By far one of the coolest apartments (not just on airbnb) I have ever been to. A gigantic collection of books and movies, along with cool decorations. If Ernest Hemingway had been a Carioca, this is what his apartment would look like :)

Celia was great. I booked this apartment the day before I needed it, and only for a 2 day stay. She met me there when I arrived, and went over everything. I've been to Rio a lot so I know my way around, but if this is your first trip, this is the host to point you in the right direction. I didn't really need anything from her during the stay, but she is in the same building and was responsive to all messages. Check out was a breeze and she got the contact info of my Brazilian friend in case I forgot anything. Really went the extra mile (or kilometer haha)

As she says in the listing, the building itself is from the 70s. Compared to US standards, all apartment buildings in Zona Sul seem outdated and this one is no exception. The building and apartment have quirks which obviously come with the territory. Elevators are slow and you have to walk a few steps. There were some issues with the AC working in the living room but it was a temporary problem that I'm sure future renters won't have. Nothing negative or deal-breaking, but if you are the type that expects new, modern, and pristine, this isn't the place for you. If you like vintage and eccentric, this is definitely the place. There is also a giant outdoor patio. Rio is meant to be explored but I will admit my days got started later than normal as I enjoyed laying around so much. And when it was raining outside, being cooped up in here was perfection. Kitchen has about every single cooking implement imaginable, preparing a meal here would be easy.

The doormen were great and even during my short stay, the ones I hadn't met asked for my name. Celia gives you a list of their names also, and its obvious these are real doormen, not the standard fare of guys sitting there watching tv. Location is great and is a couple of blocks away from grocery stores, restaurants etc, not to mention Copacabana and Ipanema 2 blocks in either direction. There are tons of apartments on airbnb that have similar looks and pricing. If you want something unique for a great price, I highly recommend this apartment and host!