I stayed at Hotel Vermont twice during a recent trip to Rio and wouldn't hesitate to stay again.
The rooms are fairly basic, but they're clean, well maintained, and everything worked as it should. I stayed in two different rooms on the 9th floor and found both to be very quiet. One air conditioning unit was a little louder than the other, but it cooled the room well and quickly became white noise. The shower had good water pressure, and I appreciated having a mini-fridge for drinks and snacks, and a room safe to store my valuables.
The real highlight of the hotel is the staff. Everyone (from front desk to housekeeping to the restaurant) I encountered was friendly and welcoming, but I'd especially like to recognize the gentleman who greets guests at the entrance and assists with luggage. He has such a warm personality and genuinely seems to enjoy helping people.
The breakfast buffet offered a good variety of hot and cold items, with plenty of fresh fruit and juices. It was a great way to start the day.
The location is excellent—just a short walk to Ipanema Beach, restaurants, cafés, shops and the General Osório Metro station, making it easy to explore the city.
Overall, Hotel Vermont offers excellent value for money. It's not a luxury hotel, but it provides comfortable accommodations, genuinely friendly service, and an unbeatable location. It became a welcoming home base during my time in Rio.