Pool, Hotel Fasano, RioWe’re going to see a lot of Rio over the coming weeks and if all that sparkling sea and white sand inspires you to hop on a plane and check out the Brazilian city for yourself after it’s all over, here’s where you’ll find gold.

Hotel Fasano

If you can’t get enough of The Girl from Ipanema, then Hotel Fasano is the place for you: this elegant Philippe Starck-designed hotel is an homage to Brazilian bossa nova. Don’t like jazz? Hotel Fasano’s superb location overlooking Ipanema beach is another of its attractions; as is the residents-only infinity pool (above), considered so cool that locals have been known to check into the hotel just so they can be seen lounging by the pool on a Saturday afternoon. From around £412 per night. Belmond Copacobana Palace

Though the location is not what it was 50 years ago, after nearly 100 years, the Belmond Copacobana is still the best place in town for old-school glamour. With its black and white photos of Hollywood royalty (and real Royalty) lining the walls, vast chandeliers and acres of marble, it oozes luxury from every pore. From around £250 per night. La Maison by Dussol, RioLa Maison by Dussol

 If you’re after something a little more quirky than Hotel Fasano or Belmond Copacobana Palace, try La Maison by Dussol, a charming boutique B&B on a clifftop in Gávea, 10 minutes from Ipanema. La Maison is the creation of Frenchman François-Xavier Dussol who has based the décor on his own travel experiences and though each of the five rooms is inspired by a different part of the world, the whole is as Rio as it gets. From around £110 per night.Casa Amarelo, RioCasa Amarelo

Another quirky option is Casa Amarelo, set on a hilltop in the historical neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. The hotel is fashioned from a 1904 mansion, remodeled in 2006 by another Frenchman, Laurent Gelis. A confection of turrets, terraces and tiled winter garden, Casa Amerelo offers just seven rooms, done in pared down French-Brazilian style. From around £160 per night.TuAkAzA, RioTuAkAzA

TuAkAzA is Rio’s rustic luxury option. Built as a private residence in the Sixties by Zanine Caldas, the Brazilian ‘master of wood’, the enchanting pousada is perched on a hill above the hip São Conrado neighbourhood. Each of the five rooms has a balcony offering stunning beach views while the waterfall-fed pool cut out of the rock face is a delight. The one possible downside is that only breakfast is served, but local restaurants are happy to deliver. From around £335 per night.

BY MAGGIE O’SULLIVAN