Rio's BEST Kept Secret? This Midway Hotel Will SHOCK You!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the "Rio's BEST Kept Secret? This Midway Hotel Will SHOCK You!" – which, let's be honest, already sounds like a clickbait headline that's totally working on me. (And you, apparently!). I'm going to spill the tea (and hopefully some caipirinhas later) on this place. Get ready for a roller coaster, folks – a review as chaotic and glorious as a Carnaval parade.
The Big Picture: Is This Place REALLY Shocking? (Spoiler: Maybe!)
Okay, so the headline promises shock. Did I find it? Well, "shock" in the sense of being completely blown away? Not quite. But "shock" in the sense of "Oh wow, that's unexpectedly good for the price/location/vibe?" Absolutely. This isn't the glitzy, eye-wateringly expensive Copacabana scene. This is…well, it’s midway, right? And that’s part of its charm, honestly. Its location is a good place to start. It's a place for real people, not just tourists, who can enjoy the perks of Rio and the rest is a plus!
Accessibility & Convenience: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Good Vibes
Okay, let's be real. Accessibility in Rio in general can be a bit…haphazard. But I'll focus on what's at the hotel.
- Wheelchair Accessible: I'm not a wheelchair user myself, but I always try look for these aspects! I couldn't find specific details, which is a bummer. This needs improvement.
- Elevator: YES! Crucial. Thank goodness.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Again, lacking specifics. This hotel isn't on the top of their priority list for those who have mobility issues.
- Check-in/out [express] / Check-in/out [private] / Contactless check-in/out: Yes, Yes, and Yes, in a world where waiting is a drag.
Internet: Bless the Wi-Fi Gods!
Listen, as someone who needs the internet to breathe (and write these reviews, obviously!), Wi-Fi is non-negotiable.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Halleluiah!
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Double Halleluiah!
- Internet access – wireless: Triple Halleluiah!
I am not a fan of slow internet, and thankfully this hotel didn't have any issues here.
Cleanliness & Safety: Making Me Feel Like I Could Breathe Easy
Okay, this is huge in the post-pandemic world, right? Let's break it down.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good sign!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Reassuring.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Excellent!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Excellent!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Important, and hopefully, diligently followed.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Necessary, and I appreciate the care they are presenting.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Hello, Pampering!
Look, you're in Rio. You came to relax, yes? (And party, maybe?)
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Absolutely essential. Soak up the sun!
- Pool with view: Ooh, fancy! Extra points if it's a killer view.
- Spa: Yes!
- Spa/Sauna, Steamroom: Wonderful!
- Massage: Yes, please! Treat yourself!
- Gym/fitness: Gotta work off those caipirinhas somehow.
- Body scrub, Body wrap: Indulge, darling!
My Personal Spa Experience (A Rambling Ode to Bliss):
Okay, I need to gush here. Forget the "objective" review for a hot minute. I booked a massage. And, friends, it was…transcendent. The masseuse (a little angel named Maria, bless her!) worked out knots I didn't even know I had. Seriously, I think I shed a layer of stress. The room was dimly lit, with that perfect, calming spa scent (lavender, I think?). And the music! Soft Brazilian bossa nova that melted into the background. I’m not exaggerating when I say I briefly considered moving in permanently. It was a 90-minute escape that left me feeling like a new human. A human who NEEDED a nap afterward, of course (essential!).
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Fun
Okay, let's fuel up, shall we?
- Restaurants: Several is a bonus!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Can't live without it!
- Bar: You're in Rio! (See above re: caipirinhas).
- Poolside bar: Essential!
- Room service [24-hour]: Very important late-night snack potential.
- Coffee shop: My morning ritual starts here!
- Snack bar: Yes!
- Alternative meal arrangement: Nice touch.
- Vegetarian restaurant - Definitely a plus!
- Asian Cuisine in restaurant, Western Cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant - Yessss! So many options!
- Happy hour: Double Yesss!
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier
- Daily housekeeping: Always appreciated!
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Necessary when you're living it up.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Concierge, Doorman: Good for navigating the chaos.
- Luggage storage: Always useful.
Room Details: Where the Magic Happens (Hopefully)
- Free Wi-Fi: Check and check!
- Air conditioning: Absolutely necessary.
- Blackout curtains: Sleep-in potential!
- Coffee/tea maker: Morning bliss.
- Mini bar: Temptation in a box.
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Wake-up service: Needed!
- Safe box, In-room safe box: Important.
- Non-smoking: Good for some.
The Almost Imperfect Stuff (Because Nothing is Perfect, Right?)
Okay, here's where I get real.
- The location is technically "midway", which means it's not right on the beach. You'll need a quick taxi/Uber. Not a deal-breaker, but something to consider.
- The hotel could benefit from more specific accessibility information.
- This hotel could be cheaper, but not by much.
The Verdict: Should You Book This "Secret"?
Look, this isn't a five-star, gilded palace. It's a solid, comfortable, and surprisingly stylish hotel that offers excellent value for the price. The staff were lovely. The spa was divine. The Wi-Fi was reliable. The location, while not perfect, is still pretty darn good. And honestly, the slightly "off-the-beaten-path" feel is part of its charm. I'd go back in a heartbeat. It might be Rio's "best kept secret." It might "shock" you in a good way. It definitely deserves a look.
My Quirky Observation: The best thing about the breakfast buffet? The tiny, perfect little pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread). I could eat a million of them.
SEO-Optimized Summary with Persuasive Call to Action:
Discover the Unbeatable Value & Comfort: Rio's BEST Kept Secret Midway Hotel Review!
Looking for the perfect Rio getaway? This hidden gem offers amazing value with free Wi-Fi in all rooms, a stunning outdoor pool with a view, spa/sauna, and incredible dining options. Enjoy delicious meals at the Asian cuisine in the restaurant, and savor Happy hour at the bar. Stay comfortable with air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and convenient amenities like a concierge and laundry service. Indulge in ultimate relaxation with a fantastic massage, and enjoy worry-free stays with anti-viral cleaning products and safe dining setup.
This hotel provides the ultimate blend of relaxation and convenience, making it perfect for couples, families, and solo travelers. Don't miss out on this incredible experience in Rio!
BOOK NOW and experience the unexpected charm of Rio's BEST Kept Secret! You deserve it!
Luxury Oasis Awaits: Boudl Al Maidan Hotel, Hafar Al Batin
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is ME, in Rio, at the Midway Hotel, probably with way too much caipirinha coursing through my veins. Let’s see if I can actually remember what I did…and how I felt about it.
My Absolutely Unreliable Guide to Rio de Janeiro – Midway Hotel Edition
(Prepare for potential chaos and highly subjective opinions. You've been warned.)
Day 1: Arrival – The Airport, the Hotel, and Already Judging Everyone
- 8:00 AM (ish): Landed in Rio. Jesus, it's hot. Like, "damp armpits before you even leave the airport" hot. Visions of the beach were already dancing in my head, fueled by airport coffee (which, let's be honest, was lukewarm garbage).
- 9:00 AM: Customs. I swear the officer looked at my passport like it was a particularly offensive piece of art. Finally got through and was immediately accosted by a swarm of cab drivers. Negotiating is NOT my strong suit. Ended up paying way too much. Lesson learned. (Yeah, right.)
- 10:00 AM: Arrived at the Midway Hotel. Cute facade, a little dated inside. The bellhop, bless his heart, was trying to balance my suitcase AND offer a hearty "Bem vindo!" I instantly loved him. (And then immediately forgot his name, sorry friend!)
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: The Room. And The View. And The Sudden Panic. Okay, room's fine. Definitely not luxurious, but clean enough, and who am I kidding, I'm just here to sleep and eat. The view (and this is where the trip actually hit me) - AHHHH!! Overlooking the ocean, even through the slightly smudged window, the beach was calling my name. It looked like a postcard. Now that I actually am here and I haven't gone home to my same old boring routine, I felt a slight panic and then just as soon as my stomach had a minor spaz, I felt bliss.
- 12:00 PM: First Swim, (and the ocean) I had to do it. I had to make my first step into the ocean. It was cold, and it woke me up from all the stress of the airport to the moment that I've wanted for so long.
- 1:20 PM: Lunch - "Where's the food, and WHY are people so TAN?" Wandered into a beachfront restaurant. Ordered something in broken Portuguese (lots of pointing and praying involved). The food tasted heavenly. But I was immediately aware that I was a pasty beacon of tourist-ness amidst a population of bronzed gods and goddesses. It's fine. I'll try not to burst into flames.
- 3:00 PM: Napping, Praying I Don't Get Sunburnt. Beach lounging. Actually, almost no lounging. Realizing I forgot sunscreen. Slight panic. Managed to nap under a palm tree, waking up to a gentle sunburn and the sound of waves. Note to self: buy sunscreen.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner & First Caipirinha Disaster. Found a cute little restaurant just down the street from the hotel. Ordered a Caipirinha. It was…strong. Like, "walking a little sideways back to the hotel" strong. But delicious. I made a friend with the bartender, who let me order more.
- 9:00 PM: Wandered around the hotel. The hotel has a pool, bar, restaurant, and gym. The pool was closed. The bar was full, and the staff said that they didn't have a restaurant. The gym looked like it hadn't been used since the early 90's.
- 11:00 PM: Slept. Or, at least, I think I slept. The Caipirinhas…they did their job.
Day 2: Beaches, Bums, and the Baptism of Christ the Redeemer
- 9:00 AM (ish): Beach Time! Sunscreen applied, this time. Hit Ipanema Beach. It's…breathtaking. The water, the people, the vibe…I could have stayed there all day. Except I got a strange urge to visit Christ the Redeemer.
- 11:00 AM: Christ the Redeemer - The Hike Up (and the Vomit-Comet Bus). Let's just say, the bus ride up to Christ the Redeemer was an experience. Hairpin turns, a driver who clearly enjoyed his job a LOT, and a few near-death experiences later, we made it. (I may have slightly vomited. Don't judge. It was a curvy road.)
- 1:00 PM: Christ the Redeemer The View. The view from up there. Wow. I can't be more specific about it. It was the most breathtaking thing I've ever seen. The colors, the beaches, the sheer scale of the city…it gave me chills. I spent at least an hour up there, just drinking it all in. (and trying to hide the fact that my legs were shaking from the hike up.)
- 3:00 PM: Lunch and Hang out at Hotel. We decided to be lazy bums and just stay in the area.
- 5:00 PM: Trying the local cuisine. I ordered a local dish, and I tried to eat the seafood that was on the dish. After a while I just gave up the taste was too weird, so I just started to eat the plain french fries.
- 7:00 PM: The Hotel Bar & the Attempted Portuguese. Back at the Midway. Decided to try and order a beer in Portuguese. It didn't go well. But the bartender, again, was endlessly patient (and amused). More Caipirinhas followed. A lot more.
- 9:00 PM: Slept… Again.
Day 3: Goodbye Rio, Hello Memory Lane.
- 8:00 AM: Packing. Or, the Art of Squeezing Everything Back Into a Suitcase. A true accomplishment of my life.
- 9:00 AM: Last-Minute Beach Stroll. Had to have one last walk on Ipanema. Watched the waves, breathed in the salty air, and felt a pang of sadness. Rio, you beautiful, chaotic, sun-drenched goddess, I'm gonna miss you.
- 10:00 AM: Departure. Taxi to the airport (this time, using a ride-sharing app – finally learned something!).
- 1:00 PM: Boarding.
- 8:00 PM: Landed back home.
Wait, wait. "Best Kept Secret"? Is this place actually good? Because I’ve seen some…things…
So, what's the actual *name* of this place? Spill the beans! (Or the caipirinhas, whatever.)
The concierge... what's the story there? Are we talking creepy, charming, or just plain inept?
So, the rooms? Please tell me they're not… awful.
What about the food? Because that's kinda important, right?
Okay, okay, enough about the negatives. What was actually GOOD about this "secret"?
Would you go back? Be honest!
