Right next to the world-famous Copacabana Palace hotel, the Excelsior is for those who don't suffer from hotel envy and can instead feel proud that they are saving themselves a small fortune for the same beachfront location. And for a three star hotel it really delivers, with Brazilian redwood panelling in the corridors and marble touches in the bathrooms, the buffet breakfast is a star attraction with pancakes, smoked salmon, a wealth of different smoothies and all manner of exotic fruits to explore. With 233 clean, comfortable rooms, the view is the most important factor to consider here, with some offering the glory of the Atlantic Ocean, others the grime of the garbage skips out the back. The staff also seem to be trying their best to outshine their illustrious neighbours, eager to help and with mostly good English, on the beach they even dish out towels to guests and keep the sun loungers at the ready. If sand is not your thing the rooftop pool will be, and the view over to Christ the Redeemer never fails to please.