This is a spacious top-floor penthouse, but what truly makes it exceptional is the enormous terrace. The view of Sugarloaf Mountain and Botafogo Bay is nearly perfect. With no floor above or building directly in front, you get an uninterrupted sense of the mountains, sea, sky, drifting clouds, birdsong, and the rhythm of the city all coming together like a three-dimensional symphony. We spent long stretches of time simply sitting on the terrace, taking in the atmosphere of Rio. It is the kind of view that genuinely changes how you experience the city. On the same floor, there is also a shared area that was almost always empty and offers a very clear view of Christ the Redeemer. Without even leaving the building, you can enjoy some of Rio’s most iconic scenery. The building has 24-hour doormen and felt very secure. Right downstairs there is an inexpensive but very good restaurant that stays open late, so it was almost always available whenever we want a bite. A small supermarket and a barbershop are also just a few steps away. There is even a self-service mini-market on the same floor of the building, with surprisingly reasonable prices. Inside the apartment, the washing machine and air conditioning worked very well. Uber pickup and drop-off downstairs were easy, check-in was smooth, and the host was responsive. Overall, this property has something that is very difficult to replace: the terrace, the views, the convenience, and the feeling of being completely immersed in Rio without even leaving home.

Nothing.