Weekly top five of five -- Latin America hotel roundup

(AFP /VANDERLEI ALMEIDA)

This week, a look at the most popular hotels in five South American cities - Buenos Aires, Rio de Janiero, Santiago, São Paulo and Bogotá.

Next week, thousands of revelers will flock to Rio de Janeiro's famous Copacabana beach to celebrate the Rio Carnival, one of the most famous shows on the planet. Throughout February, special activities and parades pack the beach including the Samba School Parade, a collection of the best Samba schools in the world.

Tourism in Latin America overall is booming. Between 1995 and 2007, the area experienced a rise in arrivals from a rise in tourist arrivals from 14.3 million to 27.9 million (about 49 % growth), and even throughout the recession, Latin America has fared fairly well by global standards. According to the UN, visitor numbers fell by 3 percent between 2008-2009, considerably less than the percentages for North America (6 percent) or Northern Europe (8 percent). This year, the UN World Tourism Organisation expects even more of a boost.

Latin America's Most Popular Hotels

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Only one chain appears in the top five Buenos Aires hotels, and it holds top place. The Howard Johnson Hotel Boutique Recoleta was praised for its breakfast and amazing location in a leafy area of Argentina's capital.

1. Howard Johnson Hotel Boutique Recoleta
2. Hotel Raco de Buenos Aires
3. Mine Hotel Boutique
4. The Glu Hotel
5. Lola House

Average Price of Top Five $156 (€111)

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Four of five star luxury dominates the list of Rio's top hotels. The legendary 216-room 5-star Copacabana Palace actually takes second spot on the list, following the 4-star Porto Bay Rio internacional. Guests here praised the view from the top floor rooms and the proximity to Copacabana beach, home of the famous carnival.

1. Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel
2. Copacabana Palace
3. Sofitel Rio de Janeiro
4. Martinique Copa Hotel
5. Hotel Santa Teresa

Average Price of Top Five $388 (€277)

Santiago, Chile

The compact Meridiano Sur took top place as Santiago's best hotel, with 93 percent of tourists who stayed there recommending it. Boutique competitor Hotel Orly took second place, just ahead of the San Cristobel Tower, a 139-room luxury Starwood property that towers over the city.

1. Meridiano Sur
2. Hotel Orly
3. San Cristobal Tower
4. Radisson Plaza Santiago Hotel
5. Hotel Rio Bidasoa

Average Price of Top Five $188 (€134)

São Paulo, Brazil

Brazil's largest city is a luxury hotspot, with prices to match. The average price of the top five here was the second highest of the list, with brand names Hilton and Grand Hyatt appearing in the four and five-star dominated list. The contemporary boutique Emiliano Hotel, however, takes top spot, with travelers praising its heated toilet seats, allocated butler service and view over the city's skyscrapers.

1. Emiliano Hotel
2. Hilton Morumbi São Paulo
3. Fasano Hotel
4. Grand Hyatt São Paulo
5. Blue Tree Towers Paulista

Average Price of Top Five $384 (€274)

Bogotá, Colombia

Described as a "bright spot" in Bogotá, Hotel Casa Deco was recommended by an impressive 100 percent of its customers. Guests praised the friendly staff and attentive owner, pushing it to first place over three other chains.

1. Hotel Casa Deco
2. Embassy Suites Hotel Bogotá-Rosales
3. BogotáMarriott Hotel
4. Hamilton Court
5. Hotel Pavilion Suites

Average Price of Top Five $161 (€115)

Data is taken from millions of independent reviews and rankings surveyed at TripAdvisor taken at 10 AM GMT on February 3, 2010.

Website: http://www.tripadvisor.com