Belmond Copacabana Palace

The Copacabana Palace feels less like a hotel and more like a pause in time — a sanctuary where light, service, and serenity move in perfect rhythm. Every detail carries intention. Every interaction holds a quiet grace. From the calm of the suites to the gentle choreography of the staff, the entire experience feels curated with a rare kind of hospitality — one that lingers long after you leave. It is a place where Rio softens, where the world slows, and where you are reminded how beautiful true luxury can be.

If you arrive before your room is ready on Sunday, be prepared. The only option to eat real food for lunch is paying R$1,100 (US$200) for Brunch or be sent to scorching sun on the pool for snacks (the packed pool, that is). No other restaurants available and no option for a light meal. Plus, the overpriced brunch starts at 1pm, so if you arrive ahead of a late lunch and are hungry, good luck. But they are of course glad to send you outside with recommendations nearby, where the odds of being mugged are quite high. How this level of dining service gets a five start hotel rating is baffling.

The Copacabana Palace is considered one of the best hotels in South America – and it truly deserves that reputation. I spent four nights there in December 2025 and was very satisfied overall. The hotel has a famous history; some of the world’s most important personalities have stayed here, and for several years now it has been operated by the highly esteemed Belmond group. The service is excellent. There are many small touches that delight you as a guest, even if you’ve experienced a lot already. For example, upon departure you receive a small bag containing a rose quartz and a card from the jeweler Stern, explaining that you are taking a piece of Brazil – and a piece of love – home with you. A charming idea. Breakfast is very good, and we thoroughly enjoyed the Pergula restaurant. The Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant, however, did not impress us at all; during the large tasting menu, we did not enjoy a single dish – something that has never happened to us before. The swimming pool is located between the hotel walls and the surrounding buildings. It’s not particularly beautiful, but probably unavoidable. On the other hand, the hotel is located directly on Copacabana Beach, so you can simply head to the shore. If you’re in Rio de Janeiro, you should stay here – no question!

It is difficult to describe how sublimely wonderful this hotel is. Everything was perfect from check-in to check-out. Thank you to all the staff I had the pleasure of engaging with. You have left me with unforgettable memories.

It was a great weekend at the hotel. Staff is really nice and facilities are great. We only left the hotel for a walk at the beach, but had all the meals inside the hotel. I would strongly recommend you to stay.