Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro

Av. Atlântica 1702 sits steps away from the sand of Copacabana Beach. It is a fifteen-minute walk from the Forte de Copacabana and marks the most recognizable point along the shoreline.

The hotel sets the standard for the area, though it behaves differently than the modern glass towers that have since lined the coast. Where newer buildings prioritize efficiency, this property uses its scale to define the street. It is dressier than the surrounding beachfront spots, acting as a social hub for those who prefer the traditional architecture of Rio de Janeiro over the contemporary developments further down the beach toward Ipanema. While the stretch of coast is crowded, the density of the building creates a sense of separation from the public boardwalk that its neighbors cannot replicate.