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Choose from our list of editor-loved properties and T+L award winners.

Pool of Fasano Rio de Janiero

Credit:Daniel Pinheiro/Fasano Rio de Janeiro

This list includes the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro, from iconic celebrity magnets to charming boutique hideaways.

Why Im the Expert

Alesandra Dubinnames Rio de Janeiro among her favorite travel destinations.

Because the pool is surrounded by buildings, it does not receive full sun all day.

Guest room in Copacabana Palace

Courtesy of Belmond

Its more than a century old, with a rich history of hosting all manner of celebrities and dignitaries.

There are 239 rooms and suites.

Theres also a spa with five treatment rooms.

Lobby of Janeiro Hotel

Courtesy of Janeiro Hotel

Copacabana Palace landed on our Worlds Best Awards list in 2023, its centennial year.

Some rooms face into a central atrium with enclosed balconies lacking in fresh air.

The on-site Terraneo restaurant offers Brazilian cuisine.

Guest room in Mama Ruisa

Courtesy of Mama Ruisa

Facilities also include the Mirante Health Club with impressive views, the Nirvana Spa, and beachside service.

And it was a winner of our Worlds Best Awards in 2022.

This hotel only accommodates guests age 12 and older.

Pool area of Emiliano Rio

Courtesy of Emiliano Rio

Janeiro made our It List in 2019.

“Ever since it opened in 2018, this has been my go-to hotel for annual trips to Rio.

Designed by Philippe Starck, this 89-room hotel is a gem on the Ipanema beachfront.

Pool area of Santa Teresa Hotel

Courtesy of Accor Hotels

Its architecture and interior design nod to midcentury Brazilian design and the Bossa Nova era.

Spa Fasano is located on the first floor.

And the hotels stunning infinity pool overlooks the beach, the Dois Irmaos Mountains, and the Corcovado.

Guest room in Fairmont Rio de Janeiro

Courtesy of Accor Hotels

In the space are Starck-designed mirrors that reflect blues from the pool, sea, and sky.

The hotel loans surfboards and bikes to guests.

Heads up that your booking guarantees a room category, but not a specific room.

Bar at Grand Hyatt rio de Janeiro

Courtesy of Hyatt

Art deco and vintage furniture pieces deck the space, mostly from midcentury Brazilian designers.

The hotel offers views of Guanabara Bay and Sugarloaf Mountain, and offers a tranquil, residential-feeling pool.

Suites are newly renovated with modern amenities.

View or rooftop bar at Hilton Rio Janeiro

Courtesy of Hilton

Breakfast on the terrace overlooking the Guanabara Bay (the fresh daily juices were my favorite part!)

and a swim in the pool surrounded by orchids are not to be missed!

Note that some rooms offer internal views.

Guest room in Miramar by Windsor Copacabana

Courtesy of Miramar Hotel by Windsor

Theres a rooftop bar and infinity pool with picture-perfect views.

The Santapele Spa offers soothing body treatments, and Emile Restaurant has an Italian menu with Brazilian accents.

It offers top-notch service and amenities, including a spa and fine dining restaurant.

Guest room of Yoo2 Rio de Janeiro

Courtesy of Hilton

While close to many key sightseeing attractions, this hotel is not located at the beach.

Its decor and architecture draws inspiration from the cocoa era, using locally-sourced materials.

The hotel also emphasizes sustainable practices and a strong connection to the community.

Guest room of Hotel Aproador

Courtesy of Hotel Aproador

Tereze restaurant offers French fine dining cuisine with a Latin American touch.

On-site are Le Spa, a swimming pool, lush gardens, and spaces for yoga and relaxation.

Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana

This hotel has a prime beachfront location and spectacular views.

Pool area of Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro

Courtesy of Hilton

Some reviewers experienced spotty service or aging room features.

Many rooms have private balconies and views of Sugarloaf.

Fairmont Rio is the first Fairmont Hotel in South America.

It offers the hotel-within-a-hotel concept Fairmont Gold, with boosted amenities like a private lounge and 24-hour butler service.

The hotel isnt in the best location for walkers, and housekeeping throughout the property can be spotty.

There are also three Brazilian restaurants on property.

The spacious property has 436 guest rooms, including 43 suites.

While they are spacious, rooms can be noisy and feel dated.

There are outdoor swimming pools overlooking Copacabana Beach, along with beach service.

Theres also a spa, fitness center, and three bars.

And the hotel is pet-friendly, too.

Noise levels may be a nuisance.

Beach service is also available.

The hotel also has a fitness room with modern equipment.

And its a pet-friendly property.

Rooms may feel cramped, and the location can feel isolating for walkers.

Theres a rooftop pool terrace with cabanas, as well as the Rooftop bar offering creative cocktails and wine.

The hotel also features a gym, spa, and bike rentals.

Comfortable rooms have tiled floors and a modern design; some have sweeping sea views.

The Arp Bar restaurant, helmed by chef Lucas Lemos, serves up coastal cuisine.

The hotel also offers beach service, bikes, and yoga practice complimentary to guests.

On the terrace are a sauna, wellness room, and the Mare Spa.

The rooftop infinity pool offers sweeping views over the city and sea.

In August 2024, the property plans to launch a new rooftop lounge bar.

The aesthetic here is spare and modern.

Rooms have balconies with sea or neighborhood views.

Theres also a sauna, whirlpool, spa, and infinity pool with ocean views.

This hotel sits on Recreio dos Bandeirantes beach in the West Zone area of the city.

Prioritize safety

Rio has long had a reputation for crime.

The key for tourists is to remain vigilant and exercise common sense.

(Before my visit I was concerned about safety in Copacabana, but never felt threatened there.)

I was wrong, as Portuguese looked totally unfamiliar.