Best Luxury Hotels in Copacabana, Rio De Janeiro

Miramar Hotel by Windsor is an upscale option in Copcabana's charming and vibrant Posto 6 area, a short walk from Ipanema. The hotel's top feature is its rooftop infinity pool with poolside bar and sweeping views of the ocean and mountains, though the famous beach across the street probably also merits a mention. There's a restaurant on site that serves an excellent free breakfast buffet, and the hotel's 200 sophisticated rooms have high-end touches like Nespresso machines and premium bath products -- some rooms come with ocean views. The hotel has more style than the nearby Orla Copacabana, though rates there can be significantly lower. 

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. 

Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana is a four-pearl hotel just across the road from quiet Leme Beach at the northern end of Copacabana. The Cardeal Arcoverde Metro station is less than 15 minutes from the hotel on foot, and the property offers a spa, hot tubs, fitness room, and two pools including one on the roof with great ocean views. The hotel also serves a busy free breakfast buffet with an excellent range of options. The 545 modern rooms are plush and inviting, and many have views of the ocean. Guests looking for a true luxury option in the area should consider the Belmond Copacabana Palace, though rates will be much higher.

The Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel is located across the street from the popular Copacabana beach. This clean, 117-room hotel is a good mid-range option with simple, sleek decor including blonde wood floors, small modern bathrooms, and a nearly all-white color palette. All rooms have stocked minibars and electric kettles, and some have balconies overlooking the ocean. The small rooftop pool, poolside bar, and fitness center all have great views, and on the beach, attendants provide guests with towels, chairs, and umbrellas. There are also tasty on-site restaurants (one with a free breakfast buffet), and 24-hour room service is available. However, there is a pesky fee for Wi-Fi and the spa only offers limited services.

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.