HOTEL IBIS COPACABANA POSTO 2 -- RIO DE JANEIRO - 6

RESPONSIVE STAFF 

About the only negative I read in online reviews of the Ibis Copa Posto 2 were about a front desk perceived as aloof and lacking in English skills.

I found the opposite. 

Granted, the first person I talked to started giving off that “I know some English, but you are talking to fast, with too much slang and not enough context for me to keep up with” look. 

Quickly and politely they summoned a co-worker with English skills darn near as good as a native speakers.

Problem solved, warmly. 

I asked for an extra towel and flat sheet right at the front desk and they tossed them to me with a smile in a moment. 

I get up to my room and cannot find the converter I know I packed to give my phone charger access to power.

I go to the lobby. 

No problem, they hand my 3 converter plugs. 

Then I realize I forgot pack a step down transformer for my razor. 

Wow, I’m going to kill a couple hours hunting for one on the street and pay a big price for something I may not bring back home, I thought.

I sheepishly return to the same front desk crew and explain my situation.

Seconds later, a sturdy transformer is handed over to me to sign out for the duration of my stay – no cost at all. 

This is far above and beyond the amenities one would expect from a budget-minded property.

http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-6497-ibis-copacabana-posto-2/index.shtml

HOTEL IBIS COPACABANA POSTO 2 -- RIO DE JANEIRO - 5

QUIET SETTINGS 

When I checked in, my only request was a quiet room. 

The friendly front desk staffer asked if I wanted a higher floor, a lower or street or rear-facing room. 

The room that is the most tranquil, I answered each time. 

The person said I would be on the first (first one above ground floor lobby) floor.

I asked about street noises.

“This is the quietest street in Copa” the person said. 

He was not BSing.

Being on the first floor, I could be down one level and on the streets in no time. 

I heard a little bit of delivery truck sounds, but adjusted to it the first day. 

A two night guest on my eastern wall had the TV up a bit loud a bit late, but a white noise app on the phone masked that annoyance in no time.

I’m also big on privacy. 

Once I configure my pillow, extra bed sheet, luggage, belongings – I really don’t want anybody messing with it.

Ibis is probably the first hotel of the hundreds I’ve stayed with that actually respected the “do not make up room” sign for as long as I had it up. 

No maids knocking during nap town. 

No panicked call from the front desk twisting my arm for a housekeeping visit. 

The maids replenished the things I needed when I asked them for supplies in the hallway.

HOTEL IBIS COPACABANA POSTO 2 -- RIO DE JANEIRO - 4

EFFICIENT ROOM

I chuckled a bit when my online booking called my room an apartment. More like a smallish cruise ship cabin.

But a perfect one.

A desk by the window.

A big bed. 

A shower with endless hot water. 

A big sink for shaving, laying out all the toiletries, etc.

A nice dorm-sized fridge.

Came in handy for storing sodas, bottled water, snacks and lots of pastries bought in the neighborhood for the next day’s breakfast. 

The safe was huge and easy to use.

I fit my camera, passport, hidden stash of backup cash and large laptop in with room to spare.

Even when I splurged on jewelry for my wife, the items fit in the safe along with the aforementioned articles.