Rio de Janeiro offers a particularly rich reading of hotel luxury.
The city does not present a single model, but a diversity of approaches that I observed while staying and visiting several iconic properties.
This variety helps understand how luxury can be expressed in different ways, while remaining deeply tied to the identity of the places.
Read also: Brazil: generous hospitality as a lever for transforming luxury tourism
The city does not present a single model, but a diversity of approaches that I observed while staying and visiting several iconic properties.
This variety helps understand how luxury can be expressed in different ways, while remaining deeply tied to the identity of the places.
Read also: Brazil: generous hospitality as a lever for transforming luxury tourism
The Copacabana Palace
The Copacabana Palace, operated by Belmond, remains an indispensable reference.Upon discovering this hotel, the sensation is immediate: that of entering a place steeped in history, where timeless elegance structures the experience.
I was struck by this ability to preserve the codes of the grand hotel while staying vibrant and waking up in the morning facing Copacabana Square, the site of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The place continues to attract an international clientele in search of landmarks, with that almost cinematic dimension unique to Copacabana.
The Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
The Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana offers a more contemporary and open approach.
Its location between Copacabana and Ipanema gives it a particular energy.
I particularly appreciated direct beach access and the possibility to participate in water activities, which extend the experience beyond the hotel.
The atmosphere there is also more festive, especially in the late afternoon, with a real emphasis on bars, cocktails and spirits. All in all, this creates a complete, fluid and enjoyable experience.
Its location between Copacabana and Ipanema gives it a particular energy.
I particularly appreciated direct beach access and the possibility to participate in water activities, which extend the experience beyond the hotel.
The atmosphere there is also more festive, especially in the late afternoon, with a real emphasis on bars, cocktails and spirits. All in all, this creates a complete, fluid and enjoyable experience.
The Janeiro Hotel, in Leblon
The Janeiro Hotel, in Leblon, is among the places that left the deepest mark on me.
Founded by entrepreneur Oskar Metsavaht, also the creator of the Osklen brand, the hotel carries a very personal vision of luxury.
Each element is conceived within aesthetic and cultural logic: artworks, furniture, down to the staff uniforms contribute to a coherent narrative.
I was particularly moved by this artistic dimension, but also by the direct connection with the neighborhood.
Leblon embodies a certain Carioca culture, more local, more subtle, and the hotel sits there with accuracy. The experience is intimate, fluid, deeply rooted in this Carioca lifestyle.
Founded by entrepreneur Oskar Metsavaht, also the creator of the Osklen brand, the hotel carries a very personal vision of luxury.
Each element is conceived within aesthetic and cultural logic: artworks, furniture, down to the staff uniforms contribute to a coherent narrative.
I was particularly moved by this artistic dimension, but also by the direct connection with the neighborhood.
Leblon embodies a certain Carioca culture, more local, more subtle, and the hotel sits there with accuracy. The experience is intimate, fluid, deeply rooted in this Carioca lifestyle.
Four experiences, one city
To follow: Blumar, leading DMC in Brazil: generous hospitality as the signature of expertise serving the experience
Laurent Delporte
Laurent Delporte is the president and founder of DELPORTE Hospitality.
After 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality, notably within the Accor group, he combines visionary thinking, an international hospitality culture, managerial and operational skills and a network of independent experts to support decision-makers in hospitality to better serve their clients, teams and partners.
As both a recognized consultant in the hotel industry, an executive coach to leaders, and a speaker in the world of hospitality, he also runs the DH-Mag magazine dedicated to hotel trends and speaks at leading schools and fairs (HEC, Sup de Luxe, EquipHotel, Maison & Objets…).
Moreover, Laurent Delporte ranked 8th in the international ranking of hotel influencers in 2024 by the American magazine Global Hospitality and the International Hospitality Institute (IHI) based in the United States. He was also selected on the list of 25 luxury sector speakers worldwide.
After 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality, notably within the Accor group, he combines visionary thinking, an international hospitality culture, managerial and operational skills and a network of independent experts to support decision-makers in hospitality to better serve their clients, teams and partners.
As both a recognized consultant in the hotel industry, an executive coach to leaders, and a speaker in the world of hospitality, he also runs the DH-Mag magazine dedicated to hotel trends and speaks at leading schools and fairs (HEC, Sup de Luxe, EquipHotel, Maison & Objets…).
Moreover, Laurent Delporte ranked 8th in the international ranking of hotel influencers in 2024 by the American magazine Global Hospitality and the International Hospitality Institute (IHI) based in the United States. He was also selected on the list of 25 luxury sector speakers worldwide.
