Top 3 best hotels with best view in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Santa Teresa Hotel RJ - MGallery was found by my sister, and we immediately realized that it could become our favorite. This five-star hotel has a very convenient location in the historical and cultural center of the city. At this class of hotel, there are corresponding entertainments, such as art exhibitions, featuring works by many contemporary designers. We can not only sunbathe on this vacation but also learn a lot of new things! In the evenings, the staff organizes a whole program with live music - this adds to the secluded and romantic atmosphere. I also appreciated the availability of transfers to different points in the city - essentially, it's like a taxi, but this option will be completely trustworthy.

About the view, I initially had nothing to add; everyone talks about the panoramic photos from the room, but I will still express our opinion with my sister. And it is pure delight! The huge open balcony allows you to see the hills of Rio, its nature, and at the same time, combined with different houses - some of them are hotels, while others are residences of locals. The view of the city among the jungles opens up in all directions, and I believe it will be pleasing in any weather. My sister also fell in love with this landscape of the city in the trees and says that this option is definitely worth our attention.

Just the room from which the best view opens up - it’s a deluxe (I’m shocked that it’s not even a luxury or presidential suite). But it should be clarified that we need a view of the city - there is one just like it, but its windows overlook the garden, and for us, that’s already a bit dull. Although the room area is small, only 30 meters, I think it will be perfect for two girls like us.

I didn’t find photos of the wardrobe, but there are definitely various nightstands and a desk here. In the bathroom, there are shower amenities and a hairdryer - I’m so glad I won’t have to bring these with me. By the way, for convenience, there are chairs on the balcony where you can sit and admire that magical view.

The breakfast in this hotel complex is highly praised, so it's worth adding it for an additional fee per person. It is mainly served in the form of a buffet, but if we ask to have it brought to the room, we will need to choose from the menu. There are vegetarian options available, but they are very few. Among hot beverages, there is even hot chocolate available - I love drinking it instead of coffee! This same restaurant serves lunches and dinners with international dishes (you can also have brunch here, which is convenient in terms of time if we go somewhere outside the hotel).

We found another wonderful hotel 4 km from the landmark known as the Selarón Steps. The five-star Vila Santa Teresa has a very beautiful pool surrounded by a well-maintained garden, and there are even spots for personal picnics. Additionally, they love to conduct walking tours for guests here - I have already convinced my sister to go on one of them. But she prefers that there is a private spa where you can order a massage or join yoga classes. From all this, we conclude that a hotel with such contrasting services might be suitable for us!

In Rio, the terrain is very uneven and literally half of the city is located on hills. Because of this, it creates the impression that there is the same view everywhere. That’s why we added this hotel to our TOP – there is a suite with a garden view. This park area of the hotel is very large, with many trees and green lawns. As a bonus to such a view comes fresh air and a reduction in noise from the city. The garden can be seen from the windows of the room, where you can even touch the trees if you stretch out your hand. Additionally, the view can be enjoyed on the first floor, where there is a terrace and special gazebos – it is clear that the hotel cares for its territory.

It turns out that there are two types of rooms with a view of the inner courtyard and the garden - a suite and a super suite. The first one seemed small and not that interesting in design to me; it's better to choose the second option. Its main advantage is the glass door, which leads directly to the garden. Also, besides the bed, there is an armchair by the windows and a comfortable sofa closer to the exit. The bathroom has a large bright window, so even there we will get aesthetic pleasure. I also liked the workspace in the bedroom; it's convenient for doing makeup in the morning or placing belongings.

In the morning, the buffet breakfast with a selection, including gluten-free and vegetarian dishes, is served in the restaurant hall from 08:00 to 11:00 AM. I’m glad that you can come later — because I love to sleep in. The breakfast is more like a classic American one — eggs, omelets, cheese and meat assortments. In the same place, you can have lunch and dinner, but I didn’t see what cuisine they offer. If we come back from excursions or the beach, we can order grocery delivery to the room. For lazy or tired tourists — this is a find!

I want to say that Hotel Nacional Rio de Janeiro looks very presentable and modern. It reminded me more of Dubai than Rio de Janeiro. But that is why the hotel deserves five stars and offers a beachfront location, fitness, and spa clubs. The website states that their outdoor pool is heated – a very important detail for people who are always cold, like me. Additional services include broadcasts of sporting events and evenings with musicians. There is a wide choice of activities in the hotel, and you can take a transfer to the museums.

The view of the city here is completely different. And that is because the massive mountains are clearly visible, without residential buildings and hotels, as if we are going to relax somewhere in the wild. And when I say that this mountain is visible like nowhere else, it's true. Indeed, from the windows of the rooms (which are specifically designed to be floor-to-ceiling), one can closely examine the terrain and the forests that cover these high hills. And there are no cars or noise from people around – the view is certainly beautiful. There are also good views of the area and the beach from the gym and the pool, but the best part here is definitely the mountains.

Most rooms have a beautiful view, just in different corners of the hotel. But the best one, and my sister agrees with me – is the deluxe. Yes, there are rooms that are much bigger and more luxurious, but they just overlook the seaside, which is not that interesting. The deluxe has a well-appointed guest area. We will have towels, a hairdryer, and ironing facilities. There is even a mini-bar with drinks. I was a bit confused by the glass door in the shower, but there is a thick curtain hanging here.

Breakfast is served here early - from six and almost until eleven in the morning. There will be standard options such as pastries, pancakes, cereals, and eggs. For sweets, fresh fruits and jam for pancakes are available. Unfortunately, the hotel restaurant does not serve dinners, but lunches are offered from the continental cuisine. Nearby, literally outside the building, there are several restaurants, so neither of us will be left hungry. Moreover, they also offer room service here - with a view from the windows, watching the mountains will be even better.