Staying in Rio for Xmas 2013 & Reveillon 2014 we could not have chosen a better place.
Walking up Rua Santo Amaro from the Gloria metro station to the refuge of Marcello and his family gives everyday a wonderful impression of the authentic neighborhood of Santa Teresa. We felt all the time really safe, even walking at the evening trough the pacified (ex-)favela to Lapa. Rather feeling like a Carioca then a tourist when living there we highly recommend to treat yourself with a stay at Marcello`s home. The complete package of a charming and helpful host, a nice accommodation and a remarkable place to stay will leave you like us with the strong desire to come back.
100% recommendable.
Best wishes for Marcello and his family.
And best wishes to subsequent visitors of Rio, that they might be so lucky to find this host´s to have a wonderful time in the Cidade maravilhosa...