Presiding over Rio's famed Copacabana Beach with authority and grace, the Copacabana Palace Hotel has been a symbol of old fashioned glamour for dignitaries and socialites since its birth in 1923.

Named to the prestigious Institutional Investor 2004 World's Best Hotels list, this landmark hotel property stands out in the ambitious portfolio of achievements by French Architect Joseph Gire, who was inspired by two hotels, the Negresco in Nice and the Carlton in Cannes.

Featuring an elaborate collection of halls and corridors that showcase classic architectural treatments and forms, the Copacabana Palace is a study in European design.

Interiors boast vaulted ceilings, arched walkways, Doric columns and vibrant plant arrangements that suggest feelings of vitality and timelessness.

The property also houses one of the city's largest and most attractive swimming pools, where brilliant white patio lounge furniture and the hotel's stucco facade create a soothing atmosphere.

With a variety of dining environments, the Copacabana Palace invites guests to indulge themselves in either

• the Cipriani Restaurant, where Northern Italian cuisine is served in an intimate setting, or
• enjoy Brazilian specialties and international dishes in the poolside bistro Pergola.

Other amenities include a fitness center, conference and banquet facilities, and a business center.

Tailored to accommodate a range of clientele, the Copacabana Palace offers 225 units with hierarchical designations, each featuring a variety of layouts and decorative assignments.

• With intricate wooden floors, vast window compositions, bright optimistic walls and ambient spot lighting, the luxury apartments possess themes of hope and rebirth.
• In Penthouse Suites, guests will encounter Italian Renaissance furniture, vaulted ceilings and spacious living areas that project a sense of peaceful resignation.
• Private guestroom amenities such as Internet access, satellite television, business desks and bathrobes are staple offerings in every room of this seven story hotel which has been a landmark on Rio's famed Copacabana Beach since its opening in 1923.

Based on information provided by ian.com.