This gorgeous illustrious property lives up to the hype. From the room-service breakfast on our suite’s balcony looking out over Copacabana Beach to supping cocktails made by our own private barman at the hotel’s rooftop black pool (a facility reserved for penthouse-level customers), to dining at its lauded pan-Asian Michelin-starred restaurant Mee, being guests-in-residence at the iconic hotel that is the Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, was simply marvellous.
The whole place oozes glamour, everything you’d expect from a Belmond, complete with signature joie de vivre. Our opulent and playful suite featured fine period furniture, plush soft furnishings and antique oriental rugs, beautiful artwork and a magnificent marble bathroom.
Throughout our stay at the Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, an attentive team was on hand to cater to our every diva whim. The whole place runs like a well-oiled machine and the staff comes with decades of experience in luxury, silver-service hospitality, including looking after Ginger Rogers and Madonna.
When we finally wanted to rub shoulders with the rest of our fellow travellers, we headed down to the ‘see and be seen’ main pool, where the international jet set sipped cocktails from coconuts or paraded around in their sunga swimwear. In the mood to feel the sand between our toes, we headed out to Copacabana Beach (we’re still humming Barry Manilow), where the hotel team had deckchairs and ice-cold beers at the ready, so we could lie back, relax and experience some of the wonderful Carioca beach-city vibe.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Sophisticate | SDU / GIG | GMT -3 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Take a walk along Copacabana, to Ipanema and Leblon and visit the LGBTQ beach at Farme de Amoedo. Every piece of sand along this long stretch of coast has a different vibe and is perfect for (pretty) people watching. |
Photography courtesy of Belmond
