We stayed here for 12 nights in June 2016 and had an amazing time. The apartment was as described, clean, bright, spacious and fitted with everything you need for a week or two in Rio.

Location wise, it is situated in the heart of Lapa, minutes away from many bars and restaurants and just above a supermarket. It takes about 30-40 minutes on the metro/bus to get to Copacabana/Ipanema, so may not be ideal for those wanting a beach holiday, but we enjoyed staying out of the tourist area and seeing a more authentic and 'real' Rio. The prices of food and drink were also a lot more affordable here compared to Copacabana. The tourist sights such as Christ, Sugarloaf and the beaches will have to be reached by public transport or taxi, but Lapa is a great place to stay whilst you visit these things.

It can get noisy outside at night, but the a/c drowns most of that out so it shouldn't be a problem.

The apartment itself was very homely! Felt like a home away from home, much nicer than a hotel room. The kitchen is small, but well equipped and big enough for everything that you will need during your stay. The 'lounge' area is spacious and bright and has a great view of Lapa and the cathedral. The bedroom is also spacious, with a large wardrobe and desk. The bed was very comfortable, and ensured a great nights sleep. We felt very safe in the building with the 24hr doorman, and also felt safe in the area in general.

Dejanira was a great host- She was very friendly, informative and easy to contact. She provided lots of maps and leaflets, and during our stay she kept us updated with events happening in the area. I would definitely recommend staying in her apartment if you want a great place to stay in Rio de Janeiro.