Leme, Copacabana

Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana

★★★★★

The Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana occupies one of the tallest towers on Avenida Atlantica, at number 1020, at the eastern end of Copacabana beach where it becomes Leme. The building operated for many years as a Le Meridien before becoming a Hilton, and it is one of the largest hotels in the neighbourhood. Its great advantage is the view. Because the tower is tall and sits at the end of the curve of the bay, a large share of its rooms look straight out over the four kilometres of Copacabana beach, and Hilton describes it as having the most ocean-view rooms in Copacabana. At the top, the hotel has two pools, one of them with a 360-degree view that takes in the beach, Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, which makes it one of the best pool decks in the city for sunset. The hotel's restaurant, Clarice, serves breakfast and Brazilian and international dishes, and room service is available around the clock. There is a spa and a fitness centre, beach access across the avenue with towels and service, and meeting spaces popular with business travellers. Parking is by paid valet, as at most Copacabana hotels, and check-in is from mid-afternoon. The location at the Leme end of the beach is a real strength. Leme is the calmest, most residential stretch of Copacabana, with a quieter beach and an old-fashioned seafront of kiosks and restaurants, and the Morro do Leme at the end of the sand offers a short trail to the old Duque de Caxias fort with a superb view along the beach. Sugarloaf and Urca are a few minutes away by car, the Cardeal Arcoverde metro station connects with the centre and Ipanema, and the whole length of Copacabana's promenade is on the doorstep.

Choosing a room: book an ocean-view room; the difference between a city view and the sweep of Copacabana bay from a high floor is enormous. Higher floors are quieter. Consider the executive level if you want lounge access and breakfast in a calmer setting.

What the stay is like: dependable international comfort, a pool deck with one of the great views of Rio, and a beachfront location where the morning starts with a walk or run along the promenade. The hotel is large, so expect queues at busy times and a business-like atmosphere midweek. New Year and Carnival bring premium prices and minimum stays.

Who it suits: first-time visitors who want a beachfront tower with views and predictable standards, Hilton loyalty members, families who appreciate space and a pool, and business travellers. Travellers seeking boutique character may prefer a smaller hotel, but few hotels match its views at the price.