Hotels · Our pick in Rio
Where Rio sleeps: from the Palace to the hills
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Copacabana Palace, A Belmond HotelAbout Where Rio sleeps: from the Palace to the hills
Rio’s grand hotels face the sea. The Copacabana Palace opened on the Avenida Atlântica in 1923, in Belmond’s words during the centennial of Brazil’s independence, and it still sets the tone for the whole beachfront. Further along Copacabana are the Fairmont, by the fort at Posto 6, and the Emiliano. Round the point at Arpoador, Ipanema and Leblon have the Fasano on the Avenida Vieira Souto, the Hotel Arpoador on the rocks and the Janeiro Hotel at the Leblon end. Away from the sand, the Santa Teresa Hotel looks down from its hill, and the Vila Galé has made a hotel of a mansion in Lapa.
Copacabana and Leme
The Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, stands at Avenida Atlântica 1702; its restaurant Mee holds One MICHELIN Star in the 2026 guide. Belmond notes that the Pool Wing is closed for renovation until November 2026, while the main building stays open. The Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana is at Avenida Atlântica 4240, at the Posto 6 end, with Marine Restô in the 2026 MICHELIN selection; the Hotel Emiliano is at Avenida Atlântica 3804, with its Spa Santapele.
Ipanema and Leblon
The Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro is at Avenida Vieira Souto 80, on the Ipanema seafront. The Hotel Arpoador is at Rua Francisco Otaviano 177, on the rocks between Copacabana and Ipanema, and the Ipanema Inn is a smaller, simpler address on Rua Maria Quitéria, a block from the beach. The Janeiro Hotel faces the sea at Leblon.
You don’t need a room to see the Palace: book Mee, its one-star restaurant, or a drink at the Pool Bar.
Santa Teresa and Lapa
The Santa Teresa Hotel RJ – MGallery, home of Térèze (in the 2026 MICHELIN selection), sits on the hill at Rua Felicio dos Santos 15. Below in Lapa, the Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro occupies a restored mansion at Rua Riachuelo 124.
Our advice: choose the beach first. Copacabana is lively and central, Ipanema and Leblon quieter and smarter, and Santa Teresa a retreat above the city.
Why it's on our list
- Copacabana and Leme
- Ipanema and Leblon
- Santa Teresa and Lapa
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Where Rio sleeps: from the Palace to the hills before you go.
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