OVERVIEW
Experiencing Rio from your own penthouse can take you one step closer to living like a well-heeled local. A couple of blocks back from Ipanema's beachfront, we've found a penthouse flat which will make you feel the part. Reached by its own private lift, there's a refreshing touch of 70s funk to this pad. Yes, there's a bar and cowhide rugs in the large open-plan living area. There's also a rooftop pool, sauna and terrace where you get great sunset views of Rio's twin peaks (Dois Irmãos). But what we loved were the long white sofas and chrome clad archways leading you through to its own music-mixing den. It's hard not to picture some late night sessions here.
As for décor, Italian marble floors take the heat out of the day and bright white walls are hung with covetable paintings by local artist, Ana Amélia Metsavaht (of Osklen fame). Its 3 bedrooms are simple, stylish and slick: their windows look out to walls of tropical foliage or through a circular opening into a bathroom where you'll find some novel lighting gadgetry. Good for parties or a base for small families. There's even a maid to do your laundry and make your breakfast.
HIGHS- Groovy 70s decor
- The location - in the heart of Ipanema with easy access to beach and shopping districts
- Cool roof top terrace and small pool
- Great sunset views of Rio's twin peaks
- Maid service for laundry and breakfast
- All mod cons - air-con, cable TV, DVD, CD player and WiFi internet connection
LOWS
- No sea view - 2 bedrooms have no views but the 3rd single bedroom looks out to hills behind
- No bathtubs (as is common in Brazil) but bathrooms do come with showers
- Towels and linen could do with replacing (promised asap)
- This part of Ipanema is closer to Copacabana rather than the smarter Leblon end
ROOMS
The double bedrooms, both with queen size beds, are sleek and uncluttered. Both look out onto tropical plants. There are also some interesting quirks: one bedroom has a circular window (pictured above) which looks through to the shower room lit by a cool blue spotlight. The other bedroom has just a couple of abstract paintings hanging above the bed but gets the cable TV. The 3rd bedroom, behind the kitchen and slightly smaller in size, benefits from a view to the hills behind and a fab open sky bathroom. While the living areas have a 70s feel, the bathrooms have been given 21st-century makeovers - stand alone sinks, mosaic tiling, power showers and waffle bathrobes.
Bedrooms have air-con. Beds are made each day and you get fresh towels too. Sheets are changed every 2 days.
EATING
You get a maid who comes in the morning around 8am to make your breakfast. This typically involves cheese, ham, jams, bread and pastries, coffee, fruit salad as well as omelettes if required. If you wish, you can also ask her to cook you a simple lunch such as chicken and rice with salad. For lunch requests, you'll need to instruct her each morning so brush up on your Portuguese as she won't speak much English. Meals are taken on the swanky glass top table in the separate dining area - just beside the bar.
Other than that you'll be left up to your own devices. There's a kitchen with microwave if you wish to DIY and a supermarket round the corner to stock upon provisions. Being in the heart of Ipanema, there are some good restaurants to try, including a nearby traditional churrascaria. For something more contemporary and Italian try Gero, Rua Anibal de Mendonça, Ipanema, + 21 2239 8158.
ACTIVITIES- Lounge by the Pool: Cool down in your own rooftop pool then lounge on the terrace with views across Ipanema.
- Hang out in a 70s mixing den: while away your time in this metal clad snuggery and TV room.
- Beaches: You're a just short walk from Ipanema beach with Copacabana to the left and Lebon to the right (essentially an extension of Ipanema). Both are packed with Rio's beautiful young things (particularly between Postas 9 and 10) playing ball games, posing, flirting and surfing. Deckchairs and umbrellas can be hired on the beach.
- Dine out and party in some of the great bars and restaurants in Leblon or Ipanema. For Rio's hottest nightlife try Lapa, a slightly edgy district about a 20-minute taxi ride away. Saturday night at Rio Scenarium and Carioca de Gema for live samba and forro are still excellent.
- Shopping: Some of Rio's best shops are found on Rua Prudente de Morais and Rua Visconde de Piraja. For convenience, take a taxi to the Rio Sul shopping mall, near Copacabana for the best selection of skimpy bikinis, shoes, t-shirts at rock bottom prices. On Sunday's check out the hippy market in Ipanema.
- Sights: For the best views take the train up the Corcovado mountain, on top of which stands the iconic 30m high statue of Christ the Redeemer. Another must is the cable car trip to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain.
FEATURES
- 3 bedrooms, 3 shower rooms
- Large open plan living-dining-bar area
- Cosy TV room
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Rooftop terrace with small pool, loungers and table and chairs with views across Ipanema and Rio's Dois Irmãos
- Sauna (accessed from terrace)
- Daily maid service to make your bed and breakfast with other meals on request
- WiFi internet connection
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FEATURES
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Phone |
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TV |
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CD |
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Video/DVD |
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Internet in Room |
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Safe Box |
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Breakfast |
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Cooking Facilities |
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Fridge |
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Washing Machine |
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Microwave |
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Outdoor Pool |
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Maid Service |
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Laundry Service |
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Babysitting |
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Airport Transfer |
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ACTIVITIES
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Music |
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Nightlife |
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Shopping/Markets |
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Sun and Sea |
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Getting there
