Cristina was a brilliant host. She gave us tips on where to visit. Invited me to a BBQ that turned into a house party. Was responsive and generous with her time. She may have started as a host but I ended my trip with a new Brazilian friend.
The flat is lush and frankly the pics don't really do it justice. It's bright airy though it little on the small side, space enough for three if not four people comfortably. What a lovely place to spend an evening with a bottle of wine.
Some things to take note of. Cristina has a few cats which I love but just in case you have allergies. She generally keeps them in her flat downstairs and in the courtyard area, but they tend to be quite inquisitive. Also the area while brilliantly situated in the centre of town can get a little noisy on a Friday night, but not sure you are really going to find anywhere quiet in Rio at the weekend before carnival.
So would I stay again? Hell yeah. In fact can't think of a reason why I would choose to stay anywhere else in. Booking a trip to Rio it would be difficult to go wrong staying here.