Designed by the late Niemeyer in the late 1960s and completed in 1972, the 33-storey Hotel Nacional overlooks the beach from the city's São Conrado neighbourhood.

Cylindrical in form, the tower boasts panoramic views out to sea. It features a 3,000-square-meter lobby, and 2,500-square-metre gardens designed by Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. A huge sculpture of a mermaid by Brazilian artist Alfredo Ceschiatti is also located on the site.

The hotel was originally owned by banker Artur Falk, but eventually went bust. It received its final guests in 1995.

During its period of dereliction, the building was stripped of its fixtures and fittings, and vandalised. ... It has now been revitalised and reopened as a five-star hotel run by Meliá Hotels International.... Following a soft launch, all 413 rooms are expected to open on 15 January 2017. A restaurant, bar, and spa will open in February, with a convention centre to be opened in March. The hotel also has its own helipad.