Best Party Hotels in Brazil

The palatial 243-room Belmond Copacabana Palace is an historic Art Deco hotel just off the beach in Rio De Janeiro. The luxury property, now part of the Belmond hotel group, is classic and classy, with spacious, high-ceilinged common spaces and service staff that attend to guests throughout the hotel, the pool, and on the beach. Rooms are plush and elegant, and many have city or ocean views, well-stocked minibars, and beautifully tiled Juliet balconies. Features include a luxe spa, heated outdoor pool, and three highly regarded restaurants, as well as a lounge with a live DJ. This is one of the best hotels in town, and among the most expensive. Guests seeking something less formal, though still luxurious, could try Hotel Santa Teresa MGallery by Sofitel, which sits upon a tropically landscaped former coffee plantation. 

The 95-room Hotel Unique is a trendy pick near Sao Paulo's equivalent of Central Park. The rooftop bar, restaurant, and pool all overlook the park and have beautiful skyline views. The all-white rooms have a bit of a South Beach vibe and feature sexy open bathrooms with separate showers and soaking tubs (though some guests might think they lack privacy). In-room amenities include big flat-screen TVs, different pillow treats every day, and 24-hour room service. Hotel highlights include a large, open lobby with patterned rugs, funky furniture, and a nice lobby bar. An indoor pool, fitness center, steam room, and sauna are all available on-site. While this boat-shaped hotel is not located in the most central neighborhood, it is near attractions such as the Modern Art Museum, Ibirapuera Park, and restaurants.

If an all-inclusive luxury resort experience is what you’re after, Vila Galé Marés might not measure up to the posh Iberostar Praia do Forte just up the road, but for about half the price,Vila Galé Marés is well over half as good. As evidenced by the sizable crowds -- mostly middle-class Brazilian families with young children -- the more affordable value isn’t exactly a secret. If you're in Brazil to explore the culture and architecture, this resort is not ideal, considering that it's situated about an hour outside of Salvador. But because it’s located on a quiet beach with a beautiful expanse of swimming pools and tennis courts, along with a special kids’ club and plethora of on-site restaurants, it’s suitable for relaxation, with a chance to explore the outdoors.

Opened in 2012, this hip, simple hostel -- located in the heart of the lively Lapa district -- has become one of the most popular spots for budget travelers and backpackers. It is located in an old historical building that has character, high ceilings, and a nice courtyard. Room options include those with private or shared baths and they vary in size, but all have air-conditioning. Amenities are few, but the common areas are cozy and the room rate includes Wi-Fi. The hostel only accepts guests 18 and above.

Maksoud Plaza has been a well-known establishment in Sao Paulo for decades. This storied four-pearl hotel with 416 rooms and suites has a vibe that oscillates between vintage and, perhaps too often, dated. Nothing about the hotel is boring -- one-of-a-kind features include a vintage bar named after Frank Sinatra, an indoor pool, and a habitable art installation. While the history and grandeur might dazzle at first, the devil is in the details: carpets are worn, furniture is old-fashioned, bathrooms are overdue for updates. It’s true that some elements don’t live up to the upscale category, but when considering all the hotel offers at reasonable prices, the Maksoud becomes an appealing option with charm for days. A much more modern luxury alternative is the Tivoli Mofarrej -- but prices are higher. 

Once part of Marriott’s Renaissance chain, the upper-middle-range Sauípe Fun is now part of the Brazilian Costa do Sauípe complex. It’s undergone a makeover that’s entailed playing loud, upbeat music in the pool area 24/7 -- discouraging many guests from choosing a room with a pool/beach view -- and serving second-rate food at its all-inclusive buffets. Isolated on its own resort grounds, Sauípe Fun is steps away from a beautiful beach, thus best suited for families or groups of friends wanting to spend most of their time swimming and sunbathing.

The two-pearl Bonita Ipanema opened in 2008, one block away from Praza General Osorio, in the heart of Ipanema on a quiet side-street location in an historical building. It was once home to the composer of "The Girl from Ipanema." Today, the hostel offers 25 simple private rooms (some with a private bathroom) and four dormitories. Rooms are basic and tiny with obvious damage, especially in the bathrooms. Wi-Fi and breakfast are free. Guests can cook in the communal kitchen or party with inexpensive drinks from the bar next to the small outdoor pool. The majority of guests are young backpackers on a budget and the nightly noise level is indicative of the crowd.

The four-pearl Pestana Rio Atlantica is located on lively Copacabana Beach. The 217 rooms are clean and verge on chic with modern features like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Some rooms overlook the beach, but they look a bit tired. The hotel’s amenities include a pretty rooftop pool, beach facility, buffet restaurant, free breakfast, spa, and plenty of meeting facilities. Service is overall good, but with a generally booked hotel, it can feel overcrowded at breakfast, in the pool area, or in front of the elevators. As an alternative, it may be worth pricing the beachfront Golden Tulip Regente which underwent renovations in 2015. 

The Bamboo Rio Hostel is a two-pearl option built on a quiet side street in Copacabana, three blocks from the party scene at Copacabana Beach and with several restaurants, bars, shops, and supermarkets in the neighborhood. The hostel offers three worn private rooms and gender segregated dormitories, catering mainly to young travelers and backpackers. Wi-Fi is free in all areas, and a simple breakfast -- included in the room rate --  is served in the Bamboo Restaurant and Bar. A communal kitchen facility and tiny plunge pool are decent perks for this price point. The dormitory beds are among the cheapest accommodation options you can find in the expensive Copacabana tourism scene.

The Copacabana Mar Hotel is a budget option two blocks from the party scene on Copacabana Beach. It's a good spot for those who care more about location and low rates than frills. Highlights include a free hot breakfast buffet, tiny rooftop pool with mountain and city views, and a lobby bar and restaurant renovated in 2013. Some rooms are on the small side and bathrooms definitely need maintenance work, but are clean overall. A fitness center and sauna sound like nice perks, but both are extremely out of date. Past guests have complained about everything from noise to weak (but free) Wi-Fi. 

For those looking to escape to a tropical beach resort with their family, friends, or business associates, the Sauípe Park is paradise, with everything from a private beach to a golf course, pond, and full-service spa. Although the 404-room property is within walking distance of an authentic village -- Nova da Praia -- it is isolated in its own resort complex that doesn’t provide much flavor or ambiance from real Brazilian culture. Still, the beach is spectacular, and kids have plenty to keep them occupied with their own play area and pool. Because the grounds are equipped with a large conference center, it’s also a convenient option for events and business gatherings. Just be aware that the airport is about an hour and a half drive away and that the resort is packed around holidays.