Hotel Emiliano Sao Paulo

Highlights & Reviews

• Location
• Anyone looking to hit all the classic Rio high notes will find plenty to fawn over here at the southern tip of Copacabana beach, overlooking its historic military fort. The full stretch of the famous sands sweeps out from below all the way to Sugarloaf Mountain, Arpoador’s cove-like beach is a 10-minute walk, and shopping and dining options abound, particularly the Galeria River arcade and the ever-lively ‘Baixo Copacabana’ nightlife hub that includes the sultry sounds of diminutive bar Bip Bip, a 15-minute walk up the seafront.

• Style
• In the spirit of the late, great Oscar Niemeyer’s voluptuous former HQ and the futuristic soon-to-open Museum of Image and Sound, Emiliano’s facade breaks up the bland concrete monstrosities of Avenida Atlântica with an intricate, organic series of panels that control the amount of sun streaming in of a morning. Woven fabrics adorn floors and walls along with wonderfully rough-hewn marble and the overall effect combines with lots of natural wood and the restaurant’s vast, living tropical wall to incredibly relaxing effect.

• Service
• The staff help to make a medium-sized hotel feel much cosier. Friendly, informed and eager to please, the on-call butler, room turn-downs and beach service all make for a refreshing change to Rio’s all-too frequent hospitality recalcitrance. Pop on personalised flip-flops and head to the magnificent rooftop pool that L-shapes in front of the sun-loungers to deliver a stunning tropical refuge, or hit the compact gym with its widescreen views over the Atlantic.

• Rooms
• Opt for the sea-view and be wowed by the panorama before you, the rumble of the road (mostly) drowned out by the crashing of waves. The bespoke beds, not to mention four different sizes and shape of pillow, make for an impeccable night’s sleep and morning coffee and evening caipirinhas on the balcony are musts, as is a long bath with views back through the bedroom to the ocean. Intuitive zonal lighting runs from the bedroom to the walk-in dressing area and split bathroom, and the toiletries are the Emiliano’s own gorgeous Santapele brand.