The thrill of Rio de Janeiro is a physical one. Drama is built into the landscape, with Sugarloaf Mountain rearing up behind the Atlantic coastline, and the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer surveying the scene. Right on Copacabana beach, the Copacabana Palace is South America's most famous hotel and has welcomed the rich and famous since 1923. The Copacabana Palace Hotel has undergone an extensive discreet refurbishment program, which was designed to retain and enhance the hotel's position as South America's premiere hotel. A new method of illuminating the facade was introduced in 1990 and allows the hotel to shine as brightly by night as it does by the day. By the end of 1991, the hotel's pool area which houses one of the city's largest and most attractive swimming pools was fully renovated. Today, the Hotel occupies an area of over 12.000 square meters of some of the most expensive and sought after real estate in Brazil. From 1991 to 1995 the Tower Building and the Main Building were completely renovated and modernized and a new Executive floor (5th floor), which holds 225 rooms and suites and the 6th floor with 7 Penthouse suites were added to the hotel. The Copacabana Palace offers comfort and great facilities. The Mediterranean-style building is imposing and elegant - an architectural classic. In its attention to details, and its overall atmoshpere, the Copacabana Palace represents a classic marriage of Latin and European styles.