Rio de Janeiro - Hotels & Apartments

[Priint]

I sent this BM a PM in December but I haven't heard back as well.

I will post here if I find anything.

Thank you so much. I have found a few interesting apartments closer to Leme but haven't booked yet.

[Erectus Indicus]

Hello, any chance you could share the listing details? Planning my first trip in March!

I sent this BM a PM in December but I haven't heard back as well.

I will post here if I find anything.

[Erectus Indicus]

Before the days of everyone having a smartphone in their hand, there would be tutes in Bobby's internet cafe emailing their foreign boyfriends. As soon as they were done with their email, you could invite them for a caipirinha while they waited for their stupid boyfriend to send them money. LOL.

So even if I didn't do a lot business with his establishment, Bobby did provide a lot of services in his day to some people. I just thought he was a hustler (meant in a complimentary way) that provided services that I didn't need or could find elsewhere for less.

There were a couple guys who didn't invest in anything at all. No storefront, no website. They would just pick-up tourists up at the airport, find them an apartment to stay, and prop up their sorry asses at Meia Pataca and Terrazzo Atlantica. Later in the night, they would "guide" them into Help and around the other Rio sex venues.

I have actually seen this (garottas doing the emailing / chatting thing) in action when I went there. I generally changed money elsewhere (for example, another cambio on the same street) and never rented from him but on the last trip I went there to change money, he had police in the there as apparently his kid was caught doing some mischief and he was moaning about life being difficult already without his kid adding shit on top of it. IIRC also met his wife, on who appearance the kid stopped being defiant. Had a nice conversation and got out. I can see that the shop is still there on Google Street view.

I used to rent from Don (of Amerioca) before he closed shop. I went with him and another customer / friend of his to L'uomo shortly before it closed, good memories.

Speaking of which, I am looking for guest friendly AirBnBs. Planning a trip after 10 years in April-May this year. Thanks!

[WyattEarp]

I never did any business with him including money exchange because he never offered a good rate. At least not to me. I remember when his business got robbed (apparently twice) and he sent out a blast message to everyone he had an email for asking for money to survive. I didn't send any.

Before the days of everyone having a smartphone in their hand, there would be tutes in Bobby's internet cafe emailing their foreign boyfriends. As soon as they were done with their email, you could invite them for a caipirinha while they waited for their stupid boyfriend to send them money. LOL.

So even if I didn't do a lot business with his establishment, Bobby did provide a lot of services in his day to some people. I just thought he was a hustler (meant in a complimentary way) that provided services that I didn't need or could find elsewhere for less.

There were a couple guys who didn't invest in anything at all. No storefront, no website. They would just pick-up tourists up at the airport, find them an apartment to stay, and prop up their sorry asses at Meia Pataca and Terrazzo Atlantica. Later in the night, they would "guide" them into Help and around the other Rio sex venues.

[The Cane]

https://blameitonrio4travel.com/

I've seen him in recent years, he does a lot of money exchange now and has a laundry business. I actually had laundry done there once, just drop it off and come back it's all folded for you. I also changed money there once but I never rented an apartment from him in all these years and now with Airbnb the business has changed.

I never did any business with him including money exchange because he never offered a good rate. At least not to me. I remember when his business got robbed (apparently twice) and he sent out a blast message to everyone he had an email for asking for money to survive. I didn't send any.

[WyattEarp]

https://blameitonrio4travel.com/

I've seen him in recent years, he does a lot of money exchange now and has a laundry business. I actually had laundry done there once, just drop it off and come back it's all folded for you. I also changed money there once but I never rented an apartment from him in all these years and now with Airbnb the business has changed.

So has Bobby recovered from the "robbery" a few years back? I had suspected his traveler service business contracted. It's too easy and too competitive finding everything on the internet.

Money exchange and laundry are physical businesses.

[Rio Bob]

Whatever happened to that Bobby guy that had that travel agency. He still around.

https://blameitonrio4travel.com/

I've seen him in recent years, he does a lot of money exchange now and has a laundry business. I actually had laundry done there once, just drop it off and come back it's all folded for you. I also changed money there once but I never rented an apartment from him in all these years and now with Airbnb the business has changed. I also spoke to a woman recently who I used to rent apartments from for many years she told me all her apartments are on Airbnb now so its an easy fix for these guys, yes they have more competition now which is a good thing but most of those apartments from back in the day are probably on Airbnb now.

This guy has a website of his apartments and they're all on Airbnb. Www.mzapartments.com.br

[Priint]

Appreciate the advice from you guys that responded. I was going to go with the hotel pestana but the reviews were up and down. I ended up finding a beautiful airbnb near the hotel Emiliano. All modern and updated unit. W / doorman and guest friendly. Will definitely report back on this spot once I complete my stay. In Copa by the way.

Hello, any chance you could share the listing details? Planning my first trip in March!

[TjBrazil]

I used Kenn in the 2000's. Good guy, decent apartments, some with ocean views, etc.

He gets mentioned from time to time here, but unfortunately I think AirBnB and VRBO have replaced the Kenns of the world.

Whatever happened to that Bobby guy that had that travel agency. He still around.

[Heimel]

Hi! I read on this forum several times about the Atlantico Tower hotel in the Centro being girl friendly.

Can somebody confirm if this also applies to the Hotel Atlântico Business on Rua Senador Dantas, or to the Hotel OK next door?

If it's just an hour visit for a "massage", would I need to book a room for double occupancy or is it alright if I just book for myself?

Would it it be advisable if I meet my girl outside and go up with her, rather than ask her to go to my room?

Thank you!!

[MasterOfNone]

That's a good spot. Right on Copacabana Beach and about a 1/2 mile from Ipanema Beach.

Boa Fortuna!

Appreciate the confirmation! Looks like a relatively new listing and the unit has a gorgeous view of the Beach. Finding this spot has me even more excited for my first visit! Now to the other thread to find spots to visit LOL!

[WyattEarp]

Appreciate the advice from you guys that responded. I was going to go with the hotel pestana but the reviews were up and down. I ended up finding a beautiful airbnb near the hotel Emiliano. All modern and updated unit. W / doorman and guest friendly. Will definitely report back on this spot once I complete my stay. In Copa by the way.

That's a good spot. Right on Copacabana Beach and about a 1/2 mile from Ipanema Beach.

Boa Fortuna!

[MasterOfNone]

Appreciate the advice from you guys that responded. I was going to go with the hotel pestana but the reviews were up and down. I ended up finding a beautiful airbnb near the hotel Emiliano. All modern and updated unit. W / doorman and guest friendly. Will definitely report back on this spot once I complete my stay. In Copa by the way.

[WyattEarp]

Hey guys! Just wanted to circle back on my previous post. First time in Rio this December. Will be there for 2 weeks.

Would appreciate any input on whether to stay in Impanema or Copa.

Also solo travel. Would you recommend Hotel or Airbnb?

You can't go wrong with either Ipanema or Copacabana.

Here's something to consider. If you like to be near the bars with action, stay down at the North side of Copacabana. Since I don't walk much at night in Rio, staying nearby offers me no particular advantage since I'm typically taking an Uber anyway.

Since I like both Ipanema beach and Copacabana beach, I have found staying near the point of the V shape between Copa and Ipa to be a good area. I can easily drop into either beach and walk around either neighborhood (daytime). Ipanema is a nicer neighborhood place than Copacabana. The nice civilian area Leblon is also closer.

[Libertine212]

Hey guys! Just wanted to circle back on my previous post. First time in Rio this December. Will be there for 2 weeks.

Would appreciate any input on whether to stay in Impanema or Copa.

Also solo travel. Would you recommend Hotel or Airbnb?

Thank you in advance. Look forward to reporting my trip back.

Seems like Pestana in Copa is the best bet from what I've been reading. Ideal location and confirmed GF. If you have the budget to splurge on the Ocean Suite it has a huge balcony overlooking the beach.