Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest cities, not just in Brazil, but also in South America. The city characterizes for its beautiful beaches, which makes it one of the best holiday destinations. Even better, most of these beaches are located in front of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro.
The city faces the Atlantic Ocean and lies near the Tropic of Capricorn. Therefore, it features a tropical, humid climate. The best time to visit is between December and March. During these months, the weather is sunny and warm enough without being uncomfortable. It’s also when the most relevant festivities occur. However, this time is considered as the city’s high season, which means that airfares and hotel rates will be higher. To guarantee your trip, make sure to book in advance. Hotel-wise, plenty of options are available throughout these most beautiful places in Brazil. Depending on your travel preferences, choose the one that fits best your needs.
Throughout the city, you’ll also find tropical forests where you can go hiking and cycling. But what makes the city unique is the Rio Carnival held every year. It’s known as “the greatest show on earth” and also as the main festivity of the country. If you enjoy live music, singing, parties, and parades, make sure to visit during one of the best carnivals around the world.
There’s a wide variety of places you can visit in Rio de Janeiro. However, there are some attractions you can’t miss when visiting the city. Christ the Redeemer is one of them. One of the most famous statues in the world that overlooks the city, it provides you with the best panoramic views. If you’re a sports enthusiast, you need to visit Maracanã, the largest stadium in the country. And to get the complete experience of Rio de Janeiro’s tourism offer, visit the rock peak of Sugarloaf. Read more about these on Top Things To Do in Rio, including Rio’s photo hot spot!
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
When it comes to choosing where to stay in Rio de Janeiro, several options are available. If you want a luxurious experience on the beach, visit the neighborhoods of Ipanema or Leblon. The hotels in these areas feature outstanding views of the ocean and lake. For those who want the complete Rio de Janeiro experience, Copacabana is the place to go. It’s the most popular beach destination in the city. There you’ll also find some of the best restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. And its convenient location allows quick transportation to other parts of the city. Also, it’s the region where most of the best hotels are located. Now, if you want a laid-back, tranquil vacation away from the city, stay in the neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca. There you can enjoy white sand beaches without the multitudes of tourists.
Hotel Atlantico Prime
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If you’re a museum enthusiast, Hotel Atlantico Prime is your best option. Located in the center of Rio de Janeiro, some of the best attractions are nearby. Modern Art Museum is only 0.9mi (1.5km) from the hotel, while the Museum of Tomorrow is 1.5mi (2.1km) away. It’s the perfect location to join the Historical Walking Tour. You’ll get to can learn about the city’s history and architecture. Other nearby sites include the Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro and the Selarón Steps, which are less than a mile away. Also, Santos Dumont Airport is 1.2mi (2km) from the hotel’s accommodations.
Hotel Atlantico Prime also features a fitness center equipped with modern gym machines. On-site, you’ll also find a restaurant and coffee shop. The restaurant serves both continental and buffet breakfast every morning. And during lunch and dinnertime, à la carte options are available. Not only the exterior, but the rooms also feature a modern design. They’re decorated with contemporary furniture, and all of them include a minibar. The hotel’s affordable rates itself make it one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro.
Mirador Rio Copacabana Hotel
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Mirador Rio Copacabana Hotel is a modern hotel located in front of Copacabana Beach. The hotel features a terrace swimming pool that provides you with outstanding panoramic views of the city. The on-site restaurant, Restaurant Vila Real, offers buffet breakfast and plenty of international dishes for lunch and dinnertime. On-site, you’ll also find a fitness center and a sauna. For your comfort, the hotel offers a rental service for cars and bicycles.
Nature lovers will enjoy the hotel’s closeness to two parks. Chacrinha Park and Catacumba Park are less than 0.7mi (1.2km) away. Also, the famous landmark Christ the Redeemer is only 1.8mi (2.9km) from the hotel. The rooms are luxurious, and they offer scenic views of the mountains, city, and ocean. And if you’re traveling with your family, interconnected and family rooms are available. Despite being one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro, the room rates are pretty affordable.
Hotel Astoria Place
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Located on Copacabana Beach, Hotel Astoria Palace is a modern beachfront hotel. It features an on-site restaurant that serves buffet breakfasts and à la carte Brazilian dishes for lunch and dinner. It also has an on-site bar where you can enjoy a wide variety of cocktails. At the terrace, you’ll find a two-level pool that overlooks the ocean. If you’re a gym enthusiast, visit the hotel’s fitness center for a quick workout. Also, the hotel has a sauna where you can relax after a long day at the beach. Isn’t this all you need from one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro on the beach?
Shopaholics love the hotel’s closeness to the Rio Sul Shopping Center. And if you enjoy watersports, go surfing at Copacabana Beach. The spacious rooms offer supreme comfort. They also feature a minibar and provide stunning views of the ocean. Some of them also include a hot tub, so if this is something you’d like, make sure to book the specific room.
Hotel Arpoador
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Hotel Arpoador is a beachfront hotel situated in front of the beautiful Ipanema Beach. The exterior features a contemporary 6-story building. Meanwhile, the rooms feature a luxurious design that makes your stay pleasant. If you want to enjoy panoramic ocean views, choose one of the front rooms. There’s an on-site restaurant that serves Brazilian gourmet made with organic products. Even better, there’s a porch if you want to eat outdoors. The restaurant itself makes it one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro.
At the bar, you can enjoy a selection of tropical caipirinhas, cocktails, wines, and beers. Nearby attractions include the famous Girl of Ipanema Park and Galeria River at 0.18mi (0.3km) away. If you want to explore the town, rent a bike at the front desk. But if you prefer to stay indoors, relax at the hotel’s wellness center. There you’ll find a sauna and different types of massages at an additional fee. Rates are higher compared to other hotels in the area, but all the amenities offered make it worth it.
Belmond Copacabana Palace
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Belmond Copacabana Palace is a 5-star beachfront hotel located on Copacabana Beach. It features not only one but three on-site gourmet restaurants, making it one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro. The Pérgula Restaurant offers delicious seafood and Brazilian specialties. Meanwhile, Cipriani Restaurant serves Italian cuisine, and the Copacabana Piano Bar has the best cocktails. The hotel also has an on-site fitness and wellness center, where you can work out and enjoy numerous spa and beauty treatments.
If you’re a sports fanatic, you’ll love the hotel’s tennis court. At an additional cost, walking tours are also available. You can also visit the Chacrinha Park at 0.49mi (0.8km) and the Sugarloaf Mountain at 1.9mi (3.2km). Both the exterior and interior features an English style and design. The rooms have English antique furniture that provides a classy, elegant ambient. Their rates are higher, but the luxurious ambient makes it a worthwhile experience.
Miramar Hotel by Windsor
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If you want to stay in one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro on the beach, visit the Miramar Hotel by Windsor. Located in Copacabana Beach, this beachfront hotel offers modern accommodations. At the terrace, you’ll find an infinity granite pool that overlooks the sea. Swim while enjoying the incredible ocean view! On-site, there’s a gym, sauna, and restaurant. But if you prefer, get the butler service to help you with dining or just order up from the room service. But before that, enjoy sunbathing at the sun deck or at the spa’s solarium.
For your comfort, the hotel provides airport transportation. The rooms feature both a coffee machine and minibar. Even better, they’re pet-friendly. Perfect for traveling with your four-legged babies! Rates are average for the amenities provided, and discounts are always available. If you want to get a glimpse of Rio de Janeiro’s nightlife, visit any of the nearby bars, restaurants, and nightclubs on foot.
Windsor Leme
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Located across Leme Beach, Windsor Leme is an excellent option if you want to explore the city. Nearby is Avenida Atlantica, where you can visit a wide variety of restaurants, bars, shops, and nightclubs. The hotel features a rooftop infinity pool that faces the ocean. The on-site restaurant serves a buffet breakfast made with locally sourced fruits and bread. Yum! And for lunch and dinnertime, you can enjoy à la carte international dishes.
Some nearby attractions include the Duque de Caxias Fort at 0.3mi (0.5km) and the famous golden sand Praia Vermelha, which is 0.6mi (1.1km) away. The rooms are decored with antique furniture, providing a cozy yet elegant ambient. Depending on their location, they offer panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the city. But what makes it one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro is the affordable rates. Overall, this hotel offers a luxurious vacation experience without breaking the bank.
Ritz Copacabana Boutique Hotel
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Ritz Copacabana Boutique Hotel features not only a modern tall building but also modern styled rooms. Each provides either a city or ocean view, and all of them have minibars. At the terrace pool, you can swim while enjoying scenic Atlantic Ocean views. On-site, you’ll find an on-site bar that offers a wide variety of cocktails and wines. Meanwhile, the on-site restaurant serves Brazilian cuisine. A kids’ menu is also available, making it a good family-friendly option.
Less than a mile away, you’ll find the Catacumba Park, Peter Pan Park, Army Historic Museum, and Copacabana Fort. The hotel faces Copacabana Beach, but if you prefer, several other beaches are nearby. At 0.8mi (1.3km), you can visit the Arpoador Beach and Ipanema Beach. Overall, we love the hotel’s super affordable rates. It’s not only one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro, but also the best option if you’re on a budget.
PortoBay Rio de Janeiro
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PortoBay Rio de Janeiro, also located on Copacabana Beach, is a luxurious hotel. It features a rooftop pool and sun deck where you can swim or lie under the sun while overlooking the ocean. La Finestra, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, serves international and Brazilian cuisine made with fresh, local products. Meanwhile, the bar offers both traditional and experimental cocktails. Make sure you’re around during the happy hour deals!
The rooms are spacious and provide a luxurious ambient. Depending on the location, each overlooks the ocean or the city. And some of them have a balcony where you can appreciate the view better. For newlyweds, honeymoon suites are also available. Perfect for a romantic getaway with your partner! If you’re a nature lover, visit the park Pasmado Belvedere, which is only 0.7mi (1.2km) from the hotel. The room rates are higher, but discounts on low seasons are always available.
Windsor Oceânico
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Located in the Barra da Tijuca district, Windsor Oceânico is the perfect option if you want a laid-back vacation spot. It features a rooftop pool where you can swim and relax while enjoying the Atlantic Ocean view. The hotel also has a fitness center, ideal if you want to keep up with your workout routine while vacationing. The on-site spa offers massages, a steam room, and a solarium. Now you can work on your tan without the hassle of laying under the sun!
The hotel’s restaurant offers a cozy ambient where you can enjoy delicious local food. Traveling with the little ones? Kids’ meals are also available. Meanwhile, the bar features a luxurious and elegant design. The rooms are equipped with modern and contemporary furniture, and they’re also soundproof. The rates are affordable for a 4-star hotel. Even better, discounts are always available, making it one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro.
Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro
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Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro is a 5-star hotel that offers the best accommodations and features. Situated in the center of Barra da Tijuca, it faces not only the ocean but also the mountains and the city, which provides you with unique panoramic views. With a private beach area and two outdoor pools available all year round, you will always have options for relaxation. And when it comes to activity, the hotel offers an option for everyone. For those who love sports, aerobics, ping-pong tables, and a golf course are available. Also, at an additional charge, you can sign up for a Brazilian cooking class!
Off-site, the hotel’s location provides you with a wide variety of nearby attractions. Marapendi Lagoon and City of Arts are less than a mile away. And if you want to get a glimpse of Rio de Janeiro’s nature, visit the Bosque da Barra Park at 1.4mi (2.3km). But it’s not that you can’t enjoy nature from the comfort of your room. All of the rooms have a balcony and bathtub, perfect for relaxing after a long day under the sun. Most of them have higher rates, but the experience you get is worth every penny. After all, this 5-star hotel is the best of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Rio de Janeiro:
- Adega Santiago – Enjoy delicious Spanish and Portuguese dishes while overlooking the city. It offers an exquisite wine selection.
- Lasai – It’s not only one of the best restaurants in Rio de Janeiro but also in Latin America. Enjoy your meals while viewing Christ the Redeemer.
- Olympe – If you love experimental cuisine, Olympe is the place to go. French and Portuguese dishes are also available.
- Prana Cozinha Vegetariana – This restaurant serves the best vegetarian meals. You can eat both indoors and outdoors.
- Marius Degustare – A rustic restaurant that features nautical décor. You can enjoy a mixture of Mediterranean and Brazilian cuisine.
Recommended Activities In Rio de Janeiro:
- Tijuca Forest Adventure – The perfect attraction for nature lovers. Visit the Tijuca Forest National Park for a unique hiking experience.
- Museu Histórico do Exército e Forte de Copacabana – Visit the famous Forte de Copacabana, built in 1914. The museum has several interactive exhibitions.
- Urban Arts Walking Tour – Enjoy a unique experience viewing the city’s urban art. You’ll visit the world’s largest street mural.
