World Famous Copacabana Palace in Rio Reopens After Lockdown

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Weekend prices for August in the hotel’s online reservation system ranged from less than $300 to $1,653 a night.

The hotel is offering four packages, including a 30-hour stay, “perfect for anyone seeking rest and tranquility in the city.”

A symbol of a city known for its breathtaking beauty, sultry nights and bossa nova beats, the Copacabana Palace has hosted the likes of Rita Hayworth, Brigitte Bardot, Mick Jagger, Princess Diana and Madonna.

The reopening comes amid uncertainty over when and how Rio and Brazil — the country hit second-hardest by COVID-19 after the United States — will return to normal life.

Precautions for the reopening include “social distancing in high-traffic areas, such as the pool and restaurants”, the hotel’s owners, the Belmond group, said in a statement.

The country has registered nearly 3.5 million infections and more than 111,000 deaths in the pandemic.

Rio has already announced it is seeking a new format for its traditional New Year’s Eve party, which usually draws millions of revelers to Copacabana beach for a fireworks show.

The city’s world-famous Carnaval, held in February, also is at risk of being canceled.

More: Brazil news in English, every day from The Rio Times.