We stayed with Eider for 2 days and had the BEST time! First of all, the apartment's location is perfect. It's a few blocks to the beach, the cross street has a ton of restaurants and stores, and it's very easily walkable to Ipanema or Copacabana. The area feels very safe - as two young women traveling alone, we never felt uncomfortable.
The best part about this apartment, though, is Eider! He is friendly, hysterically funny, and very welcoming - and he has the best tips about where to go and where to eat. He has been in this neighborhood forever and so it's great to have someone who really knows the local spots. On our last day Eider took us on a hike to a waterfall close by that was something of a local secret up in the hills behind the botanical gardens. We never would have been able to discover that on our own. It was very special. Thank you, Eider, for being such a wonderful host!