The Best Hotels Near Copacabana Beach, Brazil

The Windsor Excelsior Hotel is as swanky as the name suggests. Come for the deluxe rooms, stay for the rooftop pool and sweeping vistas over Copacabana shorefront. For an alternative viewpoint, visit the Copacabana Fort at the south end of the beach. Return by night to feast on the restaurant menu of crispy shrimp with aioli or mushroom risotto, in surroundings decked out with stylish rattan chairs and white tablecloths.

Minimalist luxury is at the core of the elegant Emiliano Rio, which starts from the moment you step through its brilliant white net-like facade and continues through the secluded green-walled terrace of the restaurant. Stroll along Copacabana beach or around the nearby Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon before kicking back on your private balcony or at the rooftop infinity-edge pool, whose glass sides amplify the incredible view of the beach behind. This stylish spot has won awards – for good reason.

Live it up at the Windsor California Hotel, set on the iconic Avenida Atlântica in Rio, right in front of Copacabana beach. The luminous rooms look out onto the blue hues of the ocean, so you can soak up the beach, from both inside and out. The hotel is in the heart of the action near bars like the buzzy Bip Bip – known for its live samba sessions.

No fewer than 10 renowned Brazilian architects came together to create the Rio Design Hotel. Each of the 12 floors has its own unique style, so you’d be forgiven for strolling along the corridors (of a floor that isn’t yours) just to take stock. Of course, you’ll want to visit Copacabana beach, just meters from the hotel, but if you fancy a more active surfing session, head to nearby Praia do Diabo to catch some waves.

The glossy Ritz Copacabana is an elegant option just one block from the shorefront. The rooftop is the masterpiece here, with its petite pool, panoramic views over Copacabana beach, and bartop as sparkly as the champagne bottles it serves. To catch the sunset, head to the hotel rooftop or Pedra do Arpoador, a rocky oceanside outcrop, said to be one of the finest spots in the city to watch the sun sink as the festivities crank up.

PortoBay Rio de Janeiro is all about the views, offering sweeping sights over Copacabana beach, the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain. The 117 rooms all have their own balconies or panoramic windows, so you can plan your meanderings from a bird’s-eye view. On the rooftop, sway to soothing bossa nova sounds or simply lounge by the pool while sipping a caipirinha or champagne concoction.

This is the most iconic hotel in Copacabana and, in fact, in all of Rio de Janeiro. Each year, its facade alone attracts waves of tourists posing for photos in front of the magnificent exterior, and its interior is even more impressive. With its elegant design, exquisite architectural details and warm, attentive service, this hotel is without parallel. And if it’s good enough for the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson and Madonna, then it must be a special place to stay.

Having Copacabana beach on your doorstep is an asset, and this hotel knows it. One of its main attractions is the astonishing view across Copacabana from its rooftop, which can be enjoyed while soaking in the terrace swimming pool and sipping a cocktail. The hotel sits across from Posto 5, a part of the beach where stand-up surf paddle boards can be rented out to enjoy the beach in a more active way.

A luxury hotel with an entrance that leads straight out onto the famous Copacabana beach, this is a place that pampers and delights its guests. Impeccable service and sophisticated design make it a favorite among well-traveled elites, yet the rooftop is its defining feature. The open terrace with views across Copacabana is jaw-dropping and comes complete with an open-air swimming pool and a bar for evening drinks.

The location of this hotel is simply perfect: right in front of Copacabana beach and minutes away from Ipanema, the new go-to beach that’s stealing some of the legendary glamour from Copacabana. It’s also right next to Copacabana Fort, which has a wonderful restaurant and superb views. No hotel in such a prestigious location would be complete without a rooftop swimming pool and bar, and the ones at Orla don’t disappoint.

Although the name may recall tacky nights out in the east of Spain, this hotel is modern, clean and always receives positive feedback from guests. Located a couple of blocks from the beach, it lacks the ocean-view rooms, but it’s less expensive than its counterparts while offering a delicious complimentary breakfast, fantastic service and unbeatable access to tourist points in the city.

Located just minutes from the beach and the metro station, this simple yet welcoming hotel is ideal for those wanting a cozy place to stay without all the luxuries. The rooftop terrace offers city views and a pool, and a complimentary breakfast of fruits, cereals, cheeses, hams and breads is included.

Being part of a large, successful chain, the reputation this hotel has for upscale luxury is well established. Some of the rooms have ocean views, whilst the hotel offers beauty treatments and a spa for those seeking a bit of pampering before a day of tourist activity or a night out at one of Copacabana‘s many bars or restaurants.

This simple, low-key hotel is perfect for those who just want a clean place to rest between days and nights spent out and about in the city. Its unfussy furnishings won’t dazzle but do make visitors feel comfortable. The location is its major asset – just a couple of blocks from the beach and a few minutes’ walk from the metro, so all tourist points in the city are within easy reach.

A relatively inexpensive alternative to some of the luxury beachside hotels, Royalty Copacabana is clean and simple yet still provides fantastic amenities such as free breakfast, a kids’ play area on the terrace, an outdoor swimming pool and a steam room. Well located within easy walking distance of the beach and metro, it’s a perfect base from which to explore the city.

Laura Field contributed additional reporting to this article.

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