It was a great pleasure staying in Roberto's apartment. On my first time in Rio I wished to experience more than a tourist's view of the city and this apartment delivered with being a beautiful space in a safe location close to markets, restaurants, and beaches, and in addition providing a unique way to be introduced to a favela. I enjoyed the upstairs bed and bath, appreciated the separate well-ventilated laundry room, and especially liked being able to prepare and serve a meal for 7 in the well equipped kitchen and dining room. The favela is pretty much as described in the reviews - even on the 18th floor the apartment windows look directly out into it, and it can be very loud weekend nights, but I kept the windows and blinds open the entire time and very much enjoyed the sense of life that it brought into the apartment. Be aware that there is no balcony and almost the entire view is of the favela, but it is possible when standing near the windows to also see a pleasant ocean view off to the side in the distance.