Hotel Portinari

Good value design hotel located between Copacabana and Ipanema beaches

Not sure whether to stay in Copacabana or Ipanema? Hotel Portinari captures the best of both worlds. Situated half way between these 2 legendary beaches, it's named after Brazil's famous Modernist painter, Candido Portinari, and is a work of art in its own right.

Ten of Brazil's top architects and designers were invited to bring their unique creativity to different parts of the hotel, from the lobby bar to the rooftop restaurant. Each of the 11 floors was assigned a different architect, including Gilmar Peres and Marcia Muller. Result: 66 rooms and suites ranging from soothing, contemporary and minimalist to colourful, tropical or traditional. Wherever you are in the hotel the different styles will reach you, whether it be the spa mosaics, the specially commissioned black and white stills of Rio, or the staff's funky uniforms. When it first opened, this hotel managed to break the mould. Today it still wins its place as one of a kind.

Highs

• Friendly and helpful staff (though not all speak good English)
• Some of Rio's most stylish rooms (though some are feeling a bit dated now)
• The central location: many of Rio's best beaches, shops and cafés are within easy walking distance
• Great value for money

Lows

• None of the rooms face the ocean (it's set a block back from the beach)
• There's no swimming pool, but there is a rooftop Jacuzzi and the beach is just around the corner
• The location is a bit run down and can get a bit noisy - but you are in Rio!