The Best LGBT-Friendly Hotels in Rio De Janeiro

One of the best features of the Golden Tulip Ipanema Plaza is its location, which is right on Rua Farme de Amoedo, Rio’s most famous gay street that is also a popular meeting point and drinking spot. It’s also right opposite Ipanema Beach’s gay beach, easily identified by the large, rainbow-colored flags that mark its presence. The hotel itself is clean and modern and includes a rooftop pool and panoramic views across the beach.

Located right on Ipanema’s seafront, Sol Ipanema Hoteloffers unbeatable ocean views and easy access to one of Rio’s best beaches. It is central to the neighborhood’s vibrant and lively nightlife area, which includes some outstanding bars and restaurants. The hotel has a wide, open rooftop terrace that catches the sun all day and has a swimming pool with poolside bar service. There is also a fitness room open all day, every day and a beauty salon for some holiday pampering.

Centrally located in Ipanema and comprised of 82 breezy rooms in a stylish and contemporary design, Mar Ipanema Hotel is close to great bars and restaurants plus the beach. With a wide selection of exotic, fresh fruit, various types of bread and cereals, cakes, hams, and cheeses, in addition to natural fruit juices and hot beverages, the breakfast buffet is worth the early wake-up call. The 24-hour restaurant at the hotel spills out onto the sidewalk for an outdoor view and people-watching opportunity, and the rooftop bar combines great vistas with delicious cocktails.

The name alone evokes images of luxury and glamour, and the Ritz Hotel in Leblon doesn’t disappoint. The huge, airy rooms pamper guests with wide, soft beds and modern amenities. The location is ideal – near Leblon Beach, one of the most exclusive beaches in Rio and surrounded by some of the city’s best bars and restaurants. Leblon is the city’s most affluent neighborhood, so expect things to be more expensive here, often on par with New York or London prices. The Ritz comes with a bar and lounge, an indoor swimming pool, and free wifi throughout the hotel.

Santa Teresa lies in the city’s hillside and offers a different vibe to the body-conscious shores of Rio’s beaches. The neighborhood is a creative hub for artists and has a relaxed, bohemian feel. It is also home to one of Rio’s most luxurious hotels, the Santa Teresa Hotel. With high walls that blend into the surroundings, it’s easy to miss it, but the two security guards outside give a hint of something exclusive beyond the large entrance gates. The hotel has a jungle-like, rustic theme, with the upgraded rooms featuring four-poster beds, free-standing bathtubs, and sensational views of Guanabara Bay. It also has a restaurant and bar famous for its quality and innovative dishes, a complete spa, and a large outdoor swimming pool.

Located on the corner of Arpoador, a part of Ipanema Beach famed for its crystal clear waters and excellent surf spot, Hotel Fasano is one of the only five-star hotels in the area and goes above and beyond to make each guest feel exclusive and special. The rooms provide Egyptian cotton pajamas to sleep in as well as indoor flip flops and comfortable bathrobes. Guests are given a pillow menu to decide which pillows they would like for their beds to ensure a good night’s sleep. The rooftop pool has exceptional views over Ipanema and offers the perfect viewpoint to watch the amazing sunset.