London-based Yoo Design Studio has created plant-filled interiors for Rio de Janeiro's Yoo2 hotel, which opened last month ahead of the city's Olympic games (+ slideshow).

The Yoo brand – a residential and hotel group founded by property developer John Hitchcox and designer Philippe Starck – has opened the first location of its new spinoff brand Yoo2.

The hotel is housed in an existing structure that was previously occupied by the foreign embassies of various countries.

The conversion was led by Brazilian architect Sergio Gattass, while Yoo's in-house design studio worked on the building's interiors, including the common areas, lobby, terrace and rooms. The team collaborated with Brazilian designer Melina Romano to "tropicalise" the guest spaces.

"My concern from the beginning was to bring in the environment and contemporary sophistication, plus a touch of Brazilian-ness," said the designer.

Bright colours and wooden furniture and detailing characterise the interior spaces. In many areas of the hotel, the designer used vivid patterned tiles on floor or wall surfaces.

Romano curated a selection of Brazilian furniture for the interiors. The lobby features a chandelier created by local designer Ana Neute that was created specifically for the hotel.

In the restaurant, guests sit on chairs designed by Brazilian studio Fernando Jaeger. Live plants are distributed within the space to provide visitors with a more tropical feel.

Yoo included hourglass-shaped bedside tables in each bedroom, which are available for guests to purchase and bring home.

These were produced by local furniture company Tissot Móveis.

The hotel is centrally located in the trendy neighbourhood of Botafogo.

From the rooftop lounge, guests can enjoy views of Guanabara Bay and Rio's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.

A variety of projects have completed in the city in the run up to the 2016 Olympics.

Along with the large-scale venues, smaller buildings and interiors including an office building by Richard Meier and a maritime-inspired pavilion by Henning Larsen Architects have also been finished in time for the games.

Photography is by Denílson Machado.