Louri & Renato's home is an open water swimmer's paradise. 2 blocks from Copacabana beach where I counted 4 triathlon clubs are set up daily at 7am for coached and organized swims. Over the 21 days I was there, I only missed 2 early morning swims. The convenience of this studio to Posto 5 on Copacabana beach is perfect for swimmers and triathletes.

And now about this extraordinary home and hosts...

As this was a work trip for me, I needed to find my routine quickly: morning swims, daily commute to downtown (Centro), evening runs, and quiet/restful sleep. The street, Rua Saint Roman, is a unique blend with local feel from the Pavão-Pavãozinho community, easy beach-access to Copacabana and a nearby metro to downtown. Convenient "por kilo" restaurants nearby (favorite: Frontera), grocery & health food stores (Zona Sul & Mundo Verdes), easy walking distance to Ipanema and beyond, and laundry services (Wash/Clean nearby though it's impossible to get 24-hour turnaround like we do in NYC).

Louri & Renato created an oasis in the middle of this bustling town. Always available to answer my questions or guide me to the right spot, I felt as if I had my own concierge service 24 hours a day. On the last day of my 3-week stay, everyone in the house, including Puma & Duma the Italian greyhounds, were outside chatting, watching Renato wash the cars and meeting some of their local friends. I love these kinds of places where I'm made to feel like part of the home and community.

I feel like I can now call Caixa Preta home when I'm in Rio.