Stayed at Mercedes' place for 3 nights over July 4th weekend. I have to say it is in the perfect location in Ipanema (in Rio really), right by the park where the art fair runs on Sun and where the metro stop is. And don't get me started about the view from the rooftop which is so sick (amazing) of the beach and the lagoon and mountains. I had to work a bit and sat up there whilst watching the waves roll in. It is also a block from the beach between posts 8 and 9, kinda away from the craziness a little further down (though not so far if you like that sort of thing). There are an abundance of restaurants, bars, supermarkets, stores and just about anything you will need in a very safe neighborhood. Mercedes herself is an amazing gracious, flexible host and she provided me with every bit of courtesy from early check in, late check out, converters for my US plugs, iron & ironing board and a lot of tips on where to go and what to do. I would highly recommend her and her place and cant wait to go back for more