A love letter to Brazil’s hospitality: Copacabana Palace and Rosewood São Paulo among the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025
Source: Belmond
At the 2025 edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards, unveiled in London on 30 October, Brazil stood proudly on the global stage of hospitality. Two remarkable Brazilian icons, Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, in Rio de Janeiro, and Rosewood São Paulo, secured their place among the world’s finest, celebrating the nation’s growing influence in luxury travel, architecture, and design. As a Brazilian, I could not be prouder to see my country’s artistry and warmth recognised at this global level.
Hosted at London’s Old Billingsgate, the third edition of the award ceremony gathered leaders in travel, design, and culture to honour hotels that redefine excellence across 22 destinations and six continents. This year’s ranking celebrated innovation, storytelling, and the power of place.
Copacabana Palace: Timeless Glamour and the Spirit of Rio
Ranked No.11 in the world, Best Hotel in South America, and winner of the Lavazza Highest New Entry Award, Copacabana Palace reaffirmed its legendary status as a global hospitality icon. Since opening in 1923, the hotel has embodied Rio’s exuberant rhythm, rising majestically above the city’s most famous beach, being watched over by Christ the Redeemer. Its white façade, reflected in the golden sands of Copacabana, remains a symbol of Brazil’s elegance and joie de vivre. Copa tells the story of a century of elegance and joym from its European-inspired beginnings to its distinctly Brazilian soul.
Source: Belmond
Inside, the Copa is as dazzling as ever. Its grand suites blend historic sophistication with modern comfort, while the iconic pool terrace continues to be Rio’s most glamorous social hub. Guests gather under the sun to sip caipirinhas or coconut water, soak in the laid-back Carioca energy, and dine at the celebrated Ristorante Hotel Cipriani, where chef Nello Cassese brings fine Italian flair to the tropics. This award recognises more than a century of excellence, passion, and cultural authenticity that defines Brazilian hospitality.
Source: Belmond
Rosewood São Paulo: A Vision of Contemporary Brazilian Luxury
At No.24, Rosewood São Paulo stands as a masterpiece of urban regeneration and creative collaboration. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel with interiors by Philippe Starck, it anchors the restored Cidade Matarazzo complex in the heart of São Paulo.
Source: Rosewood
Blending restored heritage buildings with bold contemporary architecture, the hotel is home to more than 450 artworks by Brazilian artists, turning every corner into an expression of the country’s vibrant creativity. From its lush vertical gardens to its sustainability-led design, Rosewood São Paulo captures a new vision of modern luxury: elegant, emotional, and deeply connected to its cultural roots.
Source: Rosewood
A Global Stage for Brazilian Excellence
These two celebrated properties reflect Brazil’s remarkable ability to combine sophistication with soul, innovation with warmth, and design with deep cultural resonance. From the timeless glamour of Rio to the creative pulse of São Paulo, they showcase a nation that continues to inspire the world with its artistry, hospitality, and spirit.
Source: Rosewood
As The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 celebrates creativity and excellence across continents, Brazil’s dual recognition is a proud reminder that true luxury can also be joyful, human, and deeply Brazilian.
The full list is available on the 50 Best Hotels website: https://www.theworlds50best.com/hotels/list/1-50
