The Copacabana Sol Hotel is an unassuming terraced building set on leafy Santa Clara road, in the beachy Copacabana district of Rio. Its lobby is stylish, with gray marbled floors and simple, largely monotone decor. Modern artwork hangs on the white walls and a scattering of contemporary ornaments sit on sideboards and tables. Guests checking in can relax on white leather or black rattan sofas, and the many plants and palms create a pleasant, low-key atmosphere. The dining room is equally laid back, though style here is a little more dated -- as with many mid-range hotels in this part of town. The hotel attracts a mix of guests, mostly families and couples looking for a budget-friendly base to explore the city or chill on the beach, but also many business travelers.

The Cocacabana Sol Hotel is set a couple of blocks back from the main beachfront strip, with plenty of shops and restaurants within a few minutes' walk. Cocacabana Beach, which stretches for seemingly limitless blocks, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and the beachfront promenade is lined with bars and restaurants. The neighborhood is also the home of Rio's Museum of Image and Sound. There are good bus connections locally, with stops near the hotel, and Siqueira Campos Metro station is a five-minute walk from the property. A direct route by bus to Rio Sul mall -- which has a good mix of cheap and designer goods -- takes less than 10 minutes, while it's about 15 minutes by bus to Copacabana Fort on the headland. The best way to the airport is by car, which is a 30- to 40-minute journey, though traffic can be a beast in the area.

Rooms at the Copacabana Sol Hotel are somewhat dated and plain, but offer a decent amount of space when compared to nearby options, and some have small street-side balconies. It's worth noting that some rooms have views onto neighboring buildings or the hotel's light well, and lower-floor rooms can suffer from road noise. All rooms are air-conditioned and come in a variety of configurations, sleeping up to four. Amenities such as minibars, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and safes come as standard. Wi-Fi can be a little spotty. Bathrooms are a mixed bag -- entry-level rooms sport '70s style peach fixtures and tiling, and others have more neutral white-and-gray color schemes. All include glass-screened showers, except the Suites, which add a jetted tubs. Basic toiletries are provided, but there are no hairdryers.

The Copacabana Sol Hotel has just the necessities when it comes to features, though a few extras are a welcome surprise for a hotel of this caliber. A bar and restaurant serve a free buffet breakfast, plus meals and drinks throughout the day. Room service is available until late in the evening. There's a gym that's fairly small, but has a good collection of equipment -- predominantly weight-training machines plus a couple of cardio options. The steam room is a nice addition. Wi-Fi is free, though can be patchy in the rooms, and there's a 24-hour front desk with services that include luggage storage and tour bookings.