Ever since Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire 'flew down to Rio' and danced across the ballroom floor the Copacabana Palace has been Rio de Janeiro's most famous hotel. A landmark of 1920s architecture the grand dame is still a pretty sexy broad and the scene at the swimming pool is as stylish today as it was when as Carmen Miranda sipped cocktails at sunset. Inspired by Nice's Negresco, it evokes all the glitz and glamour of a bygone era. Pick a bedroom overlooking Copacabana beach and people watch. Brazil's well heeled families flock to the Sunday brunch and we also like the traditional poolside Brazilian feijoada. For the ultimate seduction splash out for the penthouse Suite on the top floor with ocean views and its own private butler.