Garrett,
I haven't been to the Golden Tulip, but Praia Ipanema seems perfectly
fine. Have you also considered Everest Hotel, more or less in the same
price range (U$150 per double) and fabulous location, right next to
the Caesar Park.
http://www.everest.com.br/
X-Mas is a slow time in Rio: as everywhere else people spend their
holidays in family, so there's nothing much to do then. On X-Mas eve
most anything will be closed, as it will on X-Mas day; better to enjoy
the beach on these days and have a X-Mas supper at the hotel if one is
offered (there should be one at the bigger hotels like Caesar Park,
Copacabana Palace, etc). Most important, avoid AT ALL COSTS even
setting foot on one of the big shopping malls (Barra Shopping, Fashion
Mall & others) before X-Mas day unless you are keen on rubbing
shoulders with millions of other crazy shoppers...
Raf |