Brazil’s second largest city, and one of the most popular destinations in the southern hemisphere for travellers, Rio de Janeiro is a hub of culture, offering excitement and interest with a wide array of events and landmarks, such as the annual Carnival and the world renowned Christ the Redeemer. We take a look at ten of the best hotels on offer in this beautiful city.
Named after the historical area in which it resides, the surrounding area of this hotel is popular with artists and tourists for its narrow and winding streets as well as for its spectacular views. The Hotel Santa Teresa, a former coffee plantation mansion, features architecture that clearly reflects the building’s past, with traditional and elegant wooden furnishings, updated with contemporary design by popular Brazilian designers. Close by a number of art galleries, restaurants and bars can be found, as well as the Museu da Chacara do Ceu, which houses artworks by Matisse, Metzinger and Visconti among many others.
A brief distance from the bustling centre of Rio de Janeiro, the Le Relais de Marambaia is a relaxing escape from the madness of the carnival atmosphere of the capital, offering its guests incredible ocean views from its hilltop location. Inside, the hotel boasts a mix of minimalist European décor and Brazilian design. Guests can further relax with a bite to eat within the hotel where the underlying European influence comes to the fore, specialising in French cuisine.
Sister to the Fasano Sao Paulo, the ultra-cool Fasano Rio De Janeiro is located on the Ipanema Beach close to a number art galleries and cinemas. Inside, the hotel boasts the design work of French designer Philippe Starck, who styled the hotel with 50’s furnishings and plenty of darkened hardwood. The high-rise hotel’s rooftop claims a range of activities including a pool, sauna and fitness centre, while the acclaimed restaurant, Fasano al Mare, serves up fresh Italian cuisine from the region with a predominant focus on seafood.
This hotel is located beside the pier within the historic colonial town of Paraty, known for its cobblestone streets, on which no cars are allowed. It is here you will find the Casa Turquesa, a simple yet intimate and charming boutique hotel, with rustic furnishings and a striking exterior of blues and white, all surrounded by Paraty’s impressive architecture. The local area is home to four historical baroque churches and two colonial forts.
[tct-hotel-header post-id=1300440] With its classic décor, enchanting interiors and grand architecture that harks back to the golden age of the 1920’s, the colossal Copacabana Palace is an iconic figure upon Rio’s skyline. Today the hotel stands as a symbol of Rio de Janeiro’s rich and glamorous past, which is perhaps one of the reasons the hotel is a favoured escape for many of the rich and famous. [tct-hotel-footer post-id=1300440]
Nestled away within the Atlantic forest hills of the affluent Gavea neighbourhood, the Gavea Tropical Boutique Hotel offers luxurious guestrooms, with décor in a blend of Thai and tropical styles. The hotel offers private balconies where guests can be amazed by the stunning views and entertained by the friendly local ‘mico’ monkeys. A short journey out of the hills finds the Baixo Gavea area, often considered Rio’s bohemian quarter because of its abundance of artists and intellectuals.
An old colonial house within the Santa Teresa hills, the Villa Almirante is the perfect retreat for those looking for a break from the hectic lifestyle of the city. Inside, the hotel houses a number of unique guestrooms, including the ‘Baroque Suite’ designed within the style of the elegant period. The spacious ‘Tropical Suite,’ offering antique furnishings and marble en-suite, is also a popular choice for guests.
A grand mansion with 19th century colonial architecture in the heart of Santa Teresa, the boutique Mama Ruisa hotel manages to blend the romance of timeless style with the cool of the modern. Displayed throughout are a number of drawings by Jean Cocteau, as well as religious sculptures collected from around Brazil. Inside the hotel, elegant furnishings sit within high ceilinged and spacious rooms, all with views looking out onto the Guanabara Bay and the Sugarloaf Mountain.
