Brazil - Copacabana Palace in Rio closed for the first time in 97 years

The Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, where heads of state, royalty, film and music stars, as well as internationally renowned entrepreneurs, have stayed in its rooms, closes its doors for the first time in 97 years due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The luxury hotel is expected to reopen in late May. Next Monday, the last guests will have to leave the premises. Only two residents can remain inside: Andrea Natal, general manager of the Belmond do Brasil group, which manages the space; and singer Jorge Ben Jor, who has been living there since 2018.
Inaugurated in 1923 and acquired in September 1989 by the Orient-Express Group, the Copacabana Palace is a true institution in the Brazilian city, the pride of the most famous beach in the world. A masterpiece of Art Deco, the elegant five-star hotel is considered the most iconic hotel in South America and a favorite golden refuge of celebrities.
In an interview with the newspaper O Globo, the CEO Natal said he had started to notice some unusual situations already last month.
"Our employment forecast for March was 70% and we closed the month with 36%. We had started well, but by mid-month, when global tourism began to suffer most from the crisis, with numerous flight cancellations, the drop was sharp. "
According to the Brazilian Hotel Association, at least 60 other hotels have stopped operating in Rio, including Fasano, another luxury hotel.
Natal also revealed that the closing period may prove to be a moment of reflection. "The idea is not to reopen the doors with the hotel exactly as it was."