Rio de Janeiro

While Brasilia is the official capital, and is fascinating for anyone with an interest in modern architecture, Brazil’s spiritual capital is Rio de Janeiro, with surely one of the most beautiful settings in the world. The Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains overshadow the city and the beaches include famous Copacabana and fashionable Ipanema. Tourists flock here in February or March for the annual Carnival, probably the most spectacular in the world.

Our preferred accommodation

Belmond Copacabana Palace

City hotel - Copacabana
This iconic luxury property (owned by Belmond, formerly Orient-Express), steps away from Copacabana beach, opened in 1923 and has first class service. There is a large heated swimming pool, spa, tennis court, the renowned Cipriani restaurant, a pan-Asian restaurant (the vision of celebrity chef Ken Hom), casual pool-side restaurant and piano bar.
Fairmont Copacabana

City hotel - Copacabana
A large luxury hotel in a prime position on the Ipanema end of Copacabana beach. The hotel was designed with inspiration from 1950s Rio and has a restaurant which overlooks the ocean, a café, bar, spa and two swimming pools. Its position allows easy access to Ipanema with its stylish shops, restaurants and bars.
Hotel Arpoador

City hotel - Ipanema
This small hotel, in a prime position opposite Arpoador beach and nestled between the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, is separated from the sand by only the beach promenade. The rooftop has a small pool and pool bar with a spectacular view of Ipanema and Leblon beaches, with Dois Irmãos mountain in the background. The restaurant is on the ground floor and has direct access to the beach.
Porto Bay Rio de Janeiro

City hotel - Copacabana
A modern, ocean-front hotel in central Copacabana. There is a restaurant and a bar on the lower floors and a lovely roof terrace with a small pool and bar. The staff are extremely polite and helpful and the corner rooms offer fantastic panoramic views of the beach.
Santa Teresa Hotel

City hotel - Santa Teresa
A stylish hotel in Santa Teresa, previously an historic coffee plantation mansion. A lofty reception area is full of Brazilian artwork and the tropical décor is influenced by the Afro-Brazilian and ethnic Indian cultures. The pool and hot tub area has a long seated bar with excellent views over Rio. The main bar adjacent to the wonderful restaurant is perfect for a cool caipirinha.
Vila Santa Teresa

Country hotel - Santa Teresa
An elegant boutique property set within a five hectare private estate in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood. The hotel is owned by the Monteiro de Carvalho family who have lived on the estate for the past four generations. There are spectacular views over the city and bay and communal areas include a lounge, library, dining room and pool deck.
Windsor Martinique

City hotel - Copacabana
A comfortable hotel set one block back from the iconic Copacabana beach. There is a bar, restaurant, gym and outdoor pool on the hotel's rooftop.
Windsor Miramar

City hotel - Copacabana
A modern 5-star ocean-front hotel in Copacabana. There are 200 rooms, a restaurant serving Brazilian and international cuisine, a rooftop fitness centre, and a swimming pool with views of Copacabana beach.