Belmond Copacabana Palace

Inaugurated in 1923, the "Copa" is the undisputed grand dame of South American hospitality. Designed by French architect Joseph Gire, the building was inspired by the Hotel Negresco in Nice and the Carlton in Cannes, bringing European "Grand Tour" elegance to Rio de Janeiro. It was the first large structure on Copacabana Beach, built with Carrara marble and Bohemia crystal. Its history is a glamorous roll call of 20th-century icons, from Marlene Dietrich to The Rolling Stones. An Art Deco masterpiece, it served as the backdrop for the film Flying Down to Rio and remains a protected national monument of Brazil.