Abi Dare, Deputy Editor at boutique hideaway specialists, i-escape, picks her favourite Rio boltholes
Hotel Santa Teresa
The boho barrio of Santa Teresa is one of Rio's coolest neighbourhoods – an arty jumble of crumbling townhouses, cobbled streets, galleries and bars. At its heart is this luxurious yet laid-back hotel, which has a Natura spa, a 25m pool hidden in tropical gardens, and a restaurant that serves food from all four corners of Latin America. It's set in a restored neo-colonial mansion, but the 44 airy rooms and suites are a celebration of ethnic Brazil, with indigenous woods, handcrafted furniture, native Amazonian art, and fresh orchids everywhere you look.
Doubles from around £250, room only
Castelinho38
Few things beat swinging in a hammock on your balcony, caipirinha in hand – except, perhaps, when you can swing in a hammock on your balcony, caipirinha in hand, without breaking the bank. If you're looking for a chic but cheap place to stay in Rio, this 12-room guesthouse and artists' forum is perfect. It occupies a charmingly haphazard castelinho - literally 'small castle' - in boho Santa Teresa, and is furnished with an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and salvaged objets. There are art and photography exhibitions in the lobby, daily Pilates sessions in the garden, and a terrace bar which attracts an eclectic crowd. Best of all, the friendly staff provide truly personal service, tailoring itineraries to meet all your sightseeing and partying needs.
La Suite by Dussol
Clinging to a cliffside above the secret surfers' beach of Joatinga, this glamorous guesthouse lies a little way from the city centre. But once you've seen the 180-degree views back towards Rio's coastline, you'll know why it's worth the 20-minute taxi journey to get here. The spectacular panorama is visible from each of the seven suites (all with private balconies), as well as from the breakfast terrace, the glass-walled lounge and the palm-fringed infinity pool. The interiors are pretty special, too: a vibrant fusion of Warhol prints and hip 1970s furniture, with a dash of French glitz thrown in for good measure.
Fasano Rio
Beach babes will love this stylish hotel, set bang on the seafront in iconic Ipanema. Designer Philippe Starck took inspiration from Art Deco, bossa nova and the 1950s to create an elegant, understated feel in the 89 rooms and suites. There's a spa for pampering, a restaurant for upscale Italian food, and a private patch of sand where you can laze on a lounger and watch Rio's bronzed and beautiful strutting their stuff. But the biggest draw is the rooftop pool, with its daybeds, bar and staggering views; the perfect spot for sunbathing, sundowners and late-night cocktails.
Doubles from around £550 , room only
Casa Mosquito
If you want something quieter but still within easy reach of the action, head to this Franco-Brazilian hideaway, perched on the hillside above Ipanema and Copacabana. It's a steep walk up, but you'll be rewarded with white curtains billowing on verandas, jazz playing softly in the background, and delicious Mediterranean style meals in the leafy courtyard garden. The rooftop terrace has sparkling pool, weekend DJs and sweeping views of Sugarloaf mountain. As for the nine rooms, they're a cool blend of eclectic art, tropical wallpaper and retro design classics, and many have balconies looking out over the rooftops to the ocean beyond.
