The worst Airbnb I have stayed in, although technically, I did not stay as I left the 1st night. Booked a 9 night stay in Copacabana (Arpoador) at this lovely looking apartment. Communication with host was good. Arrived with 3 suitcases and my confirmation of my booking, doorman was not willing to let me in and left me standing on the street, in the rain with all my belongings for all to see / rob. I don't know why as there is a fenced area inside the compound before you get into the building. A little officious.
The apartment itself was ok, not brilliant but ok. I had a load of work to do and went on with my work on the high-speed internet. Had dinner then went to go to bed around 22:00. This is where the issue begins.
The NOISE from the street is so loud it is as though you are sleeping in an alleyway alongside Ave. Nossa Senhora. You can not only hear motorbikes, cars, buses, trucks you can actually hear people talking too. I genuinely thought the windows must be broken as I've never heard so much noise in a room. I went to the other 2 bedrooms but they all face the same road, so I had no option but to leave and find a hotel.
I messaged the host and of course, it is non-refundable as "no one has complained about this before". In fact, there are other reviews stating the noise is terrible. I involved Airbnb but they were worse than useless in their help citing "ill fitting windows aren't a reason for dispute". So, I am now over £1000.00 out of pocket and am staying somewhere else, in Rio, with windows that actually work.
I've been coming to Rio de Janeiro for over a decade, I stayed here for 8 months in 2021 in a variety of places. Some of them on Avendia Atlantica, some of them on busy streets and never have I had to check out of any of them. Conservatively I estimate I've stayed in 20 other apartments in Rio and am currently looking for my own place here, this will be the last time I use Airbnb as their customer service is woeful.
The hosts were not impolite but neither did they particularly care, she met me on arrival and wanted away as quickly as she could showing me nothing in the apartment. If you value sleep, which I believe everyone does, I would under NO circumstances stay in this apartment unless you can sleep with noise cancelling headphones in. (I did try this but was unsuccessful)
Stayed one afternoon, left, found somewhere else and got charged £1083.00 for it. Incredible.