I wholeheartedly recommend staying in this apartment, especially if you are traveling alone and are on a tight budget but do not want to stay in a hostel. For starters, Maria was the most gracious and welcoming host and simply amazing! I stayed here for 10 nights and was extremely pleased with the accommodations and the location. The apartment has everything you need: storage, stove, sink, refrigerator, washing machine. I was so surprised to even find that there was an iron and ironing board! Maria even provided toiletries and basic food items. I could not have asked for anything more. The building itself is located in a secured area with a security gate. A woman traveling alone, I was worried about safety in Rio. I felt totally safe walking by myself in the surrounding neighborhood of the apartment. You are right by several reasonably priced restaurants, a grocery store, bus stops and ATM machines. You can walk to the Lagoa, Jardim Botanico and Parque Lage, but will need to catch a bus or cab to the beaches. Or, you can rent a bike for very cheap and ride to the beach. Accommodations can be quite pricey, so I was happy to find a location that I could afford and that fit my 10-night budget. If ever go to Rio again, I would without hesitation contact Maria and stay right here!