Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro

Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro sits on Avenida Vieira Souto in Ipanema, right on the seafront. It was the first Brazilian project for designer Philippe Starck, and it is home to Gero Rio, the group's Italian restaurant, with a balcony for eating outdoors.

There are 89 rooms, a spa on the first floor and an infinity pool on the roof that looks over Ipanema Beach to Arpoador, the Dois Irmãos peaks and Corcovado. This is a city hotel rather than a resort, so weddings here are intimate, from mini weddings up to parties of around 100 guests.

The hotel hosts mini weddings and parties of up to 100 guests, using the rooftop, Gero, Fasano Caffè, Baretto-Londra and a meeting room. Fasano Caffè has space for around 90 inside and out, which suits a relaxed dinner. The team also runs pre-wedding drinks and after parties, so it works well as a base around a ceremony held elsewhere in Rio. Ask the team where ceremonies can take place, whether the rooftop can be booked privately and about timings for the evening.

With 89 rooms, a small wedding can sleep everyone here. Bigger groups have plenty of choice along Ipanema, so ask the team which hotels they suggest.

The days fill easily: the spa, the rooftop pool bar with light meals and cocktails, the beach across the road and the whole of Rio beyond. Santos Dumont, the city airport, is about 25 minutes by car and Galeão International around 40 minutes, but traffic varies, so plan arrivals with time to spare.