Celebrating 100 Years of Celebration
by Pamela Tailor | December 2023
A CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE: COPACABANA PALACE CELEBRATES ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY.
As a Brazilian born in Rio de Janeiro, it’s highly unlikely not to be familiar with the prestigious Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Hotel, or as we affectionately call it, the ‘Copa’. Also known as the ‘Hotel of the Stars’, the ‘Copa’ has a long history of hosting Hollywood stars and famous personalities such as Brigitte Bardot, Walt Disney and Albert Einstein. The ‘Copa’ is not just a hotel; it is a stage for spectacular celebrations! On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Copa, I had the honor of exploring this iconic establishment under the guidance of Belmond’s Communication Manager for Brazil, Cassiano Vitorino.
ICONIC FRENCH ACTRESS AND MODEL BRIGITTE BARDOT AT THE COPACABANA PALACE, 1964. SOURCE: BELMOND.
THE COPACABANA PALACE HOTEL PHOTOGRAPHED IN ITS OPENING YEAR, 1923.
JORGE GUINLE WELCOMES CARMEN MIRANDA AND WALT DISNEY, TWO OF THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS GUESTS AT THE COPA, 1943.
Cassiano explained that the hotel was originally conceived as part of the celebrations of the centenary of Brazil’s independence. Inspired by two glamorous hotels on the Côte d’Azur – the Carlton in Cannes and the Negresco in Nice – the ‘Copa’ welcomed its first guests in 1923. Inaugurated later than planned but embracing a strong pioneering spirit, the ‘Copa’ set the stage for a long-lasting era of luxury in Rio. Moreover, it played a central role in establishing ‘Rio de Janeiro’ as a global brand. It also greatly influenced the shift of the vibrant city life, which had long been concentrated in the city center, to the coastal shores of Rio. It is worth noting that during that epoch, swimming in the sea was not yet deeply embedded in our culture. One might even wonder: did Copacabana precede the ‘Copa’, or was it the Copacabana Palace that crafted the image of this iconic neighborhood?
THE ICONIC POOL OF THE HOTEL HAS BEEN RENOVATED BY THE ARCHITECT IVAN REZENDE. THE NEW INSTAGRAMMABLE LOOK COMBINES THE NOSTALGIA OF THE PAST WITH A CONTEMPORARY TOUCH. A UNIQUE PRINT OF TROPICAL FOLIAGE HAS BEEN EXCLUSIVELY DEVELOPED FOR THE VISUAL IDENTITY OF THE POOL. SOURCE: BELMOND.
PHOTO BY MAURO SAMAGAIO
The celebratory spirit was born when the ‘Copa’ still had its own casino. The walls of the Golden Room witnessed performances by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Édith Piaf – just to name a few. Today, the ‘Copa’ hosts one of the most desirable and cult Carnival Balls in the world, where the black-tie official dress code feels like an understatement compared to the full-glam creations that adorn the guests. The ‘Copa’ is equally famous for its magical annual New Years’ Eve party. The hotel was a pioneer in creating the first major fireworks show on Copacabana beach. What began on a smaller scale has evolved into one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks shows in the world. Following a Brazilian tradition, guests wear white, seamlessly blending in with the hotel’s pearl-white façade as well as with the white attire of all those celebrating on the beach.
A CELEBRATORY TRADITION THAT STARTED WITH THE COPA: THE HOTEL HOSTED THE FIRST NEW YEAR'S EVE FIREWORKS SHOW AT COPACABANA BEACH. SOURCE: BELMOND.
FOR THE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS, THE 'COPA' FAÇADE HAS BEEN REJUVENATED TO ENSURE THAT THE HOTEL’S BEAUTY CAN BE APPREACIATED EVEN DURING THE NIGHT.
A MAGICAL GALA DINNER MARKS THE CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE HOTEL. SOURCE: BELMOND
Did Copacabana precede the ‘Copa’, or was it the Copacabana Palace that crafted the image of this iconic neighborhood?
A series of events and a special visual identity were developed for the centenary celebrations of the hotel. A gala dinner featuring a gastronomic experience curated by the hotel's Executive Chef, Nello Cassese, marked the occasion. The menu was presented on a porcelain line created in collaboration with Tania Bulhões, Founder and Creative Director of a prestigious Brazilian luxury home- ware and perfumery brand, which shares her name. The dinnerware combined a touch of the Brazilian spirit with the classic French Toile de Jouy pattern, portraying typical Rio de Janeiro scenes, including the Corcovado, the Copacabana boardwalk, and of course the beloved ‘Copa’. After the dinner, guests were guided to the Golden Room where a tower of Moët & Chandon champagne glasses awaited to toast the centenary, accompanied by the soulful sounds of Gilberto Gil.
IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE CENTENARY OF THE COPA, THE HOTEL COLLABORATED WITH TANIA BULHÕES TO DESIGN A SPECIAL DINNERWARE SET, COMBINING BRAZILIAN AND FRENCH AESTHETICS AND PORTRAYING TYPICAL RIO DE JANEIRO SCENES. SOURCE: TANIA BULHÕES
Only on New Year’s Eve
1200 champagne bottles are being popped in a single night.
Apropos champagne… at the ‘Copa’, roughly thousand champagne bottles are savored each and every month. Only on New Year’s Eve, 1200 champagne bottles are being popped in a single night. Walking through the hotel, we see guests indulging in a majestic Dom Pérignon experience at the Michelin-Star restaurant Cipriani or enjoying a glass of sunny Veuve Clicquot by the most desired swimming pool in Rio. Copacabana Palace is a place where every day is a celebration. Long live the ‘Copa’!
AS PART OF THE SOLAIRE WEEKEND AND THE CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE HOTEL, VEUVE CLICQUOT CREATED A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE ARROW GIFT PACK, DISPLAYING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE COPA AND REIMS, CHAMPAGNE. SOURCE: BELMOND
- This article has been published on the Edition 208 of the Creativ Verpacken Magazine -
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