Perfect Villa for our Rio Wedding

Guest: Norm G. (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 05/26/11 Review Submitted: 07/07/11

We rented the Villa from May 26 to June 5, 2011, for our wedding. We had 50 guests from the United States coming to Rio and we rented several properties. This property is an exceptional property and provides the best comfort in my opinion. In comparison, our Honeymoon night was spent in one of the penthouse suites at the Copacabana Palace ($R 7,200 per night), and the only difference between the Copacabana Palace and the Villa is the service is far superior at the Villa. I contacted the owner via email and was able to meet with him in person at his office in New York. This was the first great experience with this property. The owner is a very gregarious, cheerful, and genuine person. He explained the property; showed us pictures & floorplans, and offered to help with any other needs. The Villa is tucked away on a private dead-end street. The street is gated off and is essentially free of any traffic. The Villa is the standout property on this little street and is elegantly lit by a single gas-fired lamp. The Villa is about three blocks from Post 3 on Copacabana Beach (5 minute walk), across the street from the Metro Stop, and on the major busline. Complimentary WiFi throughout the property and a provided laptop helped us to plan events and stay in touch. The entry uses a coded lock system so we never had to worry about losing a key or being locked out. The kitchen is a fully-loaded spacious room with all the high-end appliances a chef could desire. (Viking range, subzero fridge) We held a rehearsal dinner Feijoada for 70 people with ease. We wanted to serve beer for the dinner and a staff member arranged for a complete draft system to be delivered. (Keg, Refrigerator, taps, cups, and coasters) We had 15 people (including 2 kids) comfortably stay at the Villa. We converted the library into another bedroom to help out with space. Each day we were greeted by a full breakfast spread made up of fruit, breads, pastries, eggs, yogurt, juice, coffee, tea, chocolate milk, etc. The staff varied the breakfast and treated us to first-class meals each day. (the stuffed French toast is amazing!) Each day at least three staff members arrived early in the morning to quietly make breakfast, clean, water the plants, do laundry, etc. The staff provided excellent customer service. If we had any questions or needs, there was a staff person available to take care of it. I was extremely impressed by the service and care taken with this property.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

The Copacabana Villa that won our hearts

Guest: laura sewell
Date of Stay: 07/18/11 Review Submitted: 01/28/12

We ended up staying at the villa after the Chilean volcanic ash storm canceled all flights to and from Argentina. We had planned a trip to BA / Mendoza around the Marathon in Rio, but decided to "make the best of it" in Rio! There were quite a few of us, but the concierge at our Ipanema hotel knew the perfect spot. He had been to a wedding in the villa the day before the Marathon, and suggested our group look into renting there. He walked us over on his lunch hour to meet the owner, who was on his way back to NYC. The villa is a quirky and totally charming mansion, one of a kind no matter how you look at it. It's virtually impossible to sum up the experience because it is so unlike any other hotel or rental house anyone in our group has ever seen. The place feels like it is from another century, but it's just a few years old, with all the modern conveniences - including a rooftop pool! Every room is magnificently detailed with furniture, art, lighting - yet it is so hip and homey, and the staff is as warm as the house. Most of the bedrooms are suites with beautiful baths, linens, sitting areas. The oriental rugs, marble, stone, woodwork and furniture would make you think a family has lived here for generations. The wood-paneled library and native wood floors are the most beautiful I have ever seen. The kitchen is so 2012 Williams Sonoma and does not lack a thing -- if you feel like cooking. If you don't, the super ladies make the greatest breakfast, complete with homemade waffles and fresh fruit salad, and the houseman runs a great BBQ. They are young, vibrant and fill the great house with joy. Since our extra time there was unplanned, the owner went out of his way to sit down with us and share his favorite things to do there. We left having fallen in love with the city, the staff, and this incredible house. I doubt we would have seen 3/4 of the sights if not for his knowledge of the real Rio. To sum it up - Copacabana won our hearts. Our Cesar Park 5 star digs could not compare to this secret little gem. I have never seen a subway station so clean and beautiful as the one across the street. We were a 5 minute walk from the beach, with a great antiquing area right around the corner. We loved the local Polish restaurant, the seafood antipasto bar, the outdoor farmers market a block away, and the real life feel of Copa as opposed to the Miami beach blah of Ipanema. Ask the staff to help you plan your trip and you will not regret it

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Our GRRRRRREAT Rio Vacation

Guest: steve p.
Date of Stay: 12/26/11 Review Submitted: 01/13/12

There were 9 of us in our group. We were picked up promptly at the airport and driven to the property. The house is located on a narrow street and is very unassuming looking from the outside. The inside is beautiful and very clean. However, we all come from middle class families and were not at all intimidated by the decor. We were about a 5-7 minute walk from the beach and in a very nice neighborhood. Anything you need: restaurants, bars, Monday Night football groceries, liquor, bakeries, clothes, getting your hair done is absolutely right there at your fingertips. The greatest part of the vacation was the service at the house. We had virtually every meal - breakfast every day - dinner every day - sometimes lunch although we were usually out - cooked to our specifications for 9 healthy adult eaters. We paid for the food, and the total for 7 days for 9 people was under 1,000 Americal dollars. The salmon, the chicken, the macaroni, the carrots, the deserts were literally to die for. It was the best week of eating we ever had!!! We ate healthy and cheaply and never had to worry much about restaurant food. Our rooms were cleaned and the beds made for us every day. We were not allowed to use the washer and dryer (what a shame!) as our dirty clothes were washed and dried for us daily as well. All we had to do was to bring the clothes to the laundry room. We were there for New Year's Eve...Do not miss going on the beach with the other 2 million people and celebrating with the natives. It is safe and something you will NEVER forget. I have nothing negative to say about anything on this vacation. Sincerely, Steve Paster

Owner response:Because this delightful family is from New Orleans and I lived in the French Quarter during grad school there - I got very involved with the menu planning (and with some of the eating). But I want to clarify some of the rave reviews about the food in the villa. Basically - groups there on the Christmas package and the Carnival package get breakfast with the rental. This is not the case the other 50 weeks of the year But meals in the villa are a very good buy as prices have gone up so much in Rio. We recommend our favorite restaurants for a few nights out of a weeks stay that give the flavor of the real Rio de Janeiro. But for families who love to sit down as a group and enjoy the villa - eating in is a great experience. We have a enthusiastic cook who is there Mon to Fri and for a modest fee + the cost of groceries will surely please people who love home cooking. There is also a breakfast cook who does great waffles, pancakes, eggs to complement the bakery goods from our local favorite shop. The same holds true for breakast - a modest fee for the cook + you buy the groceries. It makes it economical for the family or the large group and allows you to stay in and really enjoy the great dining room. We aim to please and work hard to develop menus that your group will like. You are also welcome to ask us for great spots and local markets to shop at so you can cook for yourself and we do the cleanup. All weddings and corporate meeting meals are doen by our house staff usually assisted by a sous chef or two.

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The Villa and staff were excellent

Guest: Mari D.
Date of Stay: 01/05/12 Review Submitted: 01/09/12

The villa and staff were excellent, breakfasts were delicious and so very decoratively done. The staff at the house is very accomodating and took great care of us. We had a total of eleven people, nine adults and two youngsters, one is four and the other 20 months. They both enjoyed the house and made good use of the swimming pool. We used the staff for dinner and it was delicious. We have relatives in Rio so we were not in need of the touring van and only used it for the ride to the airport the driver was very accomodating and helpful. You asked for any difficulties, the only one that we found was with the door to the loft bedroom, it was very difficult to get open easily. I am not sure if it can be remedied but that was the one hiccup that we had. All in all we enjoyed Rio and your lovely villa and would be happy to recommend it to any of our friends. The area was secure and we felt very safe. Shopping for groceries was close and there is a 24 hour Pao de Asuca about three blocks from the villa. I even used the Vogue Beauty Shop and they were very nice there. Thank you again for affording us the opportunity to stay in your villa and enjoy the sights and sounds of Rio. Mary

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The best customer service from Michael Iott

Guest: Jennifer B. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 10/18/11 Review Submitted: 10/28/11

Many owners stay away from the renters - and nobody gets to know each other. Michael Iott is so much different. From the planning phase all the way to my sister's actual birthday celebration he was a part of it. In fact his extreme warmth and generosity blew the five of us away when he offered, and made her favorite cake - German Chocolate and then dinner. Can you imagine whole Brazilian redfish, filet mignon, rice in lobster broth, roasted white and green asparagus, and sauteed green beans? Indeed! The villa is in a very accessible location - steps away from the buses, one block from the subway, and three blocks from the beach. The staff was extremely pleasant, coming in at 8a each morning to clean and prepare breakfast. That schedule was problematic because slow starts to our mornings could not happen when the plants are being watered and with the staff wandering around. Rua Sequiera Campos at the corner, had the supermarkets, the drug stores, other shopping, and the coveted red ATM denoting a bank that allowed international transactions. This street also took us directly to the beach, three blocks going past interesting restaurants, the butcher, a hardware store, and other community staples. Each restaurant recommended by Michael and Jonatas, the manager, were exceptional - Arab on Avenida Atlantica, Espirito Santas in Santa Teresa, Rascals in Leblon, and Carretao in Ipanema. Shopping was fun - especially at Ipanema's Hippie Fair and in Leblon's new 5-story mall. We toured Christ the Redeemer and Maracana and treked from Copacabana to Ipanema to Leblon. The biggest caution, and I'm sure you'll hear it from several sources, is to be extremely careful with bags and purses and cameras. Never let your guard down - we did and were mugged on the beach about 7p. The police are not very helpful - neither the "regular" city police or the special tourist police. In spite of that incident we all had a wonderful time, will definitely return to Michael's villa, and will explore other regions of Brazil.

Owner response:I happened to be involved with this booking from the beginning and so was personally saddened to hear about the beach incident. We usually do a cake for all event bookings but in this case wanted to do something more positive to make the trip a success. Since I (the owner) enjoy menu planning and graduated from hotel restaurant school - it was kind of a fun project to put on the dinner. It was my intention to put it on the table while they were out touring and kind of dissapear since I want to make sure guests get total privacy. In this case however - they really were having fun and wanted me to stay. It was a treat for me as well. A couple of points come up here. We enjoy working with guests on making their trip the best possible stay in Rio and are very hands on in helping with planning and preparation. As soon as a guest books - they receive our welcome letter, pointers on packing, where to eat, where to shop, where to tour, and other suggestions. We are accessible 24/7 as is the concierge in RIo. However - we do want to give guests all the privacy they need (and I think less garden watering and fewer maids in the morning for people who want to start their day later). We meet and greet each party to help them with reservations, tours, transportation, menus etc. In this case - all was going so well that they let their guard down and walked on the empty beachfront after the crowd had left - never something that even residents do. There are many kiosks on the sidewalk waterfront and thanks to the new Israeli installed security cameras - the avenue beachfront is safe. The beach is so wide in Copacabana - that where the water meets the sand although appealing for a walk in the moonlight is never safe as it is quite far from the kiosk area. This was the first incident involving guests in just under 5 years. In the gated community of 15 homes were the villa is situated - no residents recall any crime in their memory. The villa is in the exact center of the busiest street in Copacabana where mostly local citizens live and shop and is know for its safety. Statistics show that crime in Rio has been dropping drastically but one must still avoid deserted areas. I am happy that this group is returning this Spring for another stay and one incident did not ruin their trip.

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Our stay at the Copa Palacio

Guest: Junia K.
Date of Stay: 10/01/11 Review Submitted: 10/23/11

We had a group of 10 people that went to Rio for 4 nights. We stayed at the Copa Palacio. The owner was very welcoming and friendly, and the staff were great too. The owner even bought a birthday cake for my mother-in-law, which was very nice of him. The villa is very beautiful, clean and well maintained. It has 3 very nice private suites on the second floor. On the third floor, there is 2 small bedroom with bunk beds that is great for teenagers or single guys/girls(more college age, i think) to stay. Also on the 3rd floor there is a separate spacious bedroom with a tv room and bathroom that can accommodate a couple with privacy or a family (parents and 2-3 children). The location is great! 3-4 blocks from copacabana with many restaurants and grocery story close by. The metro station was right there and bus stops were close by. The morning breakfast was wonderful!! The full kitchen made a big difference, so we could buy our own groceries for snacks etc.. I would recommend this villa for your family and friends! Sincerely, Junia

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Homestyle accomadations and more.

Guest: Jonathan G.
Date of Stay: 10/01/11 Review Submitted: 10/22/11

WOW!!! Beautiful and cozy place to stay in Rio. Safe, well maintained and great staff. Even met Mike while we were there. Awesome spread of breakfast each morning. Well located. Subway entrance within one block. Padaria, pizza buffet and other restaurants within 2 blocks. Most everything you need is within walking distance- beach, grocery, restaurants, pharmacy. Excellent choice for your stay in Rio de Janeiro. Would definitely stay here again. Our party of 10 throughly enjoyed our stay here.

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A Slice of Heaven!

Guest: Rick Sanchez (Spring Bluff, Georgia, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/11/11 Review Submitted: 06/17/11

Our stay at Dr. Michael's was one of extreme beauty, a slice of heaven indeed, with a wonderfully enjoyable walk to the beach. Dr. Michael was extremely easy, and delightful to work with, and was sure to stay in touch to make sure we were as comfortable as possible the entire trip. The staff at this oasis were also very pleasant, catering to our every need. There's no need to eat out when the food is this amazing! Every room in the house is perfectly decorated and organized and made us all feel like we were in a movie compared to our home back in Georgia. Thanks for everything Doctor!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

A BLAST IN BRAZIL

Guest: Eulalia (norms mom) (Gig Harbor, Washington)
Date of Stay: 05/26/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

I dont travel well but my son Norman was marrying a great girl. Their wedding was at the chapel of Christ Corvado - only a handful of weddings are performed there. The villa was centrally located to everything - beach, shops, other attractions. Our place to stay was fantastic - comfortable, safe, and secure. The staff was the best I ever met. The breakfast was outstanding. I was concerned about what the food would be like - who could pass up fresh fruits and juices, coffee, pastries, and waffles with real maple syrup - OUTSTANDING FRENCH TOAST !!!! Loved it all !! Thank you Dr. Mike for making our experience memorable. If you are ever in Seattle - come see us.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Luxury without Pretension

Guest: Nicole (Seattle Washington)
Date of Stay: 05/26/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

The villa is located in Copacabana neighborhood of Rio near the beach. Our room was comfortable and included a full bath. The staff were friendly and the service was EXCEPTIONAL. The breakfast is excellent, especially the delicious french toast. We always felt comfortable and welcome in the villa - so luxurious without being pretensious.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.