inaugurated in 1923, the belmond copacabana palace hotel is rio de janeiro's most famous and classic hotel - built between 1919 and 1923, the copacabana palace was one of the first luxury hotels in rio de janeiro with rich art-deco architecture inspired by the french hotels le negresco and intercontinental carlton cannes, the palace is located along on the world-famous copacabana beach, overlooking the ocean.

officially declared by the instituto do patrimônio histórico e artístico nacional (iphan), part of rio's cultural patrimony in 2008, this hotel is unmistakable in presence and style - creamy white and brightly lit after sunset, it is visible from anywhere along copacabana beach.