Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro

Designed by architect Miguel Pinto Guimarães, the Gero Rio restaurant is bold and modern and serves up Italian fare to match - and always opt to dine on the balcony! Fasano Caffe offers a fantastic breakfast, both buffet and a la carte, including every guest's favourite, a brioche French toast with almonds. On the roof, the pool in the place to go for a cocktail at sunset and to admire the sensational beach and mountain views. During the day, the spa has a vast menu of treatments for you to indulge in.

The Hotel Fasano has 89 rooms, each with a private balcony and some with an ocean view (which come highly recommended!). King-size beds are draped with 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and strategically positioned to maximise the vistas beyond, while elegant Sergio Rodrigues chairs are dotted around the room. The all-marble bathrooms have large tubs and high-pressure showers and eccentric 'drooping' mirrors. The largest of all is the Deluxe Oceanfront Suite, which boasts a loft-style living room and private bar.

There really is no shortage of things to do in Rio, from sunbathing on Ipanema Beach (just across the road) to riding the train up Corcovado Mountain to Christ the Redeemer. The Bossa Nova walking tour is also a must, as is taking the banana-yellow tram to Santa Teresa, a bohemian neighbourhood crammed with artisan studios. On the beach, the hotel also offers complimentary surf gear so you can learn to hang ten if the mood takes you, or opt for a SUPing or canoeing session.