A Review of Emiliano Rio, an SLH Hotel: Brazilian Boutique Luxury on Copacabana

There is no place in the world quite like Rio de Janeiro.

Since my first visit in 2009, I’ve spent a lot of time in this incredible city. Curious about why I loved it so much, my dad came to visit me in 2018 and got hooked, too.

Every visit, we treat ourselves to a spot of luxury at one of the city’s nicest hotels (of which there are many). This year was the turn of Emiliano — a Brazilian boutique brand that has just 2 properties. I loved my brief stay at Emiliano São Paulo last year, so I couldn’t wait to see what Emiliano had to offer in my favorite place in the world.

Honestly, there are countless reasons, but here are a few that I think will tempt you to consider Emiliano Rio when planning a trip to a cidade mais linda (most beautiful city).

How To Book a Stay at Emiliano Rio

If you’re an American Express credit cardholder or a member of Hilton Honors with a ton of points, then booking a stay at Emiliano Rio gets all the more interesting.

I’m a huge fan of Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts program, thanks to the great value you can get when booking through it (more on that later). I used my U.K. version of the Platinum Card^® from American Express to book directly via the FHR portal for $1,800. That worked out to around $300 per night each for my dad and me, which we categorized as comfortably within the treat zone.

Hot Tip:

If you are tempted to book this hotel and don’t currently have an Amex Platinum card, it’s seriously worth considering applying before you book. The perks and benefits that you get when booking a hotel stay Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts can add insane value to your stay.

We worked out that we probably got around $1,000 of extra value for this stay — that’s more than enough to cover the card’s annual fee without factoring in the rest of its perks and benefits.

Benefits you can enjoy when booking Emiliano Rio via Amex’s FHR program are:

• Daily breakfast for 2
• Upgrade on arrival (when available)
• 12 p.m. check-in (when available)
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout
• $150 spa credit

Emiliano Rio is also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), which was integrated into Hilton’s portfolio in 2024. As such, Hilton Honors members can use points to stay at the hotel. The lowest nightly rates I found started at 120,000 per night. While that’s at the very top end of Hilton’s redemptions, it could be tempting if you’re overflowing with points.

Let’s take a look at why you should consider a stay.

Rooms So Nice You Won’t Want To Leave

I originally booked the lowest category room, an internally facing Deluxe Twin Room. However, thanks to booking via Amex FHR, we were confirmed an upgrade to an Ocean Deluxe King Room at check-in without even having to ask. At around $290 extra per night, this room would have made our stay $870 more expensive at the time of booking.

As much as I’m a huge advocate of this hotel, I wouldn’t recommend staying here if it’s your first time in Rio. If you manage to prise yourself away from the rooftop, the ocean-facing rooms’ breathtaking views are capable of keeping you at the hotel rather than going out to explore.

The views at sunrise and after dark offer a completely different perspective of Copacabana.

The huge bed was topped with more pillows than Dad knew what to do with.

None of these ocean-facing Deluxe rooms has a twin-bed setup, since I bet most guests are couples rather than father-and-son. The sofa bed is technically meant for kids, but the team was more than happy to set this up for me.

We didn’t unpack, but there was lots of wardrobe space.

Another wow factor of the room was the bathroom, which was more like a wet room and was probably designed with couples in mind. The privacy blinds came in handy for us while enjoying the powerful and temperate shower. Showers that have actual hot water in Rio are rarer than you might think.

It was stocked with all the amenities I’d expect from a 5-star hotel, including Emiliano’s signature Amazonia lotions and potions by Santapele.

Small touches like the solid stone tissue holder, perfectly folded face towels, and a decorative fresh flower were a nod to Emiliano Rio’s attention to detail that made it shine even brighter.

The rest of the bathroom was appointed with everything else you’d expect. However, the poor lighting by the main mirror made it difficult to see properly when we shaved or applied contact lenses.

Generous à la Carte Breakfast

Dad loves a hotel breakfast. So much so that when I’m planning our trips, properties that offer breakfast-included rates are a preference.

Thanks to Amex, we indulged in a hearty breakfast each morning to set us up for a day of working (me) and soaking it up (dad).

The lush green plant wall and sleek modern design of the hotel’s Emile restaurant made for a glorious setting to savor a breakfast feast.

Enjoying several courses each morning, we truly made the most of the unlimited à la carte menu.

I rarely veer from my calorie-conscious breakfast routine, even when surrounded by indulgent temptations. My usual egg white omelette with ham, mushroom, and cheese (just a sprinkle), was cooked to perfection each morning.

The bread selection and fresh cold cuts were a particular hit with Dad.

Breakfast is served each day at the Emile restaurant from 6 until 11 a.m. The menu, created by Argentinian chef Bernabé Simón Padrós, changes weekly and includes a variety of à la carte options.

Considering both the quality and quantity of food, it’s a great value at $33 per person if you don’t have breakfast included in your rate. I loved this breakfast so much that I even came back a few weeks later as a nonguest.

We also ate dinner here one rainy evening and enjoyed a delightful 3-course meal.

World-Class Spa

I’ve been fortunate to indulge in many luxury hotel spas, but few have been as memorable as Santapele Spa at Emilano Rio.

From start to finish, the treatment was layered with privacy, attention to detail, and a seamless guest experience. First, we were invited to change in a locker room that only we had access to. PIN code lockers were stocked with sumptuous robes and towels, cozy slippers, and a pair of massage underwear that was actually soft and comfortable.

I don’t know how they managed it, but neither my dad nor I crossed paths with any other guest, and I know that it was fully booked during our stay.

Some massages come with a 10-minute premassage foot and leg warmup.

This was followed in due course by the main massage. I drifted into dreamland almost immediately and came back down to earth feeling heavenly. Even if you’re not a guest of Emiliano Rio, I’d recommend booking a treatment at the Santapele Spa.

My massage would have cost $118, but thanks to my $150 spa credit, it cost me nothing. We put the rest toward a massage for dad and split the difference.

Brazilian Hospitality at Its Finest

Some hotels like to brandish a 5-star rating without actually offering a level of service that meets expectations. That is not the case with Emiliano Rio.

There were a few occasions where staff members went above and beyond what I’d experienced in other luxury properties.

Dad had just landed from England and was dressed in his winter clothes while we waited for our room to be ready up on the hotel’s rooftop. Everton, a member of the waitstaff, had clearly noticed this and asked if Dad would like to swap into a pair of Havaianas rather than his socks and trainers. I have never experienced that level of proactivity in Brazil at any of the nice hotels I’ve stayed in.

I ate a bowl of açaí as we were getting caught up on life, and we were handed the key at 2 p.m. on the button — an hour in advance of the regular check-in time. That could be the hotel’s standard early check-in time, as I noticed 2 other sets of guests being handed their keys at exactly 2 p.m.

Waiting for us on the bed were a Panama hat each, a notebook, and a fruit platter.

Every afternoon, we’d come back to the room to find a different sweet treat waiting for us.

A final shoutout for exceeding all regular levels of customer service goes to Lara. Breakfast wouldn’t have been the same without her bright smile and positive energy. On our last day, completely out of nowhere, she wished us farewell with this adorable little box of chocolates.

Rooftop Pool, Bar, and Restaurant With a View

A luxury hotel in Rio without some kind of rooftop pool situation is, well … good luck.

Emiliano Rio excels in the rooftop pool category, especially for views.

The restaurant, bar, and rooftop pool are open to guests every day from 8 a.m. Nonguests are also welcome for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. Reservations are mandatory.

It’s worth popping up here to check out the view at night, too.

There are a ton of sunbeds, but only 10 to 12 are in the coveted front row with undisrupted views.

The pool itself is more of a sip-cocktails-and-chat zone rather than a lap pool.

I spent as much time as possible on the roof. An added bonus was the great, reasonably priced food; I enjoyed my basic gringo club sandwich with this view.

I didn’t realize this until my last day, but apparently, you can reserve the loungers in the front row.

It Has a Prime Location

Emiliano Rio is located toward the southern-most tip of Copacabana Beach. The closest posto, the name given to the towers that mark different sections of Rio’s beaches, is Posto 5.

It’s also only a short walk from Arpoador and the start of Ipanema. Aproador is famous for being a popular sunset spot, and Ipanema is, well, Ipanema.

There are so many cafés and restaurants to try in the area that I have barely scratched the surface, and I live there!

Final Thoughts

Brazilians often describe themselves as having a “jeitinho brasileiro.” It translates as “a little Brazilian way,” and, for me, it encapsulates their many lovable personality traits and characteristics. It’s this charisma, kindness, joy, sexiness, and general positive outlook on life that has had me hooked since my first trip in 2009. When this jeitinho brasileiro makes its way into the heart and soul of a hotel, you know you are enjoying the best type of Brazilian hospitality that money can buy. Emiliano Rio is a fine example of this, and I cannot wait to see how this jeitinho sambas its way into its new properties as the brand expands.