Miramar Hotel by Windsor is an upscale option in Copcabana's charming and vibrant Posto 6 area, a short walk from Ipanema. The hotel's top feature is its rooftop infinity pool with poolside bar and sweeping views of the ocean and mountains, though the famous beach across the street probably also merits a mention. There's a restaurant on site that serves an excellent free breakfast buffet, and the hotel's 200 sophisticated rooms have high-end touches like Nespresso machines and premium bath products -- some rooms come with ocean views. The hotel has more style than the nearby Orla Copacabana, though rates there can be significantly lower. 

Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana is a four-pearl hotel just across the road from quiet Leme Beach at the northern end of Copacabana. The Cardeal Arcoverde Metro station is less than 15 minutes from the hotel on foot, and the property offers a spa, hot tubs, fitness room, and two pools including one on the roof with great ocean views. The hotel also serves a busy free breakfast buffet with an excellent range of options. The 545 modern rooms are plush and inviting, and many have views of the ocean. Guests looking for a true luxury option in the area should consider the Belmond Copacabana Palace, though rates will be much higher.

The Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel is located across the street from the popular Copacabana beach. This clean, 117-room hotel is a good mid-range option with simple, sleek decor including blonde wood floors, small modern bathrooms, and a nearly all-white color palette. All rooms have stocked minibars and electric kettles, and some have balconies overlooking the ocean. The small rooftop pool, poolside bar, and fitness center all have great views, and on the beach, attendants provide guests with towels, chairs, and umbrellas. There are also tasty on-site restaurants (one with a free breakfast buffet), and 24-hour room service is available. However, there is a pesky fee for Wi-Fi and the spa only offers limited services.

The Arena Copacabana Hotel boasts a superb location on Copacabana beach. After a 2009 renovation, the public areas are elegant, and feature interesting contemporary details and artwork. The clean and comfortable rooms have basic (bordering on bland) decor and are available in three categories, and the hotel also offers oceanfront suites. The rooftop swimming pool features one of the best views in Rio: both of Copacabana and of the Christ the Redeemer. The rates are quite affordable to Copacabana standards.

The Windsor Palace is an upper-mid-range hotel that has a central Copacabana location. This 18-floor hotel -- just a block from the beach -- underwent a renovation in 2014 and has 85 clean and spacious rooms with some balconies. A rooftop swimming pool, adjacent fitness center, free ride to the airport, and free Wi-Fi throughout are nice bonuses, but there's a charge for breakfast. Overall, this hotel is a good pick with cleaner and fresher rooms than what's usually found at this price point. 

The Windsor Martinique offers a convenient beach location just a short walk from the Posto 5 area at Copacabana Beach. This mid-range hotel gets high marks for its location, cleanliness of rooms, and helpful front desk staff. Standard and Superior rooms are comfortable (though Standard rooms are small) and include 21-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. Free breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi keep overall costs low, while a tiny rooftop swimming pool, bar, full restaurant, and small fitness center are nice extras. 

This mid-range hotel in the Leme district of north Copacabana offers clean, basic, colorful rooms, including large Family Rooms. The most appealing part of the hotel is its bright, stylish lobby with fresh orchids and a tropical feel. Amenities include free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service. There is no swimming pool, unlike at some other mid-range options (Windsor Martinique or Ibiza Copacabana), but the hotel is just a block away from Copacabana beach. The nearest metro station (Cardial Arcoverde) can be reached in a 10- to 15-minute walk.

The Windsor Excelsior is a three-pearl hotel with one of the best views in Copacabana, especially from its sea-facing Executive Suites and Deluxe Rooms. Most of the 233 rooms were updated in 2012, though the bathrooms look dated and decor is generic. The rooftop has a fantastic swimming pool area, with picture-perfect views over the Copacabana beach and a larger-than-average pool for Rio. Other perks include 24-hour room-service, a hot buffet breakfast, a fitness center, and two saunas. Note that there's a fee for Wi-Fi and no parking on-site. 

A budget hotel along busy Avenida Princesa Isabela street, Leme offers clean, basic (and dated) rooms with LCD TVs and minibars. Most bathrooms are quite small. Upper rooms facing the street have partial sea views. The hotel targets business travelers as well as tourists, and offers six meetings rooms, a business center, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Other notable features include 24-hour room-service, a rooftop swimming pool, gym and sauna, and a ground-floor restaurant that serves international cuisine. The hotel is two blocks away from the world-famous Copacabana beach. The nearest metro station (Cardial Arcoverde) is about seven blocks away and can be reached in a 10- to 15-minute walk. Free parking and free airport pick-up service are a great bonuses.

Golden Tulip Rio Copacabana -- an upper-mid-range hotel -- offers a picture-perfect beachfront location at Posto 5 area in Copacabana. Following a three-year renovation, the hotel now offers a fresh and contemporary look in the public areas, and a modern look in the rooms. Oceanfront rooms come with spectacular sea views and the Club Lounge offers a stylish living room type facility serving continental gourmet breakfast and free drinks in the late afternoons to those who book a Club Level room. The stylish rooftop pool has phenomenal views over Copacabana beach and Sugarloaf Mountain. Freebies include Wi-Fi and a breakfast buffet with hot and cold items. Overall, this is an excellent spot for families and couples looking for a beach vacation, although room decor is bland.

The Royal Rio Palace is an inexpensive, all-inclusive option in the heart of Copacabana. It is conveniently located; just two blocks from the beach and one block from the nearest metro station (Cardeal Arcoverde). Each room features an LCD-TV, minibar, and safe. The bathrooms are quite spacious by Copacabana standards, and some come with bathtubs, but overall decor is bland. The hotel has a great rooftop swimming pool area with views. Adjacent to it is a pool bar, and a small, but modern, fitness center and steam room.The neighborhood is lively with bars, restaurants, shops, and theaters.

The Promenade Princess Copacabana is a popular mid-range apartment hotel two blocks from the beach. It's located along a quiet side-street, two minutes walking distance from the Cantagalo metro station. The hotel offers 44 slightly worn Junior Suites that are spacious, clean, and nicely decorated with modern furniture. Each comes with a small kitchenette and balcony. There isn't an on-site restaurant or bar, but a free breakfast buffet is served every morning. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and a swimming pool, steam room, sauna, and a small gym are nice extras. 

The Olinda Rio Hotel has two main draws -- its central Copacabana location right on the beachfront, and its charming Art Deco style, particularly in common areas. Unfortunately this style doesn't reach the 98 rooms, and bathrooms in particular are in need of attention. Despite the dated look, features include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Guests rave about the grand lobby with views of the sea and live piano music, and the buffet breakfast in the hotel's restaurant is included in rates. The Olinda is a good value for a beachfront hotel, with most nearby options being much pricier, so travelers who prefer more facilities in this price range will have to look at hotels few blocks back from the beach -- like the Majestic Rio Palace Hotel.

Orla Copacabana Hotel offers a prime location at the south end of Copacabana, just across from the beach on Avenida Atlantica. This mid-range option serves a free hot-and-cold breakfast buffet, and has a sauna, fitness center, and rooftop plunge pool with terrific views of the ocean and Sugarloaf Mountain. The 115 rooms aren't exciting, but they are pleasant and include standard comforts like minibars, free basic Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. The hotel's location in Posto 5 is a short walk from sunset views at Arpoador as well as Ipanema nightlife. For funkier, boutique rooms closer to Ipanema (but farther from the beach), try the Casa Mosquito, but expect to pay much higher rates.

The four-pearl Pestana Rio Atlantica is located on lively Copacabana Beach. The 217 rooms are clean and verge on chic with modern features like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Some rooms overlook the beach, but they look a bit tired. The hotel’s amenities include a pretty rooftop pool, beach facility, buffet restaurant, free breakfast, spa, and plenty of meeting facilities. Service is overall good, but with a generally booked hotel, it can feel overcrowded at breakfast, in the pool area, or in front of the elevators. As an alternative, it may be worth pricing the beachfront Golden Tulip Regente which underwent renovations in 2015.