Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro set to open in Leblon

Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro has been officially announced, marking the luxury hospitality group’s return to Brazil through a major beachfront development in the city’s Leblon neighbourhood.

The project, developed in partnership with Brazilian real estate asset management firm Catuaí Asset, will see the former Hotel Marina Palace undergo a full transformation ahead of its planned reopening in 2029. The announcement signals a renewed focus on South America for the brand, as well as a significant shift for one of Rio de Janeiro’s most recognisable coastal buildings.

A landmark return to Brazil

Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro represents the brand’s first project in Brazil since the closure of its previous São Paulo property more than a decade ago. The new hotel forms part of Four Seasons’ broader strategy to expand selectively across South America, joining established properties in Buenos Aires, Bogotá and Cartagena, with additional openings planned in the coming years.

Leblon as a strategic setting

Located along one of Rio de Janeiro’s most sought-after beachfront stretches, Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro will occupy the tallest building in Leblon. The area is widely regarded as one of the city’s most affluent neighbourhoods, known for its residential character, established dining scene and direct access to the Atlantic coastline.

The property’s position places it within easy reach of Ipanema, Lagoa and the broader South Zone, while remaining distinct from the higher-density hotel clusters found elsewhere in the city. Ongoing public and private investment in Leblon’s infrastructure and lifestyle offering has further elevated its appeal, reinforcing the rationale behind selecting the neighbourhood for the brand’s return.

Reimagining the Marina Palace

Before reopening as Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro, the existing Hotel Marina Palace structure will undergo a comprehensive renovation. The project will retain the building’s original footprint while reworking both its façade and interiors to align with contemporary hospitality standards.

According to Catuaí Asset, the aim is to preserve the site’s historical relevance while adapting it for long-term use as a modern luxury hotel. Alfredo Khouri Junior, founding partner of Catuaí Asset, described the project as an opportunity to extend the life of a familiar Rio landmark through a globally recognised hospitality framework.

The redevelopment is expected to prioritise longevity and functionality, with design decisions shaped around ocean views, natural light and spatial efficiency rather than visual excess.

Rio’s wider cultural context

The opening of Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro arrives at a time when the city continues to assert its cultural and architectural relevance on the global stage. Rio de Janeiro was named UNESCO’s first World Capital of Architecture and remains home to Christ the Redeemer, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Beyond its natural setting, the city offers a dense calendar of cultural events, established nightlife districts and a beach culture that continues to shape daily life. The introduction of a Four Seasons property into this environment reflects a measured response to international demand rather than an attempt to reposition the destination itself.

Connectivity and regional portfolio

See also
International
Where the world’s elite spend New Year’s Eve

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RUME (@the.rume)

Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro will be located approximately 30 minutes by car from Galeão International Airport, offering relatively direct access for international travellers. The hotel will join the brand’s growing South American portfolio, which includes Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá, Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogotá, and the forthcoming Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena, scheduled to open in 2026.

Together, these projects reflect a gradual but deliberate expansion across key urban and resort destinations in the region, with Rio de Janeiro positioned as a cornerstone of that strategy when the hotel opens in 2029.