Dinogo Readers' Top 10 City Hotels in Central and South America for 2023

Readers of Dinogo hold their accommodation choices to high standards, seeking more than just luxurious details like high thread counts and plush linens. They desire a deep connection to local history, vibrant traditions, and an abundance of adventure, as reflected in this year's selection of the finest city hotels in Central and South America.

How the Voting Process Works

Annually, for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their travel experiences worldwide, offering insights on top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. This year, nearly 165,000 T+L readers participated in the 2023 survey, marking a nearly 25 percent increase from pre-pandemic voting. Over 685,000 votes were cast across more than 8,500 distinct properties (including hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, or safari lodges based on their locations and amenities, and they were rated according to the following criteria:

Rooms and facilities
Location
Service quality
Cuisine
Overall value

Respondents could rate each attribute as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores reflect the average of these ratings.

Highlights from Readers

Among readers' top city hotels in Central and South America, three are located in Cusco, the Peruvian city nestled in the Andes that was once the heart of the Incan empire. (Today, it often serves as a gateway to adventures in the Sacred Valley.) The top hotel in this city is No. 2 Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel. One voter remarked, “We loved the spa and restaurant, and our room with a pool view was stunning and spacious.” Another notable spot is the boutique Casa Gangotena in Ecuador's capital, Quito (No. 4). Many travelers praised its prime location in the historic center, along with the lobby's exquisite design and the exceptional on-site dining.

In addition to Cusco, the only other city with multiple hotels on this year's list is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The first is the iconic Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel (No. 8), which boasts stunning views of the famous beach. One guest described it as “gorgeous, classic, and timeless.” The second is this year’s top-rated property, a cosmopolitan gem located in one of the city’s most renowned neighborhoods.

Continue reading to discover which hotels were chosen as the top favorites by our readers in Central and South America.

The Champion

Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

An infinity pool offering breathtaking views of the ocean framed by distant mountains.

Photo courtesy of Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro

One reader exclaimed, “This fantastic hotel boasts the finest location and design.” Indeed, this chic, 89-room gem by Philippe Starck sits in a prime spot on the iconic Ipanema Beach, offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The rooftop pool is the ultimate social hub in Rio, perfect for lounging or mingling at the bar. When it’s time to unwind indoors, the Bossa Nova-inspired rooms provide a sumptuous retreat, featuring marble bathrooms and mid-century furnishings in soft, beachy hues.