Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel

Before Copacabana was anything more than a stretch of golden sand with a few unassuming speakeasies, the Palace took up residence beside what is now the Avenida Atlantica – the sweeping avenue that connects Rio's most famous beaches. In the years that followed, the Palace transformed (and Copacabana with it), welcoming everyone from Fred and Ginger to Pavarotti to the Rolling Stones. Designed by French architect, Jospeh Gire, it's a white-washed vision of Art Deco elegance and looks every bit the grande dame it has become. Inside, there are decadent dining establishments, glamorous suites and decades of history – one visit just isn't enough.