With the rise in brasilian currency the Sofitel is not too expensive anymore (for a great gym, internet access and a solid hotel). You can get a room (no ocean view) for US $200 + tax. I will find out if its guest friendly (i have a favorita with me the whole time). The interesting thing is the front desk told me there would be a charge if i had a guest over. Secondly, at the beach there was a middle aged gent with 7 very good looking girls. 3 of which would get top Dollar at Help. They were being served by the Sofitel staff and sitting in the sofitel beach chairs. I'll let everyone know what the guest charge is and report back later

You and I have entirely different definitions of "not too expensive" .

It's funny - when I'm advising my banks I'm going overseas, one of them always asks if I will be making any "high-dollar transactions", as if there is some universally agreed definition of that term which everyone should just know.

Unfortunately Rio rates for even marginal hotels have pretty much crossed the US$100 rate for the night, and the apartments are closing in on that threshold as well. For mid-week rates after service charges and everything I payed close to $150 a night for two at the Mercure in November, which at least included breakfast and it was a larger suite than normal. Weekends were a more moderate $125 or so for the double.

Sso who knows, we all may be hanging at the Marriott and Sheraton someday.