Are there any hip hotels in Rio? I was thinking of something similar to the Delano in Miami or Sanderson in London or any of the W Hotels.

It might be a different kind of place then South Beach but most stars have stayed at the Rio Palace in recent years also Ceaser Park in Ipanema. There is a brand new Marriott but there is nothing trendy going on like in South Beach with models and young people flocking to the next new hot club. In my opinion Rio hasn't changed much in the past 20 years, it's always been great.

I think the Rio Atlantica in Copacabana kind of has a little bit of that feel architecturally, but I would still pick Ipanema over Copacabana as a place to stay. Caesar Park is still number 1 on my list. What it may lack in "hip" it clearly makes up in elegance and style. And of course the great views of the ocean!<BR>

Hi Mike,<BR><BR>I've read that Grumari beach is "unpolluted, gorgeous and preserved"...so there might be something there?<BR><BR>Does anyone know much about the area?

Or perhaps try looking up Lagoa, it's near to Ipanema and is a lake surrounded by some of the most affluent neighborhoods in Rio...<BR><BR>http://www.ipanema.com/citytour/lagoa.htm#top