Designed by Philippe Starck, the stylish Hotel Fasano cleverly marries glass and marble with period furnishings made of tropical woods. There's nothing like it in Rio. Rooms are sleek and boast everything from Wi-Fi to Egyptian cotton. The Brazilian-Italian seafood restaurant is one of Rio's best, while the cozy-chic bar is Rio's top place to be seen. The guests-only rooftop pool, with its unparalleled ocean views, is Fasano's pièce-de-résistance. Pros: terrific ocean views, located near the action, award-winning design. Cons: service doesn't always keep up with the prices, views from street-facing rooms are uninspired.
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