My friend and i stayed with Axel over Carnivale this year and can honestly say that our experience wouldn't have been nearly as good if we had stayed somewhere more commercial! Axel was so helpful and friendly, offering us fresh juice and coffee in the morning, taking us to a brilliant Bloco as well as arranging tickets for the Sambadrome, and of course the view is just incredible! We loved seeing Rio but were always happy to come back and relax on the balcony with the million dollar view! The only thing that could have been improved was that at the time there was hot water in only one shower, but seeing as it was so hot this didn't seem like a big issue. I would happily recommend this place to anyone who wants to stay in a gorgeous, charismatic part of town (Sta Teresa) and who wants a more alternative experience of Rio.
We will definitely be back!