From grand hotels on Copacabana to intimate retreats in Santa Teresa, these stays capture Rio’s singular mix of beach life, Brazilian design, and warm hospitality. “I live where you vacation” takes on a whole other meaning when, like me, you’re based in Rio de Janeiro. I live smack in the middle of South America’s two hottest beaches—Copacabana and Ipanema—but it’s not the ocean that keeps me in Brazil’s buzziest city.
It’s the life that happens around it. It’s the sound of the first coconuts being cut open on the beach in the early morning, the sight of barefoot surfers passing beneath my window, and the honey-like melody of bossa nova flowing from a nearby beach kiosk. Not everyone can live here, of course. But luckily, the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro give you a good taste of what it feels like to be a local in Brazil’s most exciting metropolis.
Over the past six years, I’ve come to appreciate how each neighborhood lets you experience the city differently. Copacabana delivers the high-energy hustle and bustle you’d expect from a place that hosts the biggest Carnival celebration on Earth. In contrast, Leblon offers a quieter, more upscale seaside rhythm. And then there’s Santa Teresa, secluded on the forested hilltops, a tried-and-true bohemian village that’s managed to hold onto its personality despite the city’s rising tourism numbers.
The hotels below span these special neighborhoods, with each property offering its own unique take on life in Rio, with Brazilian design, memorable views, and hospitality that’ll make you want to stick around just a little bit longer. Read on for the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro, according to our editors.
Source: www.cntraveler.com
