Picolo recommends · Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel
A white palace across the road from Copacabana beach, where the pool in the garden has seen a century of famous guests come and go.
Step out of the lobby and the sand of Copacabana is just over the avenue. Behind the white facade, the pool in the garden is where Rio has been coming to see and be seen since the hotel opened in the 1920s.
Few hotels in South America carry this much history. Actors, musicians and presidents have all stayed here, and the service still runs on old-school attention to detail rather than trends.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel
We picked it for a first trip to Rio. You get the city’s most famous address, staff who know what they are doing and the beach right outside, which makes it easy to settle in quickly.
It is one of the most expensive stays in the city, and the streets around it are loud and crowded day and night. If you want calm, look further along the coast or up the hills.
What you get
- Copacabana beach across the road
- Pool in the garden
- Several restaurants in house
- Classic, attentive service
- Historic hotel from the 1920s
A day at Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel
- Morning
- An early swim in the sea before the beach fills up.
- Midday
- Lunch by the garden pool in the shade.
- Afternoon
- A walk along the promenade with its wave-patterned pavement.
- Evening
- Dinner in one of the hotel restaurants, booked well ahead.
Location
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Open in MapsQuestions about Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel
Is Copacabana Palace right on the beach?
Yes. Only the beachfront avenue separates the hotel from Copacabana beach, so you can walk to the sand in a minute or two.
Can non-guests eat at Copacabana Palace?
Yes, the restaurants are open to outside guests. Reserve a table in advance, as they are popular with locals and visitors alike.
Is Copacabana Palace worth the price?
For history, service and location, many think so. If you mainly want a bed near the beach, cheaper hotels on Copacabana will do the job.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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