Hotel
Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel
A symbol of Rio, opened facing Copacabana Beach in 1923, with a half-Olympic pool, the Michelin-starred Mee and a guest list of legends.
Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro
A four-star Lapa hotel opened in 2014, combining a restored 19th-century mansion with a modern tower, an outdoor pool and a free spa for guests.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic city hotel
- Area
- Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Hotel class
- 4-star
- Official site
- vilagale.com
Good to know
- Outdoor pool
- Satsanga Spa free for guests
- Two restaurants
- Garden bar
- Free Wi-Fi
- Accessible rooms
Why we recommend it
Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro is a four-star hotel on Rua Riachuelo in Lapa, run by the Portuguese hotel group Vila Galé. It opened in December 2014 and combines two very different buildings: the Ala Collection, set in a restored 19th-century mansion, and the Ala Lapa Towers, a modern 13-storey tower.
The hotel has 292 rooms across the two wings, 15 of them adapted for guests with reduced mobility. The rooms in the old mansion give a sense of the area's history, while the tower suits travellers who prefer modern rooms.
Facilities are generous for a city-centre hotel. An outdoor pool for adults and children sits beside the Splash bar, open from 10:00 to 18:00. The Satsanga Spa is free for hotel guests, with a hydromassage bath, Turkish bath, massage and treatment rooms and a gym. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and eight meeting rooms make the hotel popular for conferences.
The dining options take their name from bossa nova. The main restaurant, Vinicius de Morais, serves buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, while Inevitável offers à la carte dinners from 19:00 to 22:30. The Vinicius de Moraes bar, inside the old mansion, opens from 18:00 to 22:00 and looks over an inner courtyard and garden.
The hotel suits families, groups and travellers who want good facilities at a mid-range price and are happy to be in the historic centre rather than on the beach. According to the hotel, it is close to the financial centre and Santos Dumont airport, and well placed for the Maracanã and the Sambódromo.
Lapa is home to some of Rio's best-known live-music venues, including Rio Scenarium and Carioca da Gema. The Escadaria Selarón, covered in tiles from more than 60 countries, climbs from Lapa towards Santa Teresa, and the Lapa Arches, crossed by the Santa Teresa tram, are a landmark of the district.
The centre's sights are also within reach: the Theatro Municipal on Cinelândia, the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura and Confeitaria Colombo, and further along the waterfront the Museum of Tomorrow on Praça Mauá, reached by the VLT light rail.
For reservations, the hotel lists +55 21 2460-4500 and [email protected], and the official website has current rates and offers. Note that the beaches of the South Zone are a ride away, so plan transport if a beach day is a priority.
Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro FAQs
How many stars does Vila Galé Rio have?
Four stars.
How many rooms are there?
292 rooms in two wings, including 15 adapted for reduced mobility.
Is the building historic?
The Ala Collection is a restored 19th-century mansion; the Ala Lapa Towers is a modern 13-storey tower.
Is there a pool?
Yes. An outdoor pool for adults and children, with the Splash bar beside it.
Is the spa free?
Yes. The Satsanga Spa is free for hotel guests.
What restaurants are there?
Vinicius de Morais for buffet meals and Inevitável for à la carte dinners.
How do you contact reservations?
By phone on +55 21 2460-4500 or email at [email protected].
What is nearby?
The Escadaria Selarón, the Lapa Arches and the historic centre.