Hôtels de luxe en Brazil

Flat Barra Residence-4 pessoas-Fa1204-3 occupies a suite in the Bourbon complex, facing Avenida Malibu, a stone's throw from the sand. We are far from postcard Rio, here it's Barra: recent towers, shopping centres, family beach. The apartment accommodates four people, has an equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi connection, and gives access to the hotel's pool and fitness centre. Room service and the establishment's restaurant come in handy when we do not want to go out. The rating of 9,6/10 on 45 reviews testifies to serious management, from 67 € per night. For those seeking Rio without the hustle of Copacabana, it is a pragmatic option.

The Copacabana Palace has held the corner of Avenida Atlântica and the beach for a century, white colonnaded façade in the style of the great Mediterranean hotels of the 1920s. We sleep in rooms with lacquered woodwork, Hermès fabrics, Carrara marble in the bathrooms, views over the Atlantic or the indoor pool. The pool alone justifies the detour: Klein blue tiling, teak loungers, royal palms, open until 19h. The service remains impeccable, discreet, never obsequious. Two restaurants including the Michelin-starred Mee, Pergula bar for caipirinhas in the late afternoon. From 609 € a night, expect 800 € in high season. We book here to sleep in the living myth of Rio ✨

Villa Paranaguá Hotel & Spa occupies a restored colonial residence in Santa Teresa, the artists' district on the hillside. We take the historic yellow tramway up, the hotel stands three bends from the station. The rooms blend Portuguese azulejos, dark Brazilian wood, thick white linen, bathrooms in Minas Gerais stone. The infinity pool overlooks the bay, Sugarloaf in the distance, Copacabana below. The spa offers signature massages with copaiba oil, cabins open onto the tropical garden. From 320 € per night, rating 9.5/10 on 321 reviews, placing the Villa in the top trio of Rio boutique hotels. We stayed three nights, the service remains attentive without being intrusive ✨.

Vila Santa Teresa occupies a restored colonial mansion on the heights of Rio, at 300 metres altitude. We sleep in eight rooms spread between the main house and two pavilions, all different, some with private terrace overlooking the bay. The spa offers massages and treatments in a separate pavilion, the infinity pool captures the late afternoon light on Sugarloaf. Materials are simple: raw wood, white linen, Portuguese cement tiles, vintage furniture. Service remains discreet, the atmosphere that of a private home rather than a classic hotel. From 488 € per night, breakfast included. We come here for the confidential address and the view, not for the facilities of an urban palace ✨

The Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro occupies 28 floors on Avenida Lúcio Costa, facing Barra beach. We sleep in rooms with sand and light wood tones, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, ocean or lagoon views depending on the floor. The 1 200 m² spa offers hammam, sauna and treatment cabins with Brazilian products. The two pools (one indoor, one outdoor overflow) alone justify the detour, especially in late afternoon when the light turns to gold. The service is well-oiled, efficient without being warm, typical of large international chains. From 223 € a night, it is the good value for money for a 5★ by the sea in Rio. We recommend it for beach and business stays, less for carioca immersion ✨

The Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro occupies a modern building on Avenida Engenheiro Carlos Carvalho, in the business district of Barra da Tijuca. We are far from Copacabana and Ipanema, but close to the convention centres and the Olympic Park. The rooms follow the Hilton standard: beige carpet, correct bedding, functional desk, light marble bathrooms. The outdoor pool offers a welcome respite after meetings, the fitness centre is equipped without surprises. The service remains professional, the clientele mostly corporate. At 88 € per night, it is a solid base for a business or family stay without pretension, but we do not come here for the carioca soul.

The Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro occupies a colonial mansion from 1850, renovated in 2015, in the bohemian district of the carioca artists. We climb steep alleys, push the gate, and the city disappears behind the palm trees and bougainvilleas. The rooms mix Portuguese azulejos, dark wood and embroidered fabrics, some with balcony over the bay, others over the inner garden. The Clarins spa offers four cabins and a menu of short treatments (50 min max), the pool remains the real asset, open until 8pm. The service is attentive without being stiff, we feel the MGallery management upholding the standards. From 440 € per night, a price justified by the view and the calm, rare in Rio ✨

JANEIRO Hotel occupies the corner of avenue Delfim Moreira, Leblon seafront, and we quickly understand that this is the most expensive neighbourhood in Rio. The rooms play the card of contemporary Brazilian minimalism: light wood, white linen, floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Atlantic. The infinity pool on the top floor extends the horizon line, caipirinha service until sunset. The spa offers signature treatments based on açaí and cupuaçu, local products without folklore. We tested the restaurant Oteque, one Michelin star, technical Brazilian cuisine without show. From 552 € per night, a fitting rate for Leblon in high season ✨

L'Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro occupies an eight-storey building facing Ipanema beach, Avenida Vieira Souto, since 2007. Philippe Starck designed the interiors: dark mahogany, Havana leather, travertine marble, subdued light even in broad daylight. We sleep in rooms with 1950s lines, floor-to-ceiling windows on the ocean, bathrooms in grey stone. The rooftop houses a narrow but sufficient pool, teak sun loungers, clear views of Dois Irmãos and the Atlantic. The service remains discreet, efficient, never obsequious. From 880 € the night, it is the price of Italian design on Carioca sand ✨

Le Miramar By Windsor Copacabana occupies a white building on Avenida Atlântica, facing the beach, between lifeguard posts 5 and 6. We slept ocean side: floor-to-ceiling glass windows, light parquet, lacquered wood furniture, grey marble bathroom. The rooftop pool offers a clear view over the curve of Copacabana, teak loungers, discreet towel service. The fitness centre is equipped with Technogym, open 24/7, air-conditioned. The Booking rating (8.9/10 from 4 725 reviews) reflects solid management, without showiness. From 143 € a night, it is a rare value for money for a 5★ beachfront in Rio ✨