A century of presidents, princesses and Carnival balls on the world's most famous beach — the Palace remains the address of South America.
By Biirdee Travel. Updated 2026-06-10.
The Copacabana Palace opened in 1923 as a bet that Rio could host European glamour, and won so completely that a century later it remains, without serious argument, South America's most famous hotel — now polished under Belmond's "slow luxury" investment program. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced here (Flying Down to Rio was *set* here), every visiting head of state sleeps here, and the Saturday feijoada by the semi-Olympic pool is a Rio institution in its own right.
The geometry matters: the main building's beach-facing rooms look straight down Copacabana's sweep, while the tower annex trades a touch of history for higher floors and quieter nights. Entry rooms run ~$500–900 most of the year — then Carnival and New Year's Eve rewrite the rules entirely, with multi-night minimums and the famous black-tie NYE gala overlooking two million people on the sand.
Entry rooms ~$500–900 most of the year; beach-view categories from ~$800. New Year's and Carnival carry multi-night minimums and 2–4× pricing — and still sell out months ahead.
It's the best-run address in Rio with serious security, directly on Copacabana beach. Standard Rio street-awareness applies outside; the hotel arranges cars and the beach service operates a guarded stretch of sand.
It's one of the world's great hotel nights — the black-tie gala overlooks Réveillon's two million white-clad celebrants and the fireworks barge. If it's on your list, commit by February for the following December.
Same rate as belmond.com with Bellini Club-grade benefits attached — and Réveillon/Carnival space held early for clients.
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