Rio, Olympic style

Hosting the Olympic Games from August 5th to 21st, the former capital of Brazil has been treated to a facelift. Embellished and modernized, it has been given a fresh dose of vitality without losing its incomparable power of seduction.

Officially founded in 1555, São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro is famous worldwide for its idyllic beaches, its Sugarloaf Mountain rising to an altitude of 396 metres, and its statue of Christ the Redeemer symbolically protecting the 6.5 million or so inhabitants from the top of the Corcovado mountain. Playing host to the 31st Summer Olympics has sparked wide-ranging excitement. Opened up to the world and more dynamic than ever, Rio has opened new hotels, its boutiques have been embellished, and a collection of good restaurants have opened their doors especially over towards Rua Pacheco Leao, the Botanical Gradens and Rua Conde de Iraja. Rio is not, of course, lacking for culture. You simply have to visit the city’s Museum of Art to appreciate the richness of local naive art. Many contemporary works produced by artists born in the “favelas” bear withness to a striking and very appealing style. This summer, Rio de Janeiro will be clad in its finest attire. Let the party begin !

Les bonnes Tables :

Aprazivel

Set on the Joatinga cliffs, this luxury boutique hotel with two pools offers stunning views of the ocean. Decorated in pure avant-garde style by François-Xavier Dussol, each room benefits from a private terrace and its own colour code. The spectacular Black Suite enjoys breathtaking views. www.bydussol.com/la-suite/

An architectural gem of the Art Deco style at the edge of the legendary Copacabana beach, the palatial Belmond Copacabana Palace offers 239 rooms with refined decor, including 7 magnificent penthouse suites taking luxury to its highest peak. www.belmond.com

A member of The Leading Hotels of the world, the Fasano stands at the edge of the sublime Ipanema beach. Decorated by Philippe Starck, it pays homage to the Golden Age of the Bossa Nova, with typical Brazilian materials such as ipe parquet floors. Its gastronomic “Al Mare” restaurant is run by a star-rated Florentine chef, while the Renata spa offers La Prairie treatments. www.fasano.com

At the top of Santa Teresa, this chic and authentic restaurant proposes the very essence of local gastronomy and an exemplary list of natural Brazilian wines. www.aprazivel.com.br

Iriga Gastro

After working at the ultra-famous Noma in Copenhagen, chef Pedro de Artagao opened his own address on the street playing host to Rio’s most fashionable restaurants. His cuisine blends local and international influences. www.irajagastro.com.br

L’Étoile

On the 26th floor of the Sheraton, this gastronomic French restaurant offers fabulous views of the city. At night, total enchantment casts its spell ! www.letoile-rio.com/br