Antonio was the perfect host: always available to help with anything, eager to take guests to cool places to dance and hear music around the neighborhood, and, generally, friendly and engaging.

The house and room are as described, and the kitchen (though cluttered) has all the pots, pans and other accoutrements needed to prepare meals. There are a wide array of shampoo options in the bathroom, and Antonio provides each guest with a bar of soap. There's always fresh coffee available for guests, and the two cats are both very sweet.

The neighborhood is not polished, and those unused to big cities may feel a bit of culture shock. That said, we didn't feel "in danger" walking around (general rule of thumb in Rio, even in the most touristy places, is to avoid flashing expensive jewelry and electronics; same logic applies in Antonio's neighborhood). Moreover, Antonio's place is incredibly safe: there are a number of gates, etc. which prevent unwanted guests from getting close to the house itself.

Overall, this is a great choice for relaxed, budget-minded travelers.