Sugarloaf mountain in Rio de Janeiro
© 123rf.com / Mark Breck
Hotels in Rio de Janeiro
One thing Rio de Janeiro is not short of is accommodation. Most hotels in Rio are located on the Copacabana and Ipanema beachfronts. Despite being internationally branded as a beach destination, Rio de Janeiro also offers off-the-beaten-track holidays and hotels to suit every budget, from exclusive designer hotels to backpackers’ hostels. Tourists planning to visit Rio during Carnival or New Year should book well in advance and bear in mind that many hotels raise prices during these periods.
The Rio de Janeiro hotels below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Luxury (over R$500)
Moderate(R$250 to R$500)
Cheap (up to R$250)
The Rio de Janeiro hotel prices quoted above are the lowest standard rates for a double room and include breakfast unless otherwise specified. Room rates in Rio incur a sales tax of 5% and a service charge of 10% which are usually added to the bill at the end of a stay.
Copacabana Palace
This elegant establishment is almost as famous as its beachfront location. Since it was built in 1923, famous figures including Robert De Niro, Marlene Dietrich, Orson Welles and Princess Diana have all visited Rio’s Copacabana Palace. The hotel’s building is one of the grandest in Rio de Janeiro and is protected by a preservation order. The plush interior is even more impressive, with marble floors, chandeliers, grand ballroom and elegantly decorated rooms. Facilities include a rooftop tennis court, a majestic swimming pool, a well-equipped fitness centre and a business centre. The two restaurants, Cipriani and Pergula, offer fine dining.
Fasano Rio
The latest luxury hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Fasano Rio is a place to see and be seen. Overlooking Ipanema Beach, this stylish designer hotel brings a modern concept of hospitality, elegance and sophisticated casualness rather than tacky opulence. The interiors are a joint venture of renowned architect Philippe Stark and the restaurateur and hotelier Rogério Fasano. The restaurant, Fasano Al Mare, is under the capable hands of three-Michelin-star chef Luca Gozzani.
Hotel Santa Teresa
Hotel Santa Teresa is Rio’s ultimate challenge - a boutique hotel far away from the beach. Hidden in the tropical lush of Santa Teresa, a bucolic neighbourhood of Rio, the mansion was originally built by coffee barons. A recent and tasteful renovation has brought the colonial architectural jewel back to its original shine, transforming it into one of the most glamorous hotels in Rio de Janeiro, a cool retreat high on the green hills of the artists' enclave of Santa Teresa. Facilities include a top-rated restaurant and swish, poolside cocktail bar. What once was a secluded and neglected area of Rio is now an exotic and intriguing destination in its own right.
Ipanema Plaza
The ideal choice for beach lovers, Ipanema Plaza is only a couple of blocks away from the white sandy dunes of Rio’s most exclusive ocean front, Ipanema Beach. This cool Rio hotel is modern and beautifully decorated, offering services of a deluxe complex, including 24-hour room service, fitness centre, swimming pool with panoramic views of the city. The hotel’s charming Opium Restaurant serves delicious Asian food and overlooks the colourful Farme de Amoedo.
Portinari Design Hotel
Rio de Janeiro's first design hotel is a modern establishment a few metres from Copacabana Beach. All 66 rooms have been individually styled by top Brazilian artists, giving the hotel an exclusive and contemporary feel. This Rio hotel is a popular choice with visitors who are looking for something a bit chic. All rooms are comfortable, with flatscreen TVs and broadband internet access. Other hotel facilities include a business centre, fitness studio with spa and sauna, and a rooftop restaurant.
Ritz Plaza Hotel Leblon
Located in the heart of Leblon, Rio’s most expensive square meter, Ritz Plaza Hotel Leblon offers quality services at affordable prices. Modern décor and up-to-date facilities are the key elements to this elegant Rio hotel surrounded by cinemas, theatres, shops, restaurants and the paradisiacal Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon.
Hotel Santa Clara
On a quiet street in Copacabana, Hotel Santa Clara is one of the best options for comfortable yet cheap hotels in Rio de Janeiro. The simple, quaintly old-fashioned rooms all have air conditioning and TV. The hotel's owner seems to have a penchant for art and the halls are decked out with lively pieces of modern art, while prints of famous paintings by European artists are displayed in the rooms. A continental breakfast is served and the bilingual reception staff are happy to assist guests with tours and visits to attractions.
Pousada Pitanga
Ideally located in the heart of the historical district of Santa Teresa, Pousada Pitanga is a trendy and stylish guest house in Rio. Since it opened in 2008, it has rapidly become a popular destination for travellers seeking alternative accommodation to packaged holidays and expensive hotels in Rio. Peacefully situated amongst old cobblestoned streets and hidden by the nearby forest, this charming guest house is also at walking distance from lively bars and restaurants.
San Marco Hotel
Located right in the heart of Ipanema, San Marco Hotel is the perfect choice for holidaymakers on a budget who want to take full advantage of the sunny days at the beach without missing out on Rio’s exciting nightlife. The hotel is surrounded by trendy bars, shops, restaurants and clubs. Tidy and functional rooms, friendly bilingual staff, wireless internet connection, a paradisiacal beach at walking distance and competitive rates make this hotel one of the best budget hotels in Rio.
Partner hotels in Rio de Janeiro
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