Rio de Janeiro

Mixing business with pleasure? Trying to trade your business suit for a bathing suit? As much as we love getting away from the office, it’s sometimes hard to think about all the work piling up back at our desks. (Emphasis on sometimes.) So for those instances when we need to check our emails or send out those TPS reports while getting some R&R, these gorgeous tropical retreats have us covered, and with more than just a phone jack. Whether they feature ample meeting spaces, dedicated business staff, or any number of other great work offerings, these properties are sure to please any productive vacationers, so you’ll have just the right mix of business with pleasure. Enjoy your bizcation!

Work and Play At: Porto Bay Rio Inernacional Hotel, Rio de Janiero

We'd trade in our desks for this setup any day

Rio is both a beautiful beach getaway and a mountain-lined urban hub, so it’s no wonder that many of the city’s hotels try to appeal to both business and leisure guests simultaneously. The Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel is one of these hotels. Located directly across from the Copacabana beach and offering a stocked, 24-hour business center, the property also boasts some pretty incredible ocean views from the fitness center, meeting rooms, and restaurants, so you never really have to tear yourself away from the beach to get Johnson those TPS reports.

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Luxe Stays in South America

by Kristina on April 29, 2013

The Relais & Chateaux Santa Teresa is a historic mansion turned luxurious boutique in Buenos Aires.

South America is home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels. Whether you want to sit beachside in Rio De Janeiro or soak in views of the Andes in Lima, the top hotels in the region are prepared to cater to your every whim. With both the grande dames of Buenos Aires and the luxe boutiques of Santiago offering guests the ultimate in service and amenities, it’s hard to turn down a trip to this diverse and exciting continent. Check out our favorites (so far!) in this slideshow.

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Legado Mitico is a charming, 11-room boutique in bustling Buenos AIres.

Finding a quiet boutique in a big city might seem like a challenge, but in reality, some of our most intimate stays are tucked into the corners of the world’s largest metropolises. Offering personalized service and charming details, these petite hotels – most have less than 20 rooms –  are some of our favorites. So if mega-metropolises such as Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles might intimidate you, fear not. You can always retreat to these intimate boutiques for some quiet time amidst the bustle of the big city.

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The Marriott Wailea Resort is a romantic honeymoon locale on Maui.

Honeymoons must be two things: romantic and memorable. Any old trip to the beach is just not going to suffice for a couple’s post-nuptial getaway. But thankfully, there are plenty of unique and luxurious properties out there for newlyweds. Remote jungle hideaways, cozy mountain lodges, luxe European grand dames, and gorgeous beachfront properties are waiting with a bottle of champagne at the ready to toast your “I dos.” These romantic hotels around the world are perfect honeymoon locales; go ahead and swoon over them in this slideshow.

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Pool at the Relais & Chateaux Santa Teresa; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Pool at the Relais & Chateaux Santa Teresa; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Elton John requested a separate room for his collection of glasses (of which he has almost 25,000) during his recent stay at the Relais & Chateaux Santa Teresa hotel in Rio de Janeiro.

2. FACT OF FAKEOUT? The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles rolled out a menu last month that offers several meals that are 500 calories or fewer.

3. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Benjamin hotel in New York City now allows guests to request calls to their rooms about an hour before bedtime to remind them to power off their electronic devices and prepare to go to sleep.

4. FACT OR FAKEOUT? A cup of seasonal, gourmet hot chocolate at the Four Seasons Resort Vail’s Fireside Lounge will set you back $16.

5. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Time hotel in New York recently unveiled a life-size statue of NBA star Dennis Rodman, who has stated several times in interviews that this is his favorite hotel in Manhattan.

Check out the answers after the jump!

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At this point in the season we’re all more than ready for some sun and high temperatures. You only need to check your friends’ Facebook statuses to know that you’re not the only one who’s feeling a little cranky about the recent cold snap. Heading to Miami, or an island in the Caribbean, may be the easiest way to escape the winter chills. But we tend to forget that the U.S.’s winter season can be the best moment to visit tons of great destinations in the Southern Hemisphere and just above the Equator, where the sunny, warm days are in full swing and the dry season starts to kick in. Whether you’re looking to trek to the top of a volcano or discover historic sites in a big city, we’ve got the destination for you. Check out our top picks for escaping the cold, and start packing!

For the Adventurous Type: Costa Rica

The Arenal Volcano is one of the top attractions in Costa Rica, and it is still possible to see some fumaroles activity.

The Arenal Volcano is one of the top attractions in Costa Rica, and it is still possible to see some fumaroles activity.

Costa Rica can be anything from a peaceful oasis to a crowded and touristy spot depending on the time of the year and the region visited — but it’s still far less developed than most popular beach destinations such as Mexico and the Caribbean. December through April is the best time to visit, as rainfall drops to a minimum, and days are long and sunny. The country is home to hundreds of diverse habitats, making it easy to enjoy beach days, eco-tourism, and outdoor adventures all in the same trip, and without having to travel long distances. The geography is infinitely varied, ranging from rugged coastlines and bustling towns to misty forests and active volcanoes.

Rico Tico Bar & Grill boasts gorgeous ocean and jungle views.

Rico Tico Bar & Grill boasts gorgeous ocean and jungle views.

A staple in the beautiful Manuel Antonio resort area, the 58-room Si Como No is carefully built into a lush hillside, which means great views and winding paths surrounded by colorful flowers and wildlife. The amenities are a main draw here: two pools, two restaurants, a spa, a movie theater, and a wildlife refuge across the street. Unplugged rooms aren’t particularly luxurious, but you’ll want to be spending your time outdoors anyways.

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Gorgeous views and a chic setting make taking a dip on your honeymoon a sumptuous affair.

The luxe Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel is located across the street from the popular Copacabana beach in Rio De Janiero, Brazil. A diverse, lively city, Rio is known for many things. Carnaval — a raucous, two-week celebration with dancing, drinking, glitz, and glam — is often what comes to mind first. The city is also home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, as it’s gorgeous harbor, surrounded by steep, lush mountains, is truly breathtaking. And the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that overlooks the city is synonymous with the Brazilian city’s rich religious roots (gilded historic churches are popular sites to visit). Rio de Janeiro’s beaches are another major draw that newlyweds in particular are sure to enjoy. Practically year-round, beaches such as Arpoador (known for it’s sunsets), Copacabana, and Sao Conrado (a popular surfing spot) are crowded with visitors and locals. The center of the city’s nightlife is in Lapa where, any given night of the week, streets can become the site of massive dance parties, with revelers spilling out from the bars and playing lively samba music. Couples are encouraged to join in the fun.

The 117-room Porto Bay Rio hotel is a solid mid-range option for couples looking to experience some South American sizzle in the South Zone, home to the majority of the city’s hotels as well as numerous monuments, and the main attraction: beautiful beaches. Featuring sleek decor with blonde wood floors, small modern bathrooms, and a nearly all-white color palette, spaces are stylish but unpretentious. All rooms have stocked minibars and electric kettles, as well as balconies overlooking the ocean or floor-to-ceiling windows. The small but chic rooftop pool, poolside bar, and fitness center all have great views, and on the beach, attendants provide guests with towels, chairs, and umbrellas. There are also tasty on-site restaurants (one with a free breakfast buffet), and 24-hour room service is available. Couples will definitely enjoy the stunning vistas and stylish ambiance. Check out more honeymoon-approved photos of the Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel here »

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‘Tis the season for annual awards lists, but if you think you know what’s coming, guess again. Oyster’s awards aren’t like the other guys’ — we’re not like the other guys, so why should our awards be? You can find lists of the world’s best luxury hotels in a dozen other places, but only Oyster digs deep to learn every hotel’s secret quirks. Our hotel investigators trot the globe and visit every hotel in person so we can bring you the unvarnished truth, and this year, for the first-ever annual Oyster Hotel Awards, we’d like to show you the wackiest, coolest, weirdest, and most interesting things they came across in their travels. We are thrilled to present the 2012 selection of Oyster’s Most Interesting Hotels in the World. Are you ready for this?

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Batter this than a concrete wall, huh?

Better this than a concrete wall, huh?

No one likes to work out in a depressing basement with stuffy air and no natural light, but sometimes travelers have to take what they can get. After all, many hotel fitness centers feel like afterthoughts, with a few rusty machines crammed into a sad little rooms in forgotten corner of the hotels. But some hotels go above and beyond to provide an appealing space for travelers to work out, with large windows overlooking the city, the mountains, or the beach! Check out our 12 favorite hotel fitness centers with awesome views — and don’t forget to pack your workout clothes!

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The rooftop pool has gorgeous views of the city.

The rooftop pool has gorgeous views of the city.

Relais & Chateaux Santa Teresa is a historic mansion turned luxurious boutique hotel located on a former coffee plantation in Santa Teresa. It features gorgeous tropical decor, which includes bright cabanas in the lounge, lots of lush greenery (by the pool, on the grounds), tiled mosaics, and island-themed bed runners in the rooms. The lower-level rooms aren’t quite as upscale as the rest of the hotel (it’s pretty hard to be), but they do have sleek bathrooms, wood floors, flat-screen TVs, and a light, airy feel. Suites are higher-end, with extras such as four-poster beds of tropical wood, standalone tubs, and shady terraces. The hotel also features a gorgeous spa, a rooftop pool with sweeping views of the city, and a restaurant serving delicious French-influenced Brazilian cuisine. Overall, the hotel is one of the sexiest in Rio, and is steeped in history to boot. See more incredible photos after the jump or read our full review now»

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