Booking.com Reveals Where Travelers are Staying During the 2016 Summer Games

NEW YORK, July 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

This August the athletic calendar's biggest event takes place in fabulous Rio de Janeiro. The vibrant city will play host to world-class athletic competitions in 32 venues across the city. Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travelers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, today reveals the most popular districts to stay in Rio during the 2016 Summer Games.

The Copacabana district, which houses the volleyball arena, and windsurfing space 'Marina da Glória' among others, is the most-booked area in Rio de Janeiro to date followed by the Centro, Santa Teresa, Barra da Tijuca and Ipanema districts.*

While Booking.com has seen travelers from Brazil, United States and Argentina book the most frequently, for those who have not booked yet there is limited availability. As of today, only 17% of accommodations on Booking.com are available during the event.

For travelers who are heading to the games and want to extend their trip the booking engine, which offers more places to stay than any other travel brand in the world, has pulled together six ideal hotspots across Brazil according to guest feedback. Whether you prefer sipping the national cocktail Caipirinha by the pool or marvelling at the Amazon River, these recommendations will help travelers discover the real 'Espiritu de Brasil' (Spirit of Brazil).

1.  Head to Rio de Janeiro (Estado do Rio de Janeiro) to soak up beach life, scenery and sightseeing.
Casa Amarelo Boutique Hotel

This chic hotel is the perfect setting for a relaxed Brazilian experience.  Guests can kick back by the pool, Caipirinha in hand, while admiring the incredible city views, the vivid green tropical gardens inhabited by songbirds and other animals, like mini monkeys (named Saguis). The Hotel is in a quiet area of Rio de Janeiro, close to the Municipal Theatre and just a five minute walk from the Escadaria Selarón and famous Selaron Steps.

2.  Stay in São Paulo (Estado de São Paulo) for shopping, food and culture.
The Capital São Paulo Itaim

The perfect resting nest for those who love to shop 'till they drop, this 4-star hotel is set in Sao Paulo's Itaim Bibi district, only 5 km from Congonhas Airport. Its modern lodgings are kitted out with stylish wood furniture, with some rooms offering kitchenettes and private balconies with city views.

3.  Visit the city of Salvador (Bahia) for its beach, old town and culture.
Bahiacafé Hotel

A small boutique hotel set in a building that dates back to the 18th century, located next to the Praça da Sé, a popular square in the heart of Pelourinho. Public transport and the Elevator Lacerda (the famous art deco elevator) are a short walk away. All rooms are lavished with local art pieces, guests can enjoy a varied breakfast and in the evenings, an atmospheric bar. The surrounding area of Pelourinho is a great choice for travelers interested in live music, architecture and history.

4.  Stay in Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais) for bar-hopping, local food and museums.
Belo Horizonte Othon Palace

Centrally located on the Avenida Afonso Pena, the ideal place for travelers that love shopping, parks and culture, the Belo Horizonte Othon Palace is all about modern luxury. Guests take a dip in the outdoor pool and admire sunset-lit views of the Municipal Park while enjoying a cocktail and traditional Brazilian food from the 25^th floor rooftop bar.

5.  The nation's capital, Brasília (Distrito Federal) is revered for its architecture and monuments.
Cullinan Hplus Premium

The hotel is 4 km from Lake Paranoa and 3 km from Esplanada dos Ministerios, a famous strip beginning at the National Congress of Brazil. Guests can relax after a day of sight-seeing at the hotels very own spa. Those staying in the North Wing can also marvel at the views of historic monuments and museums.

6.  Exotic Manaus (Amazonas) excites with its local nature, rainforest and spread of local food.
Manaus Hotéis Millennium

Hotel Millenium is 3.1 miles away from the centre of Manaus and 6.2 miles away from Eduardo Gomes International Airport. Guests can enjoy balcony views from their apartment, or luxuriate in the outdoor pool, whirlpool or sauna. The 19th-century Amazon Theatre, with concerts and tours, is 3.5 km away. The hotel also acts as a good stop-over for those heading on to explore the wonders of the Amazon River.

*Based on Booking.com internal data for bookings for the nights of 5th August 2016 to 21st August 2016.

About Booking.com:  

Booking.com is the world leader in booking hotel and other accommodations online. It guarantees the best prices for any type of property - from small independents to five-star luxury. Guests can access the Booking.com website anytime, anywhere from their desktops, mobile phones and tablet devices, and they don't pay booking fees - ever. The Booking.com website is available in 42 languages, offers over 975,000 hotels and accommodations including more than 475,000 vacation rental properties and covers over 93,000 destinations in 224 countries and territories worldwide.  It features over 98M reviews written by guests after their stay, and attracts online visitors from both leisure and business markets around the globe. With over 19 years of experience and a team of over 11,000 dedicated employees in 176 offices worldwide, Booking.com operates its own in-house customer service team, which is available 24/7 to assist guests in their native languages and ensure an exceptional customer experience. Established in 1996, Booking.com B.V. owns and operates Booking.com™, and is part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN). Follow us on Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest, like us on Facebook, or learn more at http://www.booking.com .

CONTACT DETAILS
For further information, contact the Booking.com U.S. Press Office;
Joseph Moscone, Senior Manager, Public Relations | joseph.moscone@booking.com