Location, location, location - pefectly located in center of Ipanema, couple blocks away from the beach, close to the fancy restaurants and stores, the undergrand station is five/ten minute walk away and the gay street is only couple of blocks away. The neighborhood is seems safe but this is still a very big city so one should be careful at all times. This "studio" (as American's would call it) is on the ground floor but it did not bother me. I am definitely going to try to stay here next time I am in Rio.