Majestic Rio Palace Hotel (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Close enough to walk to Copacabana beach and its abundance of lively attractions, this hotel is also far enough away to retreat from the revelry when tired. Markets, restaurants, ATMs and a metro station are all easily reached on foot through neighbourhoods that reviewers say are abundantly safe.

Reviewers routinely rave about the quality and variety purveyed at the breakfast buffet. An elaborate selection of hot and cold fare kicks off the day in style, while delicious eggs made to order are invariably popular. An abundance of fresh fruit is a highlight of many a morning.

Taking into account the hotel's lively location, brilliant breakfast and superb customer service, you might expect to pay a much higher room rate. Numerous guests are pleasantly surprised at the costs incurred here, which are significantly less than at similar establishments in the vicinity.

Outmoded furniture and old bathroom fittings have a tired and outdated feel. Unmovable stains and mould on bathtubs have annoyed some, while hard, dirty mattresses under clean but thin sheets have put off some sleepers. Recent comments suggest improvements are underway.

Road-facing rooms are badly affected by traffic, while thin walls and wooden floors mean sounds from other rooms are often imposing. Loud plumbing has lessened the experience for some reviewers, while even more claim that the old AC units are deafeningly loud and impossible to sleep through.

Historically, one consistent complaint relates to Wi-Fi. Business travellers despaired at intermittent connections, while tourists wanting to check email have been disappointed at the daily rate. However, the most recent reviews suggest the service is now complimentary, and that connections are faster and more stable.