The hosts, were very kind and responsive, helped us with recommendations. Also, when we shared an issue we experienced with cockroaches (coming from the block communal areas), they explained it was the first time, but since the situation has repeated throughout the time we’ve been there, it became a nasty problem. The apartment was clean, so the issue was probably due to humidity or other residents’ behaviour. For us, considering the almost double fee per night (due to NYE) it was an unpleasant circumstance - but we understood this is not in the host power to solve it. Another complicated aspect with the apartment is the lack of natural light, since the bedroom window is facing an internal part of the block (therefore you cannot know what kind of weather is outside).
Overall, kind hosts, good location, close to both Copacabana and Ipanema, small, without natural light, but probably during the non festive season, a good deal.