Five star hotels in Rio aren't in large supply, but that doesn't mean that there aren't an ample number of luxury hotels to choose from. Most of the Rio de Janeiro luxury hotels are of the 4 star variety, and as you might imagine, the majority of them can be found near one of the city's most popular beaches. Adding to the options when it comes to luxury accommodations in Rio de Janeiro are a number of upscale vacation rentals, most of which are beach neighborhood condos and apartments.

When it comes to the five star hotels in Rio, discerning travelers will have a handful of possibilities to choose from. Since 1923, the Copacabana Palace Hotel (pictured) has been the king of the city's luxury hotels. You can find this landmark hotel right on Copacabana Beach, and a more elegant beach retreat you could hardly imagine. Royalty, politicians, and a host of celebrities have made the Copacabana Palace their Rio travel base over the years, and it's not hard to understand why the hotel's popularity hasn't waned. While all of the 226 guest units at the luxurious Copacabana Palace are desirable, the most exclusive are the poolside suites and the even more enticing penthouse suites. The private verandas with spectacular ocean views are reason enough to book a penthouse suite. When you're not relaxing in your room or suite at the Copacabana Palace, you can visit the onsite spa or take advantage of any other number of tantalizing facilities.

When searching for five star hotels in Rio, two others that you might keep in mind include the JW Marriott Rio de Janeiro and the Hotel Sofitel. The former is an award-winning luxury gem of a hotel that also can be found on Copacabana Beach. No fewer than 245 stylish rooms and suites await travelers at the JW Marriott Rio, and all of them feature marble bathrooms. The numerous amenities include premium bedding, a sleek flat-screen TV, a mini bar, and some cozy slippers and robes. As is true at other Rio de Janeiro luxury hotels, the JW Marriott offers sumptuous dining options, and room service can be taken advantage of when you get the urge to dine in.

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As for the Hotel Sofitel, it too can satisfy the wants and needs of anyone who is searching for five star hotels in Rio. This beautiful and elegant hotel is designed so that all 388 guest units have at least a view of the ocean, and once again, it calls famed Copacabana Beach home. Not only do all the rooms feature ocean views. They also boast private balconies, which is not the case at all of the Rio de Janeiro luxury hotels. Essentially a resort, the Hotel Sofitel offers numerous facilities for its guests to enjoy, and they include two excellent restaurants, two dazzling swimming pools, and a convenient tour desk for planning all kinds of fun adventures and attractions.

Not far down the beach in Ipanema, the Fasano Hotel attracts travelers who are looking for luxury accommodations in Rio de Janeiro with its spectacular rooftop pool, its small spa, its state-of-the-art fitness center, and its other wonderful facilities. The quality of the 91 rooms and suites is also a big selling point. Boutique style meets high-end comfort in the guest units, and if there's room enough in the budget, splurging on one of the more spacious suites is a great way to make a stay at this hotel even posher.

Luxury accommodations in Rio de Janeiro are easy to find in Copacabana and Ipanema. Should you wish to broaden your horizons, then you might also look in the neighborhoods of Barra da Tijuca and Sao Conrado. At Barra da Tijuca, the Sheraton Barra Hotel & Suites offers a considerable amount of luxury, while the Intercontinental Hotel Rio is among the prime lodging establishments at Sao Conrado.