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Belmond Copacabana Palace
Between the sea, sand and mountains, only one building is recognizable: a palatial grand hotel, the Copacabana Palace.
Fasano Rio
This luxury hotel, opened in 2007, is the oceanfront offshoot of one of São Paulo’s most prestigious addresses. With eighty-nine rooms and suites, Fasano Rio has spectacular views of Ipanema Beach and one of the sexiest rooftop pools in South America.
A joint effort by Rojerio Fasano and Philippe Starck, the property features a design scheme that is contemporary-sleek with a funky twist. Accommodations are inherently masculine in feel, encapsulated in floor-to-ceiling dark wood with leather accent chairs and black-and-white photographs. Touches by Starck – a kidney-shaped mirror above the bed and two tree-stumps as side tables – add a bit of whimsy. Ocean-front accommodations above the fifth floor are highly recommended – the Fasano faces a noisy street – and include several deluxe rooms, seven suites and three open-plan deluxe suites with wrap-around terraces. A nice option for families or groups, the latter can be converted into mini apartments by adjoining a suite and superior room.
Amenities like Egyptian cotton linens and goose-down pillows, butler and limousine service, airport transfers and fully equipped workstations with broadband Internet bring 21st-century comfort to a late-’50s bossa-nova ambiance.
Hotel Santa Teresa
Opened in 2008, this property is located in a lovingly restored historic fazenda, or mansion, in the hip Santa Teresa neighborhood (akin to Brooklyn in New York). Set up a hill about twenty minutes inland from the beach, the Santa Teresa is a stylish enclave that offers a more intimate, boutique experience than that of the Fasano or Copacabana.
The forty-one hotel rooms showcase a gorgeous Brazilian contemporary design – the use of materials such as wild cotton, tropical wood, stone, and natural linens give the interiors an organic aesthetic. Each room showcases art pieces by a range of Brazilian designers, and is equipped with modern-day amenities such as LCD TVs and WIFI. Junior suites offer an adequate amount space, wooden four-poster beds and prime placement within the hotel for better views. The Loft Suite has a terrace with panoramic vistas over the city.
The Santa Teresa’s focus on food and wine is evident in the Térèze restaurant and bohemian bar/lounge. Where more attention should be paid is on service, which oftentimes is non-existent. The pool area is small and nothing special, but perfectly enjoyable with views of the city. The French owners are committed to sustainable tourism so are involved in a number of philanthropic community projects in Rio.
Mama Ruisa
Santa Teresa is Rio’s Montmartre—a funky, colorful hillside neighborhood with fabulous views of central Rio, interesting bars and restaurants (including a local favorite, chef Ana Castilho’s Aprazível) and a lively community of artists and musicians. No wonder French-born owner Jean-Michel Ruis felt right at home here and turned a lovingly restored 19th-century bourgeois mansion into a seven-room bed and breakfast with 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay. A personalized airport transfer service can be arranged for a small fee. Rooms are basic, but each offers funky design elements and are large given the size of the property. A small courtyard and pool enjoys picturesque views of the city and ocean.
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