20 Best Hotels in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This five-star hotel, located in the historic hilltop neighborhood of Santa Teresa, is housed in a regenerated coffee plantation mansion that pays homage to Brazil's cultures and traditions with folk art and handicrafts from across the nation; the location is ideal area for travelers keen to discover Rio's artistic side. The use of fresh white linens and bamboo and other natural materials extends the rustic-chic motif into the spacious rooms and suites, which feature state-of-the-art amenities such as LCD televisions, super-king-size beds, 300-thread-count cotton sheets, and marble bathtubs; some rooms have verandas.

The pick of the bunch in Ipanema for a midrange option with a great location, this stylish little property was renovated in 2016 by renowned architect Bel Lobo and now combines elegant, breezy design and a vibrant restaurant serving contemporary Brazilian food with comfortable rooms. Thoughtful touches for guests include beach towels, deck chairs, and sun umbrellas to save you from renting your own.

One of the stars of Copacabana's midrange hotels, this beachfront property combines beautiful rooms—all have balconies with sea views—with a great rooftop pool and charming, attentive staff. The distinctive black- and red-fronted hotel is Swiss-owned, and the tidy and modern Scandinavian design (aka crisp white decor) is one of its best assets, as are the views across the bay and of the Corcovado and the Christ statue.

Built in 1923 for the visiting king of Belgium and inspired by Nice's Negresco and Cannes's Carlton, Copacabana Palace was the first luxury hotel in South America, and it's still one of the top hotels on the continent. Marlene Dietrich, Robert DeNiro, Princess Diana, Mick Jagger, and the Obamas are among the many famous to have stayed here. The hotel's neoclassical facade is beautifully maintained and remains a glimmering white. Inside you can find one of the city's largest and most attractive swimming pools. The hotel's restaurants are stellar, too—the elegant Cipriani is rated among the city's best for its Northern Italian cuisine, while the unlimited Sunday brunch, served in the less formal Pergula restaurant by the pool, is legendary. The 2014 addition of pan-Asian restaurant Mee has met with critical acclaim in the culinary press. The interior of the hotel is as regal and immaculate as its facade, and the look is cool, elegant, and luxurious—from the marble reception desk to the immaculately attired bellboys and the luxury spa. Rooms are individually appointed, with period furniture and original artworks. Ocean-view rooms are more expensive than those at the back, whose view of the Copacabana streets somewhat detracts from the glamorous atmosphere, and the nightlife in this district is less sophisticated than neighboring Ipanema and Leblon, so you're likely to find yourself taking nightly cab rides.

The Italian-owned Fasano Group is renowned for its stylish, elegant hotels and restaurants, and Fasano Rio has the added glamour of having been crafted by the French designer Philippe Starck. The location, in front of Ipanema Beach, could not be better, and the building's understated facade masks a wealth of quirky style inside; unique touches abound, but the real star of the show is the white-marble plunge pool on the rooftop terrace.

In the heart of Ipanema's shopping and dining district, a block from the beach, this hotel has standard accommodations and in-room amenities but a great rooftop view—a postcard shot of Corcovado and the lagoon. Breakfast is served on the alfresco terrace, which doubles as a sushi restaurant after dark and the bar in the ground-floor lobby serves light meals and nibbles.

The excellent location in front of Copacabana Beach is this hotel's main draw; the rooms are clean and reasonably tasteful, and some have been recently refurbished. The rooftop pool is popular with families, the buffet breakfast is generous and varied, the staff are friendly and efficient, and the hotel is within easy reach of the metro and Ipanema.

Formerly known as the Marina All Suites, this intimate beach-front hotel was redesigned in 2018 by eco warrior and founder of fashion brand Osklen as an ode to carioca style. Expect spectacular ocean-views from the soft-toned suites and a hip, local crowd who flit between the first floor restaurant and cocktail bar, and the ground-floor beach-bar, which acts as an extension of Leblon’s golden sands.

You could be walking into a Marriott anywhere in the world, which is a comfort for some and a curse for others. Expect spotlessly clean rooms and public areas, an efficient English-speaking staff, and modern (and expensive) services and facilities. Despite the enormous lobby, rooms here are smaller than at most Marriott hotels, but some rooms have views of Avenida Atlântica and Copacabana. The location—the front door spits you out onto Copacabana Beach—can't be beat.

This off-the-beaten-track location amid the secluded mansions of Joatinga—often referred to as "the Beverly Hills of Rio"—gives La Suite an ultra-exclusive feel, and the French owners have imbued their boutique hotel with real Parisian chic. The infinity pool, perched right above the ocean, takes in sweeping vistas over mountains and out to sea, and the exterior and outdoor spaces are all clean lines, white walls, and sleek modernism. The suites themselves—themed by color—are an exercise in indulgence, with twinkling chandeliers, Oriental screens, vast beds, walk-in wardrobes, colored-marble double shower rooms, and iPod docks.

With a prime beachfront location, this classic Copacabana hotel underwent a complete face-lift in 2013 and is now one of the neighborhood's best hotels. Rooms come with modern appliances such as iPod docks, HDTV, Wi-Fi, and Nespresso coffeemakers, and the bar at the rooftop infinity pool has glorious views over Copacabana and Sugarloaf.

This well-located hotel offers friendly service, a solid breakfast, and a good location opposite Copacabana Beach. Excellent restaurants, shopping, and nightlife in Copacabana are all within walking distance.

Set on the beach between Ipanema and Leblon, this modern hotel offers an accessible price tag for its stellar views—the small rooftop pool area has dramatic beach views and each room has a sea view and a private balcony. The property is within walking distance to some of Rio's best nightlife, restaurants, and shopping.

Each of the spacious and comfortable rooms in this mammoth hotel has a balcony overlooking Barra Beach, while facilities include a large heated pool, tennis courts, and a fitness center. While a long way from Rio's most famous attractions (public transportation makes it feel much closer), one of the highlights of staying in this neighborhood is proximity to Barra's substantial golden beach.

In the heart of Ipanema, close to high-class shops and gourmet restaurants, this beachfront hotel has established itself among business travelers, celebrities, and heads of state who appreciate its impeccable service; and while the suites are impressive, other rooms feel more functional than luxurious. Now managed by Sofitel, the hotel has been given a dash of French savoir-faire through elegant touches such as candlelit lounges, a dedicated pastry chef, and wine-tasting events.

Another of Rio's tall, slender hotels, this one has a great location at the eastern end of Ipanema Beach between Rua Vinicius de Moraes and Farme de Amoedo, and though it isn't luxurious, the hotel has comfortable accommodations with crisp, clean, and modern interiors. Deluxe front rooms have panoramic beach views, and back rooms from the eighth floor up have views of the lagoon and Corcovado.

This beachfront hotel may have been built in the 1950s, but its look is sleek and contemporary—from the sparkling marble lobby to the guest-room closets paneled in gleaming Brazilian redwood. There's a pool with lovely views out to sea, as well as beach service that includes towels, chairs, and parasols.

One of the few solid hotel choices right in Centro, the Windsor Guanabara has reasonably sized and tastefully appointed rooms (although some are beginning to show signs of age), and the contemporary rooftop pool area—with white tiles, white trellises, and white patio furnishings—offers a welcome escape from the city swelter and stunning views of Guanabara Bay. The buffet breakfast is good, too, although the evening buffet served in the restaurant is a little steep. The hotel is a popular choice with business executives.