Denise is WONDERFUL and her home is beautiful. My room and bathroom were well decorated, extremely tidy, and charming. I found the location to be very convenient for walking to the beach, shops, and restaurants. It was also very close to bus lines and taxis were abundant. As a woman traveling alone, I specifically looked for a female host with excellent reviews, and must say Denise did not disappoint! She was very informative, helpful, and very kind. She will say otherwise, but her English is excellent, which was a bonus for me. I would highly recommend Denise and her lovely place in Ipanema.