---
title: "Othon Palace Copacabana vs Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme"
description: "Two Copacabana & Leme bases a short walk apart — beach at 0.1 km against 0.3 km — answering whether review volume or a higher four-star headline should break the tie."
url: "https://travelshifu.com/hotels/rio-de-janeiro/compare/othon-palace-copacabana-rio-vs-novotel-rio-de-janeiro-leme/"
type: "hotel comparison"
reviewed_on: "2026-08-06"
source: "TravelShifu"
---

# Othon Palace Copacabana vs Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme

Two Copacabana & Leme bases a short walk apart — beach at 0.1 km against 0.3 km — answering whether review volume or a higher four-star headline should break the tie.

## Why this pair

Same neighbourhood, same sand-side job. One is beachfront Avenida Atlântica with no official star class in our seed; the other is a four-star Novotel in Leme with the stronger supplier score. That is a real either/or.

## Verdict

Othon if Copacabana at 0.1 km and a 13,420-review sample win — accepting maintenance cons and no star class; Novotel if the 9.6 headline, Sugarloaf at 2 km and later-feeling category scores matter — accepting mould and cleanliness complaints at 8.66.

Both sit in Copacabana & Leme. Othon puts Copacabana Beach at 0.1 km and Ipanema at 1.2 km; Novotel puts Copacabana at 0.3 km and Sugarloaf at 2 km against 3.5 km from Othon. Location scores 9.9 against 10 — both beach-strong.

Supplier ratings: 9 out of 10 from 13,420 reviews at Othon against 9.6 from 2,745 at Novotel, captured 12 December 2025 and 10 December 2025. Othon has no official star classification; Novotel is four-star. Room quality favours Novotel 9.16 against 8.35; cleanliness is soft at both — 8.39 against 8.66 with mould and dirty fixtures named at Novotel and maintenance needs at Othon.

Facilities: both list pool, restaurant, bar, fitness, family rooms, pets allowed and airport shuttle or practical midrange stock. Othon lists parking and business centre; Novotel lists terrace, solarium and express check-in/check-out. Both check in from 03:00 PM and out by 12:00 PM.

Cons: Othon names minor maintenance and crowded amenities; Novotel names cleanliness concerns, service delays, overpriced amenities and room size. The larger sample sits with Othon; the stronger headline sits with Novotel — read the cleanliness prose either way.

**Best for:**
- Choosing between two Copacabana & Leme sand-side hotels on the same shortlist
- Travellers weighing beachfront review volume against a stronger four-star headline

**Not for:**
- Anyone who needs a spotless cleanliness story — both carry maintenance or mould caveats
- Barra da Tijuca stays — that is a different Rio map

## Head to head

| Criterion | Othon Palace Copacabana Rio | Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme | Edge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Official classification | No official star classification in seed — Othon Palace | 4-star | Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme |
| Position | Avenida Atlântica, 3264. Copacabana Beach 0.1 km, Ipanema 1.2 km. | Rua Gustavo Sampaio 320, Leme. Copacabana Beach 0.3 km, Sugarloaf 2 km. | tie |
| Supplier rating (our hotel data provider, /10 — display only) | 9 from 13,420 reviews, as of 12 December 2025 | 9.6 from 2,745 reviews, as of 10 December 2025 | Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme |
| Location (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 9.9 — beachfront Copacabana | 10 — excellent location near beach | Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme |
| Room quality (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 8.35 — maintenance / updates needed | 9.16 — comfortable; size / shower notes | Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme |
| Cleanliness (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 8.39 — maintenance named | 8.66 — mould and dirty fixtures named | tie |
| What guests complain about | Minor maintenance; crowded amenities | Cleanliness; service delays; room size; overpriced amenities | Othon Palace Copacabana Rio |
| Sugarloaf distance (POI) | 3.5 km | 2 km | Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme |
| Pets | Pets allowed | Pets allowed | tie |
| Review sample size | 13,420 reviews | 2,745 reviews | Othon Palace Copacabana Rio |

## Which is closer to Copacabana Beach?

Othon Palace — 0.1 km against 0.3 km at Novotel Leme on our hotel data provider’s figures. Both are sand-side Copacabana & Leme bases; Othon is the tighter beachfront pin.

## Which has better guest scores?

Novotel on the headline — 9.6 out of 10 from 2,745 reviews against 9 from 13,420 at Othon. Othon has the far larger sample and no official star class in our seed; both carry cleanliness caveats in the high 8s.

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