Fasano Rio

Rooms

The 79 rooms and 10 suites are beautifully designed and full of character. Parquet floors and whitewashed walls show off period-styled furniture, and original photographs from the 50s and 60s depict diving boards and tango dancers. Beds are kingsize - loaded with crisp white linen and mounds of goose-down pillows - and lamps are of onyx, the 'eared' mirrors were custom-designed by Philippe Starck for the hotel.

The mod cons you'd expect from a luxury hotel blend in seamlessly, the attention to detail is first-rate: you get fluffy white dressing gowns, 800g towels, minibar, umbrella, shoehorn and WiFi. Turn down service is twice daily, replenishing the complimentary fresh water, supplying tomorrow's weather forecast, and a nightly chocolate. There's even a butler service for that extra degree of luxury. A cordless phone is supplied, you can take it with you around the hotel.

Most rooms are Superior Courtyard, but although these are the cheapest rooms, they're by no means spartan. Each has double or twin beds, a dark-wood desk (with a bowl of fruit for booking through i-escape) and a retro leather armchair. All have sliding French doors onto a private terrace; note that half do not face the sea. The Superior Ocean rooms on the first floor are larger and all face the sea with a private terrace.

The top categories, starting with the Deluxe Ocean Rooms, are more spacious and all have balconies with chairs and fantastic sea views.

Suites all have a larger minibar, espresso machines and fresh flowers on arrival. The 7 Ocean Front Suites have separate living areas, 2 bathrooms, Jacuzzis and walk-in closets. However, the 3 supersize Ocean Deluxe Suites are the pièce de resistance - almost 5 times the size of the Superior Rooms, with a panoramic view of the ocean.

Bathrooms are full marble and the walk-in showers in the higher room categories overlook the Atlantic Ocean. Ample Fasano-branded amenities supplied include shampoo, liquid soap, moisturiser, conditioner, cotton buds, shower caps and cotton wool, and bath foam in the suites.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Fasano is a name that's synonymous with gourmet cuisine - this is the fourth generation of the family whose gastronomic empire began with a coffee import/export business in 1902 in São Paulo. It's not just the food that's fabulous though; the über-cool Fasano restaurants are places to rub shoulders with the city's movers and shakers.

Here Gero serves elegant Italian cuisine in a smart dining space. Fresh pasta and risotto are paired with gooey cheeses, seafood, meat or veg, and there are delicious-sounding Italian desserts like mascarpone and strawberry tartlets or cannoli with ricotta and lemon. The wine list is endless (with an Italian emphasis), and the service impeccable.

Breakfast is also served in the restaurant; choose from an extensive buffet of house made breads including pão de queijo (a Brazilian favourite made with cheese), fresh fruit, sausages, eggs to order, yoghurt, fruit juices. Let Fasano Rio know of any dietary restrictions, all easily catered for.

The rooftop bar is open all day, serving a mix of hot and cold light meals and freshly squeezed tropical fruit juices - a great place for lunch, sundowners and late-night cocktails, and for gazing at that stunning panoramic view.

Light meals and drinks are also available in the Baretto-Londra lounge bar - a hip space with leather chairs, a British rock 'n' roll theme and regular DJ sets.

There are also many excellent restaurants within walking distance and beyond to choose from. Alessandro e Frederico (Rua Garcia D’Avila) is good for brunch, salads, pizza and pasta, with a lovely terrace for alfresco dining. If you’re into ice cream, swing by bijou Mil Frutas in the same street for dessert. Sister restaurant Gero also offers Italian fare just round the corner, Aprazivel is in boho Santa Teresa.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Kids' meals
• Private dining
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Soak up the sun on the hotel's rooftop terrace - its infinity pool has staggering views of the city and Dois Irmãos
  
  
• Lie on the beach at Ipanema and watch beautiful Brazilians play beach tennis and volleyball; the promenade is pedestrianised on Sundays when the great and the good (and their dogs) parade up and down
  
  
• Learn to water ski; the hotel can arrange a variety of watersports
  
  
• Go and see the enormous Christ the Redeemer statue at the top of Corcovado - either catch the train up the steep hills or go in a private taxi. The views from the top are incredible, as is the size of the statue itself (30m)
  
  
• Buy a suitcase and fill it with new clothes - the designer shops on Rua Prudente de Morais and Rua Visconde de Piraja are fantastic, and there's the Hippie Market on Sundays
  
  
• Take in some live samba and choro at Rio Scenarium and Carioca da Gema in Lapa. Locals flock there at weekends and the atmosphere is carnival-esque
  
  
• Visit the Instituto Moreira Salles, a former private residence with landscaped gardens which now houses 19th- and 20th-century photographic exhibitions and rotating exhibits of contemporary Brazilian artists (closed Mondays)
  
  
• Take the cable car up Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) and look out over Rio from a different angle
  
  
• Get a taxi to Rio’s old town and the bohemian hillside
  neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, both a 30-minute drive - the latter offers a dose of local colour and colonial architecture
  
  
• Stroll around the peaceful Jardim Botânico - beautiful sculpted gardens with statues, fountains and rare plants from the Amazon, plus toucans and monkeys
  
  
• Take a tour through H Stern’s gem workshops on Rua Garcia D’Avila, where Brazil’s most exquisite stones are on display (Brazil is famous for its aquamarines). Be on your guard for some hard selling though
  
  
• Jump in a taxi and ask for Prainha, a lovely secluded beach just south of the city
  
  
• Enjoy a signature 1hr 20m mais vida treatment (based on shiatsu and reflexology) in Fasano Spa

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Plantlife / flora
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures

Best Time to go

Our Top Tips

Location

Fasano Rio is located on the oceanfront in the stylish district of Ipanema, adjacent to Leblon. It's a 10-minute drive from Copacabana and 27km from the international airport.

By Air:
Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International (27km away) is Rio's international airport, with links to the US, Europe and beyond. Domestic flights from elsewhere in Brazil normally land at Santos Dumont Domestic Airport (10km away). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving both these airports.

From the Airport
The hotel offers transfers from both airports - see Rates for details. Alternatively you can take a radio taxi - buy a pre-paid voucher at the Transcoopass desk in the arrivals hall.

By Car:
You won't need a car in Rio, but if you want to hire one to explore the surrounding region, see our car rental recommendations.

By Bus:
Brazil's major cities are linked by excellent bus services. Always travel first class because the difference in fares is nominal, but it means you get air conditioning, reclining seats and bathroom facilities. Services stop at the Novo Rio Rodoviaria terminal downtown; from there you can take a taxi to the hotel.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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