Luxurious to the extreme, the legendary Copacabana Palace showcases the best of Rio hospitality. Opened in 1923. it was refurbished in 1989 when it was bought by the Orient-Express international hotel chain and renamed Belmond Copacabana Palace. With 216 rooms, a semi-olympic pool, a VIP penthouse pool, a three storey-spa, a fitness center, three restaurants and a tennis court, it is Rio's and South America's most glamorous hotel. Former guests include Princess Diana, the King and Queen of Norway, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Luciano Pavarotti, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones and Madonna, to name a few.