Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Rio de Janeiro is and one of the world’s hottest tourist destinations. This means that the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro all mix laidback Bahian vibes with the luxury you’re looking for.
If you’re headed to Rio to enjoy Carnival, samba, bossa nova, or even to visit Christ the Redeemer, then you’ll need a cosy place to rest your head as you recharge from all of the rich culture and sightseeing.
Here are seven of the best hotels in for your visit to one of Brazil’s most-visited cities.
While Sao Paulo might be Brazil’s most populated city, Rio de Janeiro has the advantage of being located directly on the Atlantic coastline.
This makes for stunning views from pretty much any hotel in Rio, but especially at Hotel Fasano.
Book a room here if you’re looking for elegance and luxury with a touch of romance.
Enjoy luxury rooms that feature mid-century styled furniture and marble showers. Or, head to the hotel’s infinity pool and swim a few laps as you peer over onto the crashing waves at Ipanema Beach.
Hotel Santa Teresa Rio calls the Lapa neighbourhood home, which is Rio’s most exciting nightlife district.
However, the hotel itself is tranquil and divine. The building itself was a coffee plantation that’s now home to 44 different guestrooms, all tucked away inside of the surrounding tropical gardens.
At this hotel, expect stunning views of the city and hints of Bahian culture. When you’re ready to get the night started, head to the hotel’s Moroccan souk-style, Bar Dos Descados.
Modern, tropical, and trendy, YOO2 Rio is one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro for travellers looking to indulge in the local nightlife.
When staying at this hotel, you’re smack dab in the middle of all the action, perfectly situated in between Copacabana and Ipanema as well as Flamengo and Lapa.
The luxury of this hotel won’t cost you all of your Brazilian reals, though, which is great as you’ll probably want to spend them at the bar sipping cachaça.
Art deco lovers – Belmond Copacabana Palace is calling your name! If you want to understand what it felt like to roam the golden beaches of Rio de Janeiro in the 1920s and 30s, then book a stay here.
The hotel has been a landmark in Rio since its opening in 1923, which is likely why celebrities have flocked there ever since.
Enjoy sprawling views of Copacabana Beach as you relax in your suite surrounded by antique furniture and opulence that you’ll only find here at Belmond Copacabana Palace.
Perhaps the most Instagrammable hotel in all of Rio de Janeiro, Mama Shelter is a French-owned chain that doesn’t feel like a chain at all.
From the moment walk in, you’re greeted by trendy murals all over the lobby walls, which carry you over into the hotel’s equally trendy bar.
For a lower price than you’ll find at some of Rio’s other trendy hotels, you can book a stay at Mama Shelter and enjoy cosy rooms along with the hotel’s live music and free film nights.
Looking for a trendy jungle retreat within the pumping heat of Rio de Janeiro? Head over to Les Jardins de Rio.
The hotel features spacious, bright rooms and an overall retro vibe. This is great if your Instagram style is more orange-hued and throwback style than anything else.
The best part? It’s one of the closest hotels to Christ the Redeemer. Just head straight up the hill next to the property.
Elizabeth has lived and worked in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, all of which have contributed to her passion for travel writing. When she's not writing, you can find her exploring little hideouts in Colombia or watching photography tutorials on YouTube. Contact: [email protected]
