6 Best Hotels in Brasilia, Brasilia and the West

This is your chance to stay in an effortless modernist masterpiece, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, which reopened in 2006 after a top-to-bottom renovation supervised by Niemeyer himself. The first hotel built in Brasília, this simple rectangular structure exudes tranquillity and seems to shimmer in its lakeside setting. Two wall-size panels by Athos Bulcão adorn the lobby. The common areas are the epitome of 1960s chic. In 2014, the Palace hosted the Brazilian soccer team during their ill-fated World Cup campaign.

Originally owned by descendants of Brasília's founding father, Juscelino Kubistchek, this hotel is decorated with some of his own antiques. Rooms have modern decor, with pastel color schemes and wood accents. The Diamantina restaurant has a varied menu that includes some of the President's favorite dishes from Minas Gerais State.

This property, with an enviable location on the Eixo Monumental, is adjacent to the Brasil XXI convention center and just steps from the Parque da Cidade, so you often see guests heading out to enjoy the park. Catering to business travelers, the hotel has sleek rooms that are comfortable enough for longer stays, and some rooms have excellent views. The hotel has made a commitment to going green, and one floor is made entirely of wood from sustainable forestry, although these rooms cost more.

President Obama's choice when he came to Brasília in 2011, this swank hotel has a prime location next to the official residence of the president of Brazil, which has made it a firm favorite for visiting politicians and diplomats. Lesser mortals will be wowed by the dramatic lobby and the stunning setting on the edge of Paranoá Lake, although standard rooms do not come with a view and are surprisingly drab, especially given the hotel's gaudy red facade. Golden Tulip took over management in 2009, and some guests prefer the Golden Tulip Brasília Alvorada, on the same site, where rooms are brighter and less expensive.