---
title: "Windsor Marapendi vs Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme"
description: "Barra versus Leme: a five-star Windsor beachfront in Barra da Tijuca against a four-star Novotel on the Copacabana edge — wide sand and shopping, or Sugarloaf at 2 km."
url: "https://travelshifu.com/hotels/rio-de-janeiro/compare/windsor-marapendi-hotel-vs-novotel-rio-de-janeiro-leme/"
type: "hotel comparison"
reviewed_on: "2026-08-06"
source: "TravelShifu"
---

# Windsor Marapendi vs Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme

Barra versus Leme: a five-star Windsor beachfront in Barra da Tijuca against a four-star Novotel on the Copacabana edge — wide sand and shopping, or Sugarloaf at 2 km.

## Why this pair

Opposite Rio coastal experiences at a similar “beach hotel” job. One trades Zona Sul landmark distance for Barra’s wider beach; the other keeps Sugarloaf close. That is a real either/or.

## Verdict

Windsor Marapendi if Barra beach and BarraShopping are the week; Novotel Leme if Sugarloaf at 2 km and a 9.6 supplier score matter more — accepting mould and cleanliness caveats at the Novotel and 7.98 cleanliness at the Windsor.

Position decides the trip. Windsor Marapendi puts Barra beach at 0.6 km and Copacabana at 18 km. Novotel Leme puts Copacabana at 0.3 km and Sugarloaf at 2 km. Cristo is 22 km from Barra against 6.5 km from Leme. There is no compromise pin here.

Guest scores favour Novotel on the headline — supplier rating 9.6 from 2,745 reviews against 8.9 from 8,540 at Windsor, captured 10 and 7 December 2025 respectively. Underneath, Novotel’s cleanliness is 8.66 with mould named; Windsor’s is 7.98 with corridor tray complaints. Service is 10 against 9.45 at Novotel; Windsor wins on breakfast praise in the pros.

Facilities: Windsor lists sauna, spa, rooftop pool, family rooms, private parking — full five-star resort stock. Novotel lists rooftop pool, solarium, family rooms, terrace — midrange Novotel practical. Windsor checks in until 06:00 PM; Novotel publishes no latest arrival beyond 03:00 PM.

Band and chain differ: five-star Windsor against four-star Novotel. Neither is a Copacabana-centre 0.1 km pin — this pair is for travellers who already chose “not mid-strip Copacabana”.

**Best for:**
- Deciding between Barra’s wide beach and Leme’s Sugarloaf proximity
- Families weighing Windsor five-star resort facilities against Novotel’s higher supplier score

**Not for:**
- Anyone who needs Copacabana at 0.1 km — neither hotel is that pin
- Travellers unwilling to accept cleanliness complaints — both carry them

## Head to head

| Criterion | Windsor Marapendi Hotel | Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme | Edge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Official classification | 5-star | 4-star | Windsor Marapendi Hotel |
| Position | Barra da Tijuca. Barra beach 0.6 km, BarraShopping 1.2 km, Copacabana 18 km, Cristo 22 km. | Leme. Copacabana 0.3 km, Sugarloaf 2 km, Cristo 6.5 km. | tie |
| Supplier rating (our hotel data provider, /10 — display only) | 8.9 from 8,540 reviews, as of 7 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) | 9.49 — far from public transport noted | 10 — excellent location near beach | Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme |
| Cleanliness (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 7.98 — trays in corridors; room issues | 8.66 — mould and dirty fixtures named | Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme |
| Service (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 9.45 | 10 | Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme |
| What guests complain about | Cleanliness; service pressure at busy times | Cleanliness; service delays; room size | tie |
| Spa / sauna | Spa and sauna listed | Solarium listed — no spa in cited list | Windsor Marapendi Hotel |
| Chain | Windsor | Novotel | tie |

## Which is better for Sugarloaf?

Novotel Leme — Sugarloaf is 2 km on our hotel data provider’s figures against 24 km from Windsor Marapendi. Windsor wins if Barra beach and BarraShopping are the priority instead.

## Which has better guest scores?

Novotel on the headline — 9.6 out of 10 from 2,745 reviews against 8.9 from 8,540 at Windsor, both on a /10 scale. Cleanliness is weak at both: 8.66 with mould at Novotel, 7.98 at Windsor. Read the categories, not only the headline.

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