Best Urban Hotels in Brazil

A glass-walled infinity pool overlooking Sugar Loaf Mountain and the ocean is the epitome of contemporary elegance at Hotel Fasano Rio De Janeiro. The French designer Philippe Starck had a hand in creating this 91 bedroom property with a spa, resulting in a modernist industrial chic finish sporting hints of retro. Dine on imaginative seafood dishes at Fasano Al Mare and spend the later part of the evening listening to live bands and DJs, while sipping on exotic cocktails at Barreto Londra. This Ipanema facing hotel is favoured by the likes of Madonna, Beyonce, the Beckhams, Lady Gaga and One Direction.

With 124 rooms and suites, Suryaa Hotel Pinhais offers a contemporary haven just outside Curitiba, in the green and tranquil municipality of Pinhais. Part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, the hotel blends modern design with natural surroundings, creating a setting that appeals to both leisure travellers and business guests. Interiors are

Enjoy creative gastronomy at the hotel’s signature restaurant, where Brazilian ingredients are reinterpreted through an international lens, while the lobby bar provides a relaxed space for cocktails and lighter dishes. Wellness plays an important role here, with a spa offering therapies and relaxation areas, a well-equipped fitness centre, and a heated indoor pool. Club-level rooms provide access to an exclusive lounge with private services, while suites include thoughtful details and city or garden views. The property also welcomes families with dedicated amenities and makes exploring the Curitiba region easy through chauffeur transfers.

The luxurious Hotel Rosewood São Paulo is housed in a historical landmark building and a verdant vertical garden building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Architect Jean Nouvel. The hotel is located centrally in Cidade Matarazzo and sits amongst stunning preserved early 20th century buildings and pristine gardens. There is a selection of inviting guestrooms and spacious suites on offer, including the lavish, residential-style Deluxe Suite. Guests are invited to choose from any, or all, of the hotel’s six dining options and bars including the 24-hour Le Jardin and South American-inspired Taraz Restaurant as well as the Rabo di Galo jazz bar with live music. The hotel boasts two outdoor pools and allows guests to completely unwind in the hotel’s signature wellbeing concept, Asaya. There is also a fully equipped fitness centre. There is a collection of eight sophisticated event spaces to host functions and professional events.

This hip design hotel rises upward on the city horizon and while the interiors may be minimalist, they reflect the area’s tropicality. Guests can take a dip in hot tubs secreted in a pretty Japanese garden, admire the suspended orchid garden, recline in barside spaghetti-like rope chairs and nibble on caviar in the sophisticated restaurant. The Japanese theme extends to the calming bedrooms; notably, the toilets which are equipped with high tech jets, dryers and heated seats, as well as contemporary Japanese style wall screens. Expect excellent service throughout the Emiliano and in its spa.

Another example of modernist architecture, Hotel Emiliano is the work of native designer Arthur Casas. The decor pays homage to Rio’s mid-century heyday, with neutral tones and a minimal approach. A restaurant, Emilie, serves forward-thinking Brazilian-French fusion cuisine and features a huge tropical living wall. On the rooftop, a long, narrow infinity pool overlooks Copacabana Beach. Treatments at the Santapele Spa are all about rebalancing the body and are based on the three pillars of relaxation, revitalisation and detoxification. Crisp white linens and tan leather armchairs are found in the bedrooms, along with Santapele toiletries (Emiliano’s own brand).

A shining example of Rio’s glamour, this neo-classical Grande Dame has been in business since the roaring twenties. It faces out onto the beach, where guests can receive a waiter drinks service. On the third floor, there’s a rooftop tennis court and a large glitzy pool area. The food and drink offer comprises the terrace Pérgula restaurant, Italian eatery Cipriani and Mee, a Michelin starred establishment under the direction of Ken Hom. Guests who’ve stayed at this landmark hotel include Prince Charles, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Cameron Diaz, Tom Cruise, Paul McCartney, and Lenny Kravitz. Black and white prints of past patrons adorn the walls, while chandeliers, wood panelling and marble add to the palatial feel.

This five-star establishment is most unusual for São Paulo, in that it’s surrounded by greenery, namely the Burle Marx Park. This provides a real sense of retreat from the city’s unrelenting bustle, augmented by its Flora Spa. Palacio Tangara opened in 2017, gathering accolades from Conde Nast, Forbes Travel Guide and the Michelin Guide over the past few years. Multi-awarded Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten opened his first South American restaurant here, serving a blend of French and Asian gastronomy with pops of Brazilian flavour. An alfresco terrace overlooks the outdoor pool and park, while the Burle Bar provides an indoor zone for elegant drinking.

So named because of its striking exterior, this hotel is unlike any other in the city, or quite possibly, the world. Like Fasano, Unique is found in Jardins; a glass-walled, cactus-lined, long, thin rooftop pool giving an outlook over the district. This part of the hotel is the place to be at the weekends, with a legendary party vibe. Inside you’ll find architecture as surprising as the outside — a curved library, massive porthole windows and bold art installations. Don’t miss the brightly hued indoor pool; it has a slide, and, like the outdoor pool, underwater music. Unique has 94 bedrooms and suites, plus two restaurants and welcomes four-legged friends.

W São Paulo is the first W Hotel in Brazil and takes residence in a skyscraper atop Rua Funchal in São Paulo’s buzzing southern business district and boasts breathtaking views of the Pinheiros River and the city skyline. W São Paulo features striking, cutting-edge architecture, modern design and comprises 179 stylishly designed hotel rooms (including 16 suites) starting on the 25th floor. The brand’s signature AWAY Spa, FIT gym, WET Deck complete with an outdoor pool, along with two restaurants, three bars are all available for guests to use. And for those planning an event there are five spaces including the expansive Great Room, covering 400m². A favourite feature is the ornate walkway that bridges Rua Funchal to Rua Helena, meaning guests can easily access all that the bustling city has to offer. W São Paulo is the perfect choice for a vibrant city break.

The JW Marriott Hotel São Paulo offers luxurious accommodation and spectacular vistas over the city skyline and the Estaiada Bridge. There are 258 guestrooms and suites, which offer access to the exclusive Executive Lounge, with the Presidential Suite with Skyline View being the hotel’s top offering. The all-day Restaurante Neto serves a delightful fusion of Italian and Brazilian cuisine while the Caju Cocktail Bar offers more than just creative cocktails, there is a live music performance every night. The hotel provides guests the opportunity to escape in the indoor swimming pool. The Spa by JW also invites guests to unwind with a treatment or make the most of the wellness facilities. The fully equipped fitness centre has floor-to-ceiling windows which provide truly exceptional views over Sāo Paulo. This hotel is pet friendly.

In the city’s business district, you’ll find the luxurious Grand Hyatt São Paulo. The hotel is conveniently located close to some of the city’s main attractions and is ideal for all types of travellers, be it for business or for pleasure. The hotel boasts a stunning array of light and modern guestrooms and suites featuring the spacious Presidential Suite with a balcony and a marble jetted tub overlooking the city. There is an exclusive 20th-floor Grand Club Lounge offering spectacular views to guests in the club and suite accommodations. Guests should be sure not to miss the on-site C Restaurant where Brazilian, Italian and Portuguese flavours combine and create a truly unique dining experience. This hotel offers a heated indoor and outdoor swimming pool with seasonal bar service. Amanary Spa offers relaxing and rejuvenating treatments and wellness facilities. There is also a fully equipped fitness centre with the option of a personal trainer and a sauna for rest or recovery.

Located in the Paulista Avenue region, Qoya Hotel São Paulo, Curio Collection by Hilton offers the ideal getaway complete with some of the city’s main attractions nearby and in a luxurious and contemporary setting. Within half of a kilometre, you can reach the Patio Paulista Mall, Casa das Rosas Museum and Centro Itaú Cultural. There is a selection of lavish and modern accommodations including guestrooms and suites featuring the one-bedroom King Presidential Suite. Guests are invited to savour the local and international flavours on offer at the on-site Badebec Restaurant. The hotel boasts a stunning outdoor rooftop swimming pool next to the spa facilities. There is also a fitness centre for guests to make use of and communal living spaces to make you feel at home away from home. This hotel is pet friendly.