Rio de Janeiro - Hotels & Apartments

[Sunset Strip]

I normally use Ronaldo, too. I have never been let down. The bathroom in the last apartment I had was not all that good but usually the places are sparkling. The first time I used him he put me in an apartment over Mondego restaurant. it is at the corner of Atlantic and Constante Ramos. The place belonged to an old Brazilian movie star. It was great with lots of paintings and sculptures.

I will post some pictures of the apartments I have rented from him in a few days.


TJ

[Carlos Primeros]

Hi FMH 100

here is the e-mail address of Rio Apartments:

www.rioapartments.com.br
Cell 8111 4519
Cell 8821 1315

Please contact Sr. Antao

The apartment is on Av.NS de Copacabana 4 blocks away from Help. ( 3 minutes to walk)

Carlos

[The Watcher]

Does anybody rent from or have info. about Ronaldo, a Brazilian guy who rents apartments? He usually hangs out around Mabs.
TJ

I have known Ronaldo for a long time. I have rented from him on several occasions. I have friends who have rented from him. In fact, one friend just returned Sunday from Rio and he rented a one bedroom apartment from Ronaldo. He liked the apartment so much that I just might rent it for myself on my next trip. Normally, I stay in a hotel when I travel alone and stay in an apartment when I have a roommate or roommates; however, I might try the one bedroom apartment on my next trip

My friends and I have all had positive experiences with Ronaldo. I highly recommend him.

However, with Ronaldo or any other agent, I do not pay a deposit in advance on any apartment. I arrive in Rio, check into a hotel for a day (unless it is an apartment I have rented before), then go look at apartments. I would advise you to do the same thing.

[Rio Bob]

I believe that 50% of total cost is a lot of money for a deposit especially if it is non refundable. Anything could happen, something can come up and you can loose a lot of money. I prefer to pay one days rent only and send it by Pay pal, that is how my agent does it. One time I had to just change my dates and the new dates were open so I didn't loose my deposit but if I had to cancel I probably would and loosing 1 days rent is not so bad.

Oh and by the way my agent is Gringo Management.

Never really had a problem with him.

He is there to make money but he wants your business so you have to negotiate, Everybody has to come out with something.

[Sunset Strip]

Does anybody rent from or have info. about Ronaldo, a Brazilian guy who rents apartments? He usually hangs out around Mabs.

TJ

[Fhm100]

We had now some quite bad reports about Gringo Management but it is now time to report also positive things.

When I arrived in Rio I called Rio Appartments - if they have a luxury apartment available. (Before I had some e-mail correspondence with them - they had been asking 30 % of the rent as deposit and I did not want to do that).

Anyhow - they said YES and we met at their apartment just behind the Austrian Consulate at NS de Copa. The apartment is exactly as shown on their internet-side in walking distance to all the attractions. Well equipped and clean with 24 hours security.

I paid for the rent - they waved the security-deposit which was also showing me that these people are serious.

If you do not like an appartment but want a grilf-friendly hotel, try Hotel Ibiza Copacabana, it is at Rua Belfort Roxo 250 - very close to MABs and to Balcony. If you book direct they charge you at present time for a single room 160 Real. I think that this is a good price for a good hotel.

Happy mongering

Carlos

Carlos,

Can you pls post the phone #, name of the person that you contacted? Is this apt in rio? and how close from the beach and Help?

[Fhm100]

All too often on this forum, posters will make statements about things like apartments, air fare, hotels without giving any specifics like a company or even better yet a web site.

If your intent is to share information and help fellow posters, then please provide details which would allow us to duplicate your experience. For example, just below Fhm100 asks for some information and is specific about an air fare hotel deal but does not say where he got it.

My bad. The package air/hotel, I got it from www.traveland.com. You can even chat w/ them to ask any question right there on the website.

I haven't booked this package yet. I'm trying to do this on my own to see if I can save some $. However, there are so many things that I have to read about apt/hotel, especially the apt. It's been overwhelming

Somebody reviews the Rio Roiss, no guest charge only with double. So I sent them an email, here is what I got back. I thought the tax rate is only 5% NOT 15%.

"We have rooms available from august 15th/06 to august 24th/06
The daily rate for dbl stanadard is R$ 250,00 + 15%taxes with discount = R$ 190,00 +15% taxes
Breakfast included and payment at Hotel.
Please, send us a message to confirm the reservation untill july 25th/06
We have transportation from airport to hotel, rate is R$ 70,00, payment to the driver.
Inform the correct time, date, name and number of flight to confirm it.

Thanks a lot,

Edmara Luz "

Right now my plan is to book 1-2 night in a hotel. Then check out the apartments that have been mentioned from the forum. If I like what I see and the rate is good, then I'll check out, otherwise I'll just stay there for another 5 days

[Exec Talent]

All too often on this forum, posters will make statements about things like apartments, air fare, hotels without giving any specifics like a company or even better yet a web site.

If your intent is to share information and help fellow posters, then please provide details which would allow us to duplicate your experience. For example, just below Fhm100 asks for some information and is specific about an air fare hotel deal but does not say where he got it.

[Exec Talent]

I asked Dieine about deposits and she explained why they are necessary. Apartments generally are owned by Brazilians who offer them through many brokers. When you make a deposit, it takes the apartment off the market when the deposit money is given to the owner. This guarantees the availability of the apartment for you. The deposit later acts as security that you will not damage the apartment and if you do, the money is used to pay for those damages.

The deposit would not be necessary if everyone did what they said they would do. Unfortunately, Dieine has told me of times when she did not get a deposit and had to pay herself when clients did not show up as promised. The owners still expect to be paid. I have known many times in Rio where 3 guys rent an apartment and only one shows up. If there had been no deposit, you can bet that that one guy would be staying in a hotel leaving the apartment rental company with some rent to pay.

[Fhm100]

I did a search for info about this hotel, Olinda Othon, in this forum but couldn't find anything.

Is the Olinda guest friendly? do they charge to bring the guest up?

This 5nights tour includes airfare/hotel for 1,349. With this price, can I expect a good room?

Thanks.

[Shanghai Noon #2]

I used to stay at the Hotel Atlantico based on recommendation from my friends. I haven't been to Rio for awhile and was wondering if any fellow mongers have any recent experiences there worth mentioning. I think when I last stayed there 2 years ago it was only about 200$R for a suite/night. The Hotel had great location since it was only 5 minutes walk from Luomo.

[Carlos Primeros]

We had now some quite bad reports about Gringo Management but it is now time to report also positive things.

When I arrived in Rio I called Rio Appartments - if they have a luxury apartment available. (Before I had some e-mail correspondence with them - they had been asking 30 % of the rent as deposit and I did not want to do that).
Anyhow - they said YES and we met at their apartment just behind the Austrian Consulate at NS de Copa. The apartment is exactly as shown on their internet-side in walking distance to all the attractions. Well equipped and clean with 24 hours security.
I paid for the rent - they waved the security-deposit which was also showing me that these people are serious.

If you do not like an appartment but want a grilf-friendly hotel, try Hotel Ibiza Copacabana, it is at Rua Belfort Roxo 250 - very close to MABs and to Balcony. If you book direct they charge you at present time for a single room 160 Real. I think that this is a good price for a good hotel.

Happy mongering

Carlos

[Papa Wahala]

Just returned from 17 days in Rio and Bahia and wanted to share my thoughts on renting an apartment in Rio.

I contracted the services of Gringo Management for the use of a one BR apt at $45/day for ten days on Rua Miguel Lemos which is just across the street from HELP.

Upon my arrival, I was placed in a different apt from the one I chose on Gringo Management's web site. The apartment was on the second floor and included a decent size fridge, DVD player, cable TV with CNN access. The bathroom was very small and could not accommodate two people at once. I also did not have hot water during the entire time and had to get use to taking cold showers.

Security doorman and cameras monitoring the lobby and elevators provided a secure atmosphere.

Upon my return from Bahia, I was placed in the correct apt which was on the 9th floor and provided a panoramic view of Copacana beach. I preferred this apartment over the one on the second floor but was disappointed that it did not come with DVD player as listed on the web site. I did have hot water this time around but had to contend with street noise, particularly when folks are leaving HELP at 3-5 am.

In sum, there were small challenges but overall I would recommend Gringo Management apts in large measure to the location. I was able to access the beach, Atlantic Ave restaurants, HELP, drug and grocery stores, cambinos and tourist companies within a ten to fifteen minute walk.

For $450, I feel I got a pretty good deal.

PW

[Trippleecks]

To Rio Video......

Something does not sound right... a 5 bedroom ocean front penthouse for 9 guys for 9 days??? Where will the other 4 guys sleep??? a tour guide and all the rest for $1500.US?

[Sunset Strip]

"Check out a couple of deals with some agencies out there 5 gatas R$600 for 2 hours divided by 5 guys might as well get two ...huh..."

I have been to Rio, as you all know, and I am sure that the agency is not listing group rates.

Also, you paid $1500 for what appears to be 7 full days. You should arrive on Sept.2 and you will leave on the 9th. The flight itself can be had at around $700 and it costs no more than R$60 or $30 from to the airport.

That means you are paying around $700 for the apartment or $100 US per night for a shared bedroom!

Most of the agencies we normally list on this site can get you your own luxury apartment for $100 or even less.

If you can I think you and your buddies should cancel this trip, by tickets from some of the sites we recommend on this website and then each get your own apartments.

You can still get VIP treatment at the clubs anyway. And there are plenty of tourist agencies in Rio that can take you to clubs.

And in the end most girls at those types of clubs are really not there to meet gringos in for only a week.

This is not a putdown post but it seems your agent took advantage of your lack of knowledge about Rio. Trust me, Rio is not really enjoyed when you have somebody leading your hand taking you places. It is best to get there and do it on your own.
Trust me, ALL of us get VIP treatment in Rio anyway because we are RIIIIICH gringos. So why pay some guy who promises you will get what you will get anyway.

I honestly think you should cancel that deal and just do it on your own. And if you want a pool, then perhaps some of your friends should get a hotel room at a fancy hotel, while the rest get apartments. Then you can just visit them at the hotel and they can still use your apartment to screw girls! But in the end paying $100 US a night for a shared bedroom is too much.

TJ