A luxurious modern hotel perched on Ipanema Beach by famed Brazilian hospitality group, Fasano Rio de Janeiro boasts a sublime rooftop pool with picture perfect views of Dois Irmãos in an unbeatable location.
Location 9/10
Set on a curve towards the eastern end of Ipanema, Fasano Rio de Janeiro positions travelers in the heart of one of Rio’s most iconic beach scenes. Compared to neighboring Copacabana Beach, Ipanema has a slightly more subdued locals vibe, yet with all the hallmarks that make Rio’s beaches one-of-a-kind, including vendors traipsing through the sand selling everything from bikinis to grilled queijo, caipirinhas and canga beach blankets.
Ipanema frames incredible views of Rio’s rolling topography, from Dois Irmãos to the west, Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer to the north and Sugarloaf Mountains to the northwest. There are plenty of restaurants and bars, plus great shopping (stock up on Brazilian bikinis!) in nearby Leblon.
“It was a gently, coddling, evasionary tactic which I recommend to anyone whose nature is not to face hard things. Skip town.”
Eve Babitz, “Eve’s Hollywood,” 1972
Design 8/10
Designed by Philippe Starck and opened in 2007, anyone familiar with the celebrated French designer’s work of that era, mostly in New York and Miami in collaboration with hotelier Ian Schraeger, will recognize his playful, surreal touch set against a minimalist, tropical modern backdrop. Think, dark, moody lighting, gleaming hardwood, amorphous mirrors that suggest movement, abstract sculptures and low-slung jewel-toned sectional sofas.
Amenities & Hospitality 8/10
There’s an old world gentility and attentiveness to the hospitality, which is easy to get used to.
More a boutique hotel than a sprawling resort, the rooftop pool is the piece de resistance. Designed to take full advantage of the views, it perfectly frames the ocean and the Dois Irmãos peeks that are synonymous with Ipanema. Down on the sand, dedicated beach service is provided and there’s also a spa and small fitness center.
Rooms 8/10
Our deluxe oceanfront room was more long than wide for a linear design scheme with a desk behind the bed and a sitting area in front of it, featuring a club chair with dramatic proportions. Rooms seamlessly flow out to spacious oceanfront balconies decked out in dark hardwood with gorgeous modernist lounge chairs to match that naturally evoke a sense of calm and relaxation. The balcony was our favorite place to while away the morning with a coffee and gazing out at the ocean with the Cagarras islands on the horizon.
Bathrooms are outfitted in white marble with enormous rainfall showers and Starck’s signature “ear-shaped” mirrors inspired by Dalí. The natural wood and stone finishes make for a sumptuous abode.
Food & Beverage 8/10
The hotel’s signature restaurant Gero is an elegant Italian restaurant named for the Fasano’s founder. It features a range of classic dishes, from beef carpaccio to spaghetti puttanesca, a variety of risottos and roasted lamb. There’s also Fasano Caffe with indoor and outdoor seating for a gorgeous breakfast buffet and the pool bar where a filet mignon sandwich and a passionfruit caiprinha pair perfectly.
Value 8/10
Current rates from about $687. Book.
The Bottom Line
For the quintessential Rio de Janeiro beach vacation with a sublime rooftop pool and unbeatable Ipanema location, all signs point to Fasano Rio.
Contact
Av. Vieira Souto, 80, Rio de Janeiro; +55 212 149 1800; fasano.com.br
