edge off Rio's heat, while wooden flooring, a work desk, an electronic safe and a private bathroom with shower and hairdryer cover the useful basics. You also get a flat-screen television with Netflix, which is handy when your legs have had enough sightseeing and your brain has had enough Brazilian geography for one day.

For a couple, the Superior Queen Room gives you a king-size bed, while the Executive Double Room adds a partial sea view and a super-king-size bed. That is the one to look at if the view matters to you and the room is part of the holiday rather than merely somewhere to leave a suitcase. The twin layout suits two friends who prefer separate beds, and the family category combines a king-size bed with a sofa bed.

Families are catered for, but check the selected room carefully: the listed family room accommodates two guests, and extra beds are not available. Cots can be requested for children aged two and under, subject to the chosen room. For everyone else, the important detail is the bed itself. The hotel has been particularly noted for comfortable beds, which is exactly the sort of praise that matters more than another decorative cushion when you are trying to sleep properly.

Breakfast is a continental buffet with tapioca, eggs and fruit, giving you more useful fuel than a lonely pastry and a cup of coffee. It is the sort of start that lets you get out towards the beach or the city without immediately hunting for another meal. Breakfast can also be taken in your room if the morning has started slowly.

The Poty restaurant covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu signed by chef Marcelo Leão. The menu's precise cuisine is not defined here, but the chef's involvement gives the restaurant a clear identity rather than leaving it as anonymous hotel dining. Room service is available, so you can eat without putting shoes back on after a long day out.

There is a gourmet bar, along with a snack bar and an on-site coffee house. A happy hour is also available. Special-diet menus can be requested, and children’s meals are offered. With restaurants such as Boteco Belmonte only a few steps away, you can choose between staying put for a straightforward hotel evening or walking out for something more local.

The rooftop is the main attraction when you are not at the beach or out in Rio. An outdoor pool sits above the city with panoramic views, joined by a bar, sun terrace and outdoor furniture. It is a useful place to cool down, read a few pages and let the day's exertions become somebody else's problem for a while.

Sun loungers, beach chairs, umbrellas and a solarium give you several versions of doing very little. The fitness centre covers the more energetic option, although after a full day on your feet, using it may require a level of character that is not compulsory on holiday. A massage chair is also available for a quieter form of maintenance.

For families, there is a kids' area and a games room, so the hotel can absorb some of the time between outings. The nearby beach gives you an easy change of scene, while the concierge can help with the practical business of arranging a city day. Couples can keep things simple: pool, rooftop view, dinner, and no obligation to improve the itinerary every hour.

Check-in is from 2pm and check-out is by midday. You will need photo identification and a credit card at arrival, and the hotel asks you to share your expected arrival time in advance. A 24-hour reception, private and express check-in and check-out, concierge service and luggage storage make the arrival process easier to manage around flights.

An airport shuttle is available as a paid service and should be arranged with the hotel. Santos Dumont Airport is about 5 miles away; Galeão International Airport is around 12 miles away. WiFi is free throughout the hotel, and room service, laundry, dry cleaning and ironing services are available for the practical jobs that tend to accumulate during a longer trip.

Pets up to 10 kg are welcome. The hotel has lifts, step-free access and accessible rooms, with wheelchair access, grab rails and adapted bathroom features. Children of all ages are welcome, while guests aged 16 and over are charged as adults. Cash, Visa and Mastercard are accepted.