Hotel Arpoador

Few hotels in Rio have a better location than this beachside tower. It sits right on the sand in Ipanema, affording sweeping views of the entire beach from both the upper floor rooms and the breakfast area.

The once modest rooms and public areas have had a full upgrade, with a loose nautical theme.

The once dark rooms are now bright – decked out in whites, navy blues, warm woods and wicker, offset by large mirrors and frosted glass bathroom partitions with faux porthole clear patch-windows.