A trip to Brazil can sound like the most complicated thing ever. After all, we’re talking about a country with another language, a different currency, and plenty of unknown cities to explore. And what better way to start than taking a look at the most famous hotels in Brazil?
Lucky for you, the most famous hotels in Brazil are also the best hotels so you will have a great HQ for your adventure.
Also, if you would like to learn more about Brazil, later read our complete Brazil Guide for travel. Now, letโs get back into it.
You are coming to the biggest country in South America so we have to think of what matters to you! What makes a hotel one of the best hotels for you? Do you need a tennis court on the property? Or is having a fitness center a priority? Maybe you want a Michelin star restaurant on the property. Let me help you find the perfect spot!
With this article, we will go through the most famous hotels in Brazil together. I’ll tell you all about important details like rooms, all of them with a private bathroom and flat-screen TVs, restaurants, plus amenities like a hot tub.
Many of Brazilโs most famous hotels are embracing retro glamour, restoring vintage architecture and blending it with modern luxury. This trend is attracting travelers who seek style, nostalgia, and top-notch service all in one stay.
So let go of the idea Brazil is just Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, and come along to the best places South America has to offer.
Famous Hotels in Brazil: Tivoli Mofarrej (Sรฃo Paulo)
We’re going to start off with a perfect place that belongs to a brand of our best luxury hotels in Brazil. Tivoli Mofarrej is their Sรฃo Paulo unity, located in the Jardins neighborhood, is an oasis amidst the concrete jungle of a major city.
I highly recommend you stay here if your goal is to do as much as you can during your time here since the hotel is merely a block away from Avenida Paulista. From there, you can count on the subway system to take you everywhere!
Although you may not have an extended structure including things like a tennis court, you still get things like a great outdoor pool surrounded by greenery! Besides that, you still get spacious rooms for when you’re feeling like a break from the city.
Anantara Spa is ready to welcome you for whichever treatments you’d like along with Seen Restaurant & Bar, which gives you a unique view of Sao Paulo’s skyline.
Hotel Unique (Sรฃo Paulo)
Still far away from golden sands and palm trees, the 4-star Hotel Unique was designed by Ruy Ohtake to stand out amongst standard-looking buildings in Sao Paulo.
The whole visual is put together with landscaping done by Gilberto Elkis, tied up perfectly with innovative food made by chef Emmanuel Bassoleil. Because of its urban location, much like the Tivoli, you will need to give up on having stuff hotels with more land.
But the Unique will still give you a unique fitness center with an indoor pool open for all guests. You can also count on great panoramic views from the rooftop, the free wifi perfect for uploading snaps to your social media.
A little tip for your Sao Paulo itinerary is taking a short walk to one of Latin America’s biggest urban green parks. On occasion, you might even be able to spot a famous face or two.
Famous Hotels in Brazil
Secreto Boutique Hotel (Campos do Jordรฃo)
Secreto, the word in Portuguese for secret, is a luxurious boutique hotel in the countryside of Sao Paulo. The idea of this place is to offer you as much privacy as possible, perfect for a romantic getaway, while also making sure you have many experiences to enjoy.
You may not be necessarily planning a romantic getaway but if you’re a wine lover, make sure to get a reservation for Adega Secreto. This place has one of the world’s best wine letters paired with excellent food.
I’d say this is one of the best places for foodies or those like me, who desperately need to take a break from regular life for a bit. Just be advised that your nearest airport will be Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), which is about two hours and fifteen minutes away by car.
So my tip as your friend is to arrange for a private transfer to Secreto, no one wants to drive this much after an international flight. It sure is money well spent! If you do want to drive they offer parking, I’m just not sure it is free private parking.
Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro)
Going towards a more tropical aspect of city vacations, we reach one of the best places for people who want a beach vacation but don’t want to give up on the convenience of being close to a major city.
A huge perk being the city is Rio de Janeiro and you will be in one of the most famous hotels in Brazil, the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro. It is not too far from the famous Copacabana beach!
Although it’s not all-inclusive, this beachside resort has it all. Spa with a hot tub? You have the Atiaia Spa Ready to welcome you. Want to play some beach tennis? There is a tennis court available for that. Plus, there is a whole city for you to explore.
Rio de Janeiro offers as much by day as it does by night, so you will always have an adventure awaiting.
Famous Hotels in Brazil
JANEIRO Hotel (Rio de Janeiro)
Continuing on our journey looking for the most famous hotels in Brazil, we arrive at the gorgeous and cosmopolitan Leblon. Located in Rio de Janeiro’s south zone, JANEIRO Hotel is a different take on luxury accommodations.
Your experience will start with the private transfer from the airports in Rio de Janeiro to gorgeous rooms made to reflect the wonderful city around you.
Unlike the Grand Hyatt, this is a more urban hotel so you will miss out on stuff like having a tennis court but you’ll still get access to the spa’s hot tub and complete fitness centre. Sure, this isn’t the only hotel in the area but you will hardly find a better place.
If you are less than fifteen minutes away from a subway stop, I recommend you take it all the way to Central Station for some deep immersion in Carioca Culture at Saara.
Santa Teresa Hotel RJ Mgallery (Rio de Janeiro)
If you still want to have the experience of a 4-star hotel without the hassle of a huge hotel with too many guests, the Santa Teresa Hotel RJ Mgallery is a perfect alternative for your adventure in Rio de Janeiro.
This luxurious boutique hotel takes inspiration from colonial-era coffee farms for decoration, and each room has air conditioning ready to face carioca heat. It wouldn’t be one of the best hotels in Rio without an outdoor pool on the terrace, where you will also get amazing views.
This place became one of the most famous hotels in Brazil because international travelers love its location in the heart of the Santa Teresa neighborhood. Your hotel can have it all down to a hot tub or tennis court, what matters most still is the city around you.
Starting at your hotel’s doorstep, you’ll be able to take a bus or Uber to Gloria Subway Station which makes it easy to reach every place on your itinerary.
Famous Hotels in Brazil
Belmond Copacabana Palace (Rio de Janeiro)
There is no way to talk about the best and most famous hotels in South America without mentioning the Copacabana Palace. This is arguably the most iconic hotel in South America, nestled amongst an iconic skyline including the Sugarloaf Mountain.
And right across the avenue, you will find palm trees, golden sand, and great waves waiting for you to arrive. Plus, it is Rio! There is a lot more for you to do besides going to the beach.
Because there is so much to be done in Rio, your best friend will always be planning. While the palace has it all for your comfort, it isn’t the most well-located. Copacabana is well into the South part of town, a little ways from downtown and some more recognizable sights.
Yes, you can take the subway closer to some places, maybe pair it with Uber for a more economical way of getting around. By saving some money on transportation, you can splurge on a nice restaurant or a night out.
Hotel Emiliano (Sรฃo Paulo & Rio)
When traveling internationally, we want to be sure we’re going to make reservations at a trustworthy place. It hardly gets better than getting a room at an established franchise.
With a place like Emiliano, you won’t have to worry about it. Both hotels will have English-speaking employees ready to take care of you, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center to still take care of your body while on vacation.
For frequent travelers, the Emiliano name can be a little familiar. This kind of multiple star hotels, nestled in big cities but in case you’d like a more complete structure, complete with stuff like a tennis court or golf course, my advice would be to get out of town.
But my best advice? Open your eyes to what my favorite cities in South America can offer, you’d be surprised at what’s around.
Famous Hotels in Brazil
Belmond Hotel das Cataratas (Foz do Iguaรงu)
You already know that Belmond hotels are iconic and their branch at Foz do Iguaรงu continues this lovely tradition. Unlike its Carioca brother, the Belmond Hotel has an iconic pink exterior to stand out amongst nature.
For travelers taking a hike down south for a sight of our amazing Iguazu Falls, there will be no better place to stay than a hotel literally inside the national park containing the Brazilian part of them.
Other than the best location ever, this hotel features a heated outdoor pool, the Cataratas Spa, and even a tennis court available for guests. But my favorite experience? Take advantage of their trained guides for an unforgettable tour of the tropical forest around.
In case that’s not your thing, this isn’t one of our best hotels because of nothing. There is an exclusive lookout point atop the hotel’s tower and a brand new restaurant to have some authentic Brazilian food.
Juma Amazon Lodge (Autazes)
When it comes to tourism in the largest country in South America, goes far beyond palm trees and golden sands. A huge part of Brazil’s northern region is covered by a lush rainforest known as the Amazonian Rainforest and exploring it needs to be on your bucket list. But as amazing as it can be, you will need the safety of trustworthy service providers.
Besides being one of the most famous hotels in Brazil, Juma Amazon Lodge will be your headquarters for an unforgettable experience in the Amazon Rainforest. My favorite part about staying here has to be how the front desk will make every arrangement you need, from private airport transfers to setting up your very own Brazilian Amazon itinerary.
Traveling to Brazil can be an adventure in itself. So no matter where you are coming to, always book your plane tickets through airline websites or trusted travel agencies only to avoid scams.
The same goes for any tours and other extra activities, try to get recommendations from your hotel’s concierge on who can be trusted in the area you’re visiting. You can use your email address to keep everything organized!
But what is the point of all that if you have no idea where to go? Here are my favorite ways of deciding on a final destination! First, think about which kind of trip you’re planning.
Is it a family vacation? A romantic getaway? Or maybe it is your way to finally get everyone together after such a long time apart, some places will have special offers depending on your group.
Seasons in Brazil are the opposite of what you may be used to in North America, meaning summer is winter and vice-versa. So your second step is checking the weather! If it is summer, you will need air-conditioned rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. For winter, you want room upgrades to include an extra blanket depending on where you’re going.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to do some research! If any of these hotels captured your attention, look into the area around it! You need to get a feel for where you’re going so your next adventure can begin!
