The Best Luxury Hotels in Rio de Janeiro

Located on the notable Avenida Atlântica, across from the iconic Copacabana beach, lies the Miramar Hotel by Windsor. Create your very own beach club on Rio’s most famous shorefront with the hotel’s beach towel and parasol set up. Or soak up the sights from the rooftop pool, where it’s difficult to differentiate between the blues of the sky, ocean and pool. To top off your stay, tuck into risotto or seafood pasta at the hotel’s Italian-inspired restaurant.

If you’re looking for a place to stay that’s straight out of a glossy magazine, make a reservation at Janeiro Hotel – a photogenic spot on the cosmopolitan beach of Leblon. Natural light and understated decadence have been carefully curated throughout, with rooms offering framed views of the ocean outside. Its Leblon location is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding areas of Ipanema and Copacabana, as well as the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, where you can cycle the lakeshore, rent boats or practise yoga.

The imposing Rio Othon Palace is a prominent presence on the Copacabana seafront. The notable Skylab restaurant serves Carioca cuisine, including the famous feijoada (a hearty bean, beef and pork stew). All rooms are stylish and contemporary, many with sublime ocean views. The hotel’s pièce de résistance is its rooftop pool, lined with loungers and panoramic views of arguably the most glamorous in the city.

In the heart of the artistic Santa Teresa, you’ll find the luxurious and intimate Vila Santa Teresa. Set in the lush greenery of this tranquil neighborhood, the hotel has the feel of a private villa, so it’s an ideal option if you’d prefer to escape the crowds. Plush suites blend minimalism with artisan designs and the lavish Restaurant Beatriz has a seasonal, Carioca-inspired menu, ingredients for which are grown in the hotel’s vegetable garden.

Another star on the shores of Copacabana is the Fairmont RJ Copacabana. Rooms are pared back and Scandinavian in style, but feature bright streaks of color in keeping with Rio’s exuberance. The Spirit Copa Bar will have you indulging in some of the best caipirinhas in Rio, accompanied by delicate tapas. For something more substantial, check out the Marine Restô for fresh seafood and quality meat cooked on a Josper grill. For jaunts along the beach, choose from Copacabana or nearby Ipanema and Leblon.

At the far end of Copacabana beach, close to the Leme peninsula, you’ll find the PortoBay Rio de Janeiro. The 117 rooms feature private balconies or picturesque sea views and include Havaiana sandals so you can casually make your way around the hotel in Brazilian style. Relax by the pool to the soothing rhythms of bossa nova or take in the spectacular sunset at the rooftop Bossa Lounge, caipirinha in hand. Enjoy breakfast at Restaurant La Finestra, where tropical fruit juices await alongside cold meats, cheeses, fresh bread and pastel de nata custard tarts.

The Belmond Copacabana Palace opened its doors in 1923 and has been bringing a sense of Roaring Twenties glamour to Rio’s shores ever since. Sip on a blueberry, camomile and orange Tea Cup Gin at the sultry Piano Bar or be whisked on an Asian culinary journey at Mee, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. The rooms are opulently adorned with antique furniture and original works of art so every corner is a sight to behold. If you can tear yourself away from the exquisite interior, head to titular Copacabana beach just outside to soak up Rio’s rays.

Rio’s Hotel Fasano is an ode to 1950s Brazilian design and the golden age of Bossa Nova. Refined rooms feature furniture by eminent designers, such as Sergio Rodrigues and Philippe Starck, and every detail has been carefully considered. Ipanema beach is just outside, lined with Fasano’s private beach chairs and umbrellas; or, if you’d prefer, head to the pristine rooftop pool which serves up views of the landmarks of Arpoador peninsula, the humpback hiking spot of Morro Dois Irmãos and Corcovado mountain.

Emiliano Rio’s striking façade can be spotted a mile off – its dazzling white, net-like design will stop you in your tracks. Natural light, whitewashed walls and blond-wood accents take center stage throughout this graceful hotel, set on Copacabana’s bay-lined Avenida Atlântica. When you’re not soaking in the big blue, don’t miss the chance to indulge in a Shiatsu massage at the serene Santapele Spa, followed by a dip in the outdoor onsen-like tubs. Finally, head to the Champagne Bar to try one of the 80 bottles, guided by an in-the-know sommelier.

Santa Teresa Hotel sits in the grounds of a former coffee farm, dating back to the 1850s. Located in the tranquil elevated neighborhood of Santa Teresa, privileged views overlooking the city come with the hilltop territory. Tropical woods and golden slate set a theme of subtle decadence and the calming rooms will have you feeling like you’ve left the bustling city far behind. Take in views from the balcony of Bar dos Descasados, whose deep terracotta hues and craggy stone walls lend a cave-like feel inside.

This Sheraton is the only oceanfront resort in Rio where you can step off the white sand and straight into your hotel without crossing the Avenida Atlântica. It’s set in Leblon, between the trendy Barra da Tijuca and Ipanema Beach, so you’ll be in the heart of the action. Knock a ball around on the tennis court or do some laps in the pools to work up an appetite for a refreshing caipirinha at Casa da Cachaça bar or a hearty cut of meat at Casarão restaurant.

On the luscious western side of Rio, you’ll find Le Chateaux Joá atop a hill with extensive views of Barra da Tijuca beach and Pedra da Gávea – a mountain that peeks out from Tijuca forest. Expansive rooms have a jungle-lodge feel, with wooden ceilings and floors that creating a rustic yet palatial resting place. Wind down after a long day of sightseeing at the stone-framed pool, set in the palmy garden overlooking the city, then have the chefs whip up whatever you fancy at the candlelit, city-spying restaurant.

Hotel Nacional Rio is set in the esteemed area of São Conrado, known for its glamorous beachfront and the upmarket Fashion Mall. The glistening circular tower was designed by renowned Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, and features 413 rooms, all with bright ocean or mountain views. There are dry and wet saunas for relaxing, pools for adults and kids, and the shores of flawless São Conrado beach, just minutes from the hotel.

The ornate La Suite by Dussol resides at the top of a cliff in the peaceful and exclusive Joá area. The immaculate infinity pool and chic wooden deck are tucked into the mountain and adorned with lush foliage. Old blends with new in this eclectic hotel where the rooms feature antique furnishings alongside contemporary chandeliers. Although the tranquil setting allows for privacy, on occasion, monkeys have been known to drop in for breakfast on the deck, so prepare yourself for simian company.