For a high-flying stay in Rio de Janeiro, your answer is really the one and only Copacabana Palace, front and centre on Brazil’s famous stretch of sandy beach. Oceanfront or poolside loungers see sun-kissed travellers and fans of the Belmond brand flop down with coconuts and bright swimsuits all day long. It’s no surprise that service sparkles as bright as the glitzy chandeliers, which, when paired with oriental carpets and pink marble in the lobby, make for the perfect inspiration for a film Fred Astaire to tap his toes. The rooms are just as glamorous, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies peeking out over Sugarload and the bronzed bodies playing padel on the beach. With Cipriani claiming a spot by the pool, the hotel knows exactly how to serve an international set who know how to have a good time.