Lonely Planet Review

The Copacabana Palace is Rio's most famous hotel. Its classical white facade dates back to the 1920s when it became a city icon. Inside, the trappings of luxury abound, from its spacious, antique-filled rooms to its opulent restaurants and lounges.

If you're going to shell out the money to stay in the Palace, you might as well opt for the best rooms you can. While the lower category rooms are decent, they aren't likely to dazzle. The standards still have classic touches - gilt-trimmed wall-mounted lamps, nicely framed prints and a tiny adjoining room attached to the bedroom - but in the 'better' rooms you'll find wood floors decorated with oriental carpets, antique bed frames and bureaus, and enormous bathrooms with tubs. The decor varies from room to room, but remains classic. The pool is the loveliest in Rio, and forms part of the elegant backdrop for the restaurant Pergula (don't miss dining al fresco here). For a statelier affair, visit Cipriani, where you'll find superb cuisine amid old-world opulence.