All fun and Games in Brazil’s party city

opened last month in the Botafogo district and has doubles from BR$644 (£150), room only, with views across Guanabara Bay and lots of Brazilian design touches throughout. The striking graffiti mural on the elevator shaft (seen through the glass-backed walls) is the handiwork of local street artist Marcelo Ment.

Budget travellers are also well catered for with the De Lapa Design Hotel (00 55 21 2252 4237; dalapahotel.com), a trendy property with 26 rooms (including dorms). It blends original features such as the tiles and crumbling walls, with flashes of red and turquoise. Doubles from BR$300 (£70), room only.

But easily the most A-list address in town is the Fasano (00 55 21 3202 4000; f a s a no.c om. br ) — a not her S t a rc kdesigned hotel. It is the regular haunt for everyone from Hollywood actresses to rock royalty thanks to its impeccable service, lively London-themed drinking den and infinity rooftop overlooking Ipanema Beach and the rolling Atlantic. Doubles cost from BR$1,540 (£361), including breakfast. them is Mercado Moderno (00 55 21 2508 6083; mercadomodernobrasil. com.br). Housed in a narrow dilapidated building from the 1800s, it sells vintage mid-century pieces including bits from designers such as the legendary late Sérgio Rodrigues, a man who has been nicknamed the father of Brazilian furniture.

Elsewhere, browse handicrafts and art at the 60-year-old Feira Hippie de Ipanema (Hippy Fair), every Sunday in Praça General Osório. And women can look the part on the beach by picking up some new swimwear from the nearby BumBum store (bumbum.com. br).