Near the presidential palace, this emblematic hotel is a marvelous spot for architecture fans. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1957, common spaces are a living midcentury modern treasury, with furniture and art by Niemeyer, Athos Bulcão and others around every turn, all shaded by an exterior blanketed with massive movable shutters. The whole experience screams: this is Brasília!
Rooms, set along astonishingly long and wide corridors, have light-wood furnishings and balconies. There's only a small difference between the superior and luxe categories, but the latter give you a better chance of lake views. Prices vary widely according to demand but it's often great value.
