Stayed at Luiz's place for several months while studying Portuguese. I would write in Portuguese but I don't want to make you laugh and cry at the same time. Anyway, I kept extending my stay here because I liked the apartment. Great value, location, amenities, and host support. You will be treated well, don't worry about that. Some details ...
Apartment design: The apartment is small but efficient, well lit, and nicely decorated. There is always a security guard on duty and the area is relatively safe. The bed is large and comfortable. The kitchen was used frequently and everything worked well. The appliances are large and modern. Everything appears new. The bathroom is large with two showers. It doesn't get any better than this. There is a main air conditioner which works well to keep things cool. There is also a ceiling fan so plenty of options to be comfortable here. The apartment also manages to accommodate a small workspace desk and chair. The internet is solid and the TV has cable and streaming options.
About the location: You have the best of both worlds here because you are one block from a nice section of Copacabana and 5-10 minutes walking to Ipanema. There is a Zonal Sul Supermarket next door and banks across the street. There are also restaurants and bars in this area. The water is calmer here than any of the other beaches. So you can always walk one block and have a nice experience. Or you can walk to Leme or Arpoador and see beautiful sunsets. I'm not sure which option is better so why not try both.
Host support: Luiz and Sebastian were always available to assist and answer any questions. Whenever there was a problem or issue it got resolved quickly. Communications were excellent and I got the feeling they truly care about their guests. I would definitely stay here again.