The apartment is perfectly located between Ipanema and Copacabana and has many shops, bars and restaurants close by. It is also very conveniently situated next to a metro stop and bus stops are just a short walk away.
The neighbourhood feels safe and there are doormen downstairs the majority of the time to let you in and out.
We were informed by Isabel a few days before arrival that her sister Claudia would be showing us into the apartment. When we arrived Claudia was there and didn't spend too much time showing us everything, perfect for two tired travellers!
Our communication with Claudia was great. When a light stopped working in the bathroom she was more than happy to get an electrician out the next day (we declined the offer as it was not a problem for us). However, we had absolutely no communication with Isabel during our 2 and a half month stay. This was a bit disconcerting when we chose this apartment for it having a verified user, we therefore don't imagine we would never see them and would communicate exclusively with someone who was not verified on airbnb.
The apartment has changed since the photos were taken. A very large wardrobe has been fitted which takes up the entire wall facing the bed and the free standing wardrobe has been moved to beside the bed. The apartment therefore feels smaller, less airy and stylish than its airbnb pictures. While this isn't a problem, it would be nice to see a true representation of the apartment before making your reservation.
Overall, we have really loved our stay in Rio and we do feel as if the location of the apartment really added to the enjoyment of the trip.