If Ipanema were a cocktail, it would be shaken with glamour, stirred with nostalgia, and garnished with sea spray. And nowhere captures that intoxicating essence better than Hotel Fasano Rio—the stylishly seductive beachfront hideaway that continues to set the gold standard for luxury in the Marvelous City that gave us Bossa Nova, the string bikini, and Cristo Redentor, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

This 89-room boutique hotel holds a special distinction—it’s the first building in Brazil conceived entirely by legendary French designer Philippe Starck. Apparently Starck himself chose wood, glass, and marble as core materials, aiming to marry the city’s natural beauty to timeless luxury, and his vision is palpable from the moment you step inside. Mid-century Brazilian elegance meets sleek minimalism, with sculptural mirrors, slatted wood accents, and buttery leather furniture that whisper luxury without ever raising their voice.

But let’s talk about that view. The oceanfront suite is pure poetry: floor-to-ceiling glass framing Ipanema Beach like a postcard that moves. Inside, everything is spacious, serene, and seductive, complete with a discreet butler who appears just when you’re thinking about ordering room service—or another caipirinha.

Downstairs, Fasano Caffè welcomes the morning crowd with an intimate calm. Opt for a table on the al fresco patio, where birdsong replaces background music and the ocean glimmers just beyond the palms. Executive Chef Luigi Moressa curates a breakfast that spans continents: buttery French toast, tropical fruits, savory frittatas—and a cappuccino that rivals any in Milan.

But the real culinary seduction begins at Gero Rio, the hotel’s flagship restaurant. Start light with the green salad with goat cheese and pear—a harmonious trio that preps your palate for decadence ahead. Then comes the beef carpaccio with mustard sauce—sliced whisper-thin, the beef melts on the tongue while the mustard offers a polite but firm kick. The trenette with Brazilian lobster and lemon sauce is the showstopper: silky ribbons of pasta tangled around generous chunks of succulent lobster, all swirled in a citrusy dream. Pair it with the lychee martini, a cocktail that’s perfectly poised—fruity, fragrant, and never too sweet. Or why not indulge in the Fasano’s proprietary prosecco?

Upstairs, the rooftop infinity pool is where the magic happens. With sweeping views of Arpoador, Dois Irmãos, and Christ the Redeemer, it may just be Rio’s most cinematic perch to tan, sip, and sigh deeply. The perfectly toasted club sandwich served poolside is, no exaggeration, one of the best we’ve ever tasted—layered, crisp, indulgent, and absolutely worthy of cult status. One bite brought back fond memories of the version at the now dearly departed Marina Palace in Leblon.

When it’s time to unwind deeper than the pool, the Fasano Spa delivers on every sensory level. Book a deep tissue massage to release your travel-weary knots, or opt for an Ayurvedic treatment that leaves you light-limbed and glowing. With a steam room, sauna, and a curated selection of facials and body rituals, the spa completes Fasano’s promise: to restore you fully, body and soul.

Yes, Fasano is a hotel. But it’s also a portal—to another time, another tempo, where elegance is instinctive, and every moment feels cinematic with a smooth Bossa Nova soundtrack. Whether you’re floating in the rooftop pool, lingering over lunch, or watching the sun fall into the sea from your balcony, one thing is certain: you’ll wish time moved just a little slower here.

— G. Dhalla

Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro Av. Vieira Souto, 80 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22420-002, Brazil. For more information please visit https://fasano.com.br/en/