This popular 52-room hotel was opened over 40 years ago and is a good value considering its location in notoriously expensive Copacabana. Outside, potted plants flank the glass doors. The wood-paneled lobby is quite small and features a couple of beige leather sofa sets in front of a coffee table and Brazilian magazines. Free coffee and tea is served throughout the day. There is a desktop computer and quests may print their boarding passes free of charge. 

The Apa hotel is located right in the heart of Copacabana, and while it is only two blocks to the beach, the area can get noisy, crowded, busy, and overwhelming at times, particularly on hot summer weekends. The neighborhood is commercial and thus filled with bars, restaurants, tourist shops, endless pharmacies, banks, and supermarkets. Buses stop in front of the hotel or one block over on the Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana. The closest metro station (Cardeal Arcoverde) is a five- to 10-minute walk away. 

Key Rio sights, such as  Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Christ the Redeemer statue, and the Botanical Gardens can be reached by car in 20 to 30 minutes. The international airport of Galeao is some 30 to 40 minutes away by taxi and the domestic airport (Santos Dumont) can normally be reached within 20 minutes. Note that traffic conditions in Rio may vary greatly, and during peak hours or on rainy days Rio suffers from serious traffic jams. The metro provides the fastest (but limited) option to move around.

The Apa Hotel offers basic but clean rooms and has two floors of smoking rooms. Some rooms have been recently renovated, the rest will undergo a renovation in time for the Olympics in 2016. Rooms range from simple, tiny singles to largish family-style rooms that can sleep up to four people. One triple room is wheelchair accessible. The rooms have a clean and simple look, with ceramic floor tiles and white and peach walls. Beds are made with plaid bedspreads. Bigger rooms offer tables and two or three chairs. Some wear and tear is evident. 

Each room has either a 24- or 32-inch flat-screen TV, a minibar, and a safe. Some rooms come with tiny (standing-room only) balconies. Medium-size bathrooms feature marble counter tops and white ceramic tiled walls and floors. All offer walk-in showers, hairdryers, and simple toiletries.

There's a breakfast room adjacent to the lobby, where a free hot buffet breakfast is served. Room service is also available from morning until late evening. There are six parking spots available for guests in a nearby parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance reservations are accepted. The hotel offers also laundry service and guests may request beach towels from the front desk. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.