This experience was outstanding! Myself and 12 friends stayed at the Villa for 10 days. Upon arrival, the staff greeted us after arranging a pick up from the airport. I was introduced to 2 'new' house managers Thiago and Rodrigo, as the Villa had just been placed under new management. In the first minutes of communication, they were professional, personal and eased/improved upon the original planning. Quickly, the full staff was introduced and the week began it's planning. We worked directly with Tereza, the chef, who is the kindest, sweetest person and creates the most delicious (and bountiful) meals. Her food is out-of-this-world and certainly recommended for anyone planning their trips. Laura and Erica were very sweet, kind and attentive, but respectful of space to be sure the house was tidy. Thiago and Rodrigo were responsive at any time if there was anything that required attention to the Villa. The team of 5 are incredible and they blended seamlessly into my group of friends, as we invited them to enjoy the time with us. They are a wonderful team of people and made our time in Rio unforgettable. The home is just lovely. It's in a private, safe, gated street in the Copacabana neighborhood. Very convenient to shops, restaurants and a short walk to the beach. The upstairs pool is small, but a nice option. The suites are all very nicely appointed, the 2 poolside cabanas are not as well appointed and have bunk beds. My friends were not interested in climbing the ladders to the upper bunks and Thiago and Rodrigo quickly made arrangements for us to 'expand' into the neighboring Cottage for a very reasonable fee. This offered everyone, who was not coupled, their own bedroom space and a great option for larger groups. The experience was more than I could have ever asked for. The house is nice, but the team who runs the home is PHENOMENAL. They will make your stay feel like you're visiting your Brazilian family. THANK YOU ALL! You made my birthday incredibly special. Michael

Our experience staying in the Villa exceeded expectation. We utilized all of the services offered, chef service, car service, guided tour of Rio etc. No complains. On time, Teresa the chef and her staff made the best meal daily (You can tell she loves what she does). Adan (House Manager) is definitely the nucleus that puts it all together. Well mannered, knowledgeable, every request is met with a smile, goes out of his way to please. I cannot say enough about this gentleman. I am planning another trip next year and will be staying in the same villa. Thanks Adan for a memorable time!

The Villa in Rio provided the ideal place for our UK family including children to stay in Rio for a family wedding. The property manager Adan and Tereza, without being intrusive, were always available to ensure everything went smoothly and to give us excellent local advice on all aspects of a stay in Rio. We availed ourselves of the excellent breakfast provided and also an evening meal where we invited a number of other friends staying locally in Rio. Tereza provides an excellent standard of catering which is very good value for money and being able to hand over some responsibility for cooking and shopping is great! The property itself is superb and more than lives up to its description. It is in a central location. The short walk to the beach and small roof top pool is a great help in keeping the children amused.

This property is an amazing place to stay in Rio. Its location cannot be beaten. It's just a three block walk to Copacabana beach. It's situated on the corner right across from the Siqueira Campos subway station, and taxis were plentiful on the area streets, making it easy to get to far-flung parts of town very easily. All of the major sights of the city were easily accessible to us. Christ the Redeemer, Pão de Açúcar, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and the nightlife of Rio Scenarium in Centro are all a short walk, cab, or train ride away. Within a block in any direction, you can find amazing restaurants, fantastic juice bars, grocery stores, and good shopping. The property itself is visually stunning, expansive, and a perfect home away from home. Each of the private bedrooms has a unique character, based on meticulous design, exquisite decor, and construction. The rooms are spread throughout the villa in such a way as to give privacy to members of even a large party renting the property. The villa's staff maintain the property in beautiful, immaculate condition. The villa is located on a private,locked walkway off the main street, making the property both safe and quiet. While just steps from the vibrant city, one feels secure and secluded while in the villa itself. I cannot imagine a better location from which to set out to see the sights of Rio de Janeiro. I would recommend this property to anyone looking to have the perfectly situated base for exploring all that there is to see there, and hope very much to have an opportunity to visit again!.

We have enjoyed your beautiful villa so much. It was such good luck to have found it. Thank you Adan, Michael, Christian and all your wonderful team for making our stay here so delightful. We have lovely memories now of a perfect holiday in Rio. Many many thanks!

Our group of 11 traveled to Rio to compete in a sporting event and stayed at the Villa after our event was over. Our only regret is we wish we could have stayed at the Villa longer! Most of our group had never traveled to Rio before so we were unfamiliar with the city. From the first time I spoke with Mike, the owner of the Villa, via phone, I knew we would be in good hands. Mike and his staff made sure we were completely taken care of before we even arrived at the Villa. Prior to our arrival, I communicated with Mike and his staff re: arranging ground transportation, sight seeing options, recommended restaurants, practical traveling tips in Rio, etc. No question was too troublesome. Upon our arrival in Rio, we stayed at a hotel closer to our sporting competition and arranged with Adan, the Villa's terrific full-time manager, to be picked up at the completion of the event. Big thanks to Adan for working w/our crazy schedule! Adan can arrange private and reliable ground transportation for Villa guests, and it was a relief for us to have someone handle this for us rather than deal with multiple taxi cabs for our large group. We were exhausted after our competition and arrived at the Villa ready to relax and unwind. Located on a quiet, gated side street, the Villa is literally a beautiful oasis in the hustle and bustle of Rio. The exterior of the Villa stands out amongst the other residences due to its warmly painted exterior and features. As soon as we stepped into the Villa, we were astounded by the beautiful architecture and furnishings. The photos of the villa are true to life! You can tell how much time Mike has put into designing the Villa, and Adan and the Villa staff have done an excellent job in maintaining it. Every morning we enjoyed a breakfast buffet with a variety of fruit juices, eggs, pancakes, fruit, etc. prepared by the Villa's staff. The rooftop pool was a welcome way for us to relax at the end of the day, and we spent a lot of time hanging out there, in the huge kitchen or relaxing in the open living room area after a day of sight seeing, walking around, or playing on the beach. Adan is at the Villa during the day and can answer questions, arrange sight seeing/transportation, or attend to any needs. The Villa is conveniently located in a mixed residential area and a few blocks from the beach. I would certainly go out of my way to stay at the Villa again, and I highly recommend it to anyone staying in Rio!

Absolutely the most fabulous home to stay in in Rio.The home is in a very safe neighborhood. The home is very warm and cozy and impeccably decorated. The pool on the top floor is small but still serves the purpose of cooling off in it and relaxing by it. Every detail is designed by the owner and has been known to decorated homes and offices in New York and England. The staff is fabulous and very helpful. There is laundry service and rooms cleaned every day. The breakfast is very diverse and delicious. You are in walking distance to shops and Copacabana Beach. Grocery stores and Delis are very close. The staff is very capable of providing tour services and transportation services. The tours we went on were fabulous and breathtaking. The restaurants we went to were wonderful. I would do this trip all over again and stay at the same place. If it asked for 10 stars I would give it a ten. I just can not say enough about about the whole experience.

Part 1 - We (a couple) stayed at the Villa for 3 nights in October (2013). Adan arranged for our evening pick up at the airport, and he emailed us enroute from the airport to the Villa to make sure we were safe and comfortable. After an unexpectedly short drive, we arrived at the Villa and our bags were carried upstairs to the main bedroom on the 2nd floor (the one with windows overlooking the street). The main bedroom was air-conditioned, had television (which we never watched) and a spacious ensuite marble and glass bathroom. The bathroom has a large Jacuzzi and sizeable separate walk in shower, and many lights and fixtures. Most appealing. Also, the water throughout the Villa is filtered, so you may feel safe drinking it. There’s also a comprehensive guide (kept in the kitchen) to the Villa and the environs that is of enormous assistance (for sight-seeing, restaurants, shopping etc), as well as extensive library geared to the Rio visitor. The Villa, though of fairly recent new construction, has the feeling of a lovingly restored and furnished country estate home, albeit one with tropical plants, parrots, and a rooftop swimming pool. The owner has decorated it in a variety of compatible styles, and it features rich and ornate French doors throughout, comfortable sofas and chairs covered in rich fabrics, a jaw-dropping crystal chandelier over a big dining room table, and a chef’s kitchen. The large kitchen has windows overlooking the street, three sinks, cabinets full of china, drawers filled with silverware, all modern and high-end appliances and several bar stools for countertop dining. One longed for a docent to guide us through the Villa and describe each of the varied objects of art and antique pieces, as well as all the many stone and architectural features of the house. The cook made our breakfast the first morning - delicious pastries and eggs. We had access at all times to the kitchen, and brought in some fresh juices, fruits and bottled water from a grocery store around the corner. Despite the hot weather during our stay, the Villa was always cool and welcoming. We didn’t use the roof pool because some renovations were underway, however the pool water temperature was inviting. They were completing an expanded pool deck while we visited, a deck that will hold loungers for sunbathing.

I am a Brazilian lawyer living in the USA and was on a visit exploring sites for my wedding in Rio August 2014 and to have" save the date" photos taken. Of my two weeks there - one weekend was at the villa. I noticed photos of a wedding in the villas web site and thought it might be a possibility. My stay there was nothing short of spectacular. It is more beautiful, cozy, and even more wonderful than pictures can demonstrate. The location is perfect as my local friends had the Metro Station Estacao directly across the street. Before we checked in, it was arranged for me to be a guest at a large reception there so I could see how the villa handles functions. Hands down - it was the best choice to make for wedding ceremony and dinner for next year. The food was incredible and the best I have sampled in Rio. There were a few appetizers including the villas hummus and many finger foods. The main course was a miso glazed bass or chicken coconut milk curry. The finest fish I have ever in my life tasted. A spectacular small pasta salad with apricots, pistachios, feta cheese and a very fine corn pudding. Two of the servers told me that the German chocolate cake is a house specialty. I have to acknowledge the marvelous staff whose energy makes the whole operation A+. It is kind of funny that one house worked so well for our little weekend stay that was only my fiancée and I and two bridesmaids. Yet at the same time it worked well for the big reception that I attended. Almost impossible for one place to be right on for both size groups yet they do it and do it so well. I want to give a special thanks to the owner, the concierge, and the kind women who took such good care of us. I noticed shortly after I returned to the USA that the villa was in the background of two different events whose photos were in O Globo - the Rio main newspaper. I have to say that I am not surprised. It is being discovered and that is well deserved. Quality like this is relatively rare in the Rio that I know especially considering the cost which I considered very reasonable. I could never imagine that such a house exists in a city I know so well. We can't wait for our dream wedding next year!

We had a terrific time and a lovely staff. The staff went out of their way and above and beyond to ensure that we had a great time and that we did the things(tours that we wanted t do). The cook Maria prepared our breakfast and other meals with a true love for cooking in her heart. The meals were not only delicious but attractive which made the meals even more appealing. Adan the concierge was more than helpful and ensured that our trip was a pleasant trip indeed!!

This has been an awesome experience at this Villa. A home away from home. Our stay was confortable with an amazing staff. The meals were sumptuous every day. We could not ask for better accommodation on our first trip to Rio. Thank you , thank you to the entire staff for all you have done this week . I will never forget this experience.

This is my first review, and I was compelled to write one because of how great our experience was. In August, we visited my brother and sister-in law in Brazil and stayed at the Villa. My two teenage kids thought it was like staying in a cozy castle. We were in one of the greatest cities in the world and my kids (who love the beach) did not want to leave the house they thought it was that cool. Here is my summary: STAFF – The staff is very helpful. Mike, the owner, and Adan, the manager, are extremely knowledgeable on restaurants and things to do. Adan speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese and is great at helping you with anything you may need. LOCATION – It is right in the heart of Copacabana. It is on a side street, but close to the Siquero Campos Metro station and several blocks from the beach. With-in a two minute walk, there are 3 grocery stores, several sandwich/juice stands, several pharmacies, and more than a dozen restaurants ranging from kilo to sit down to fast food. TRANSPORTATION – We drove in from Cabo Frio. The house is about 15-20 minutes from Santos Dumont airport and 35-40 minutes from Galeão. As mentioned, the metro is two blocks away or you can easily get a cab a half a block away. If you need to, the staff is more than helpful at helping you with airport transfer, site-seeing, or any arranging other transportation. The only negative is there is very little street parking nearby. You have to go about 2 blocks away to use a garage. THE HOUSE – It is hard to describe. It is not at all what you would expect in Rio. It has a kind of European feel. It is luxurious, but it is also very comfortable. The kitchen has a big island which is fun to hang out in the morning for breakfast. There is a dining room, though we did not use it. The living room is great because there is a retractable roof that lets in the sunshine. There is a den/TV room which I am told has an extra Murphy bed in the wall, but it was so well concealed we did not know which wall it was on. The bedrooms are very comfortable. Each has its own bathroom and shower/tub. There is a roof deck and pool and several rooms with bunk-beds and another large room with a loft bed. The pool is small, but good to cool off in the Rio heat. The staff keeps the house impeccably clean. If you are traveling with several couples or families, it is the ideal site. We have stayed in lots of rental houses/apartments in Florida, Mexico, Rio, and other cities.

Thank you so much for the chance to live and experience your wonderful house! It really has been an unforgettable experience which will stay in our hearts forever and warm us during the cold winter nights in Russia with all the warmth and brightness of Rio! Thank you and all your staff for this wonderful time in Rio! The Tolstoy family & Co.

The Villa was our urban experience before spending a week in Buzios. As a property owner and rents to visitors myself- I think i am right on target when i say that very few properties have as much to offer and reach the heights of the Villa in Rio de Janeiro. All communications, arrangements, and the way this home is managed and staffed is unbeatable. I learned much about running a property from my stay here. I was most impressed and this is not easy to do. The way the place is furnished and designed are elegant and warm. The staff is a "magic team". There seems to be nothing that they can not handle and do so with laughter and fun all day long. Coming from the airport and walking into the house was a treat. The staff was all there and they had prepared a welcome surprise buffet and had arranged from Raul an Priscilla Melo who own the top rated tour purveyor in the city to help us plan our stay. As it was the Christmas holiday and much was closed in term of museums (it seems like little is open on Mondays for example) - it was a wise move on the owners part. It was easy to see why the Melo agency is also rated # 1. Marcos our driver was always smiling - even after spending hours in traffic trying to show our family Rio's famous floating Christmas tree. We had all our meals in except for one evening when the staff celebrated with their families and made reservations for us at their favorite BBQ place between the villa and the beach. Marcia is an incredible cook and we loved her breakfast inventions - the incredible waffles for the kids - and all her special baking. Probably one of the top afternoons we spend was at a local cooking school where we all learned how to prepare a feijoada, caipirinhas, and pudding and Christmas nut treat. Thanks for the wonderful owner and his wonderful manager and the lovely staff. you made our Christmas. Nothing in Buzios compared with our Carioca experience.

My wife and visit Rio 4-5 times a year. If it is available we always try to stay in the Vila. For us the location is ideal. It is about 4 blocks from the beach on a side street 1 block from the metro station. The fact that is on a side street makes it very quiet, which is a plus especially during weekends which could get loud in Copacabana. The house is warm and welcoming. The kitchen is fully equipped for anyone who likes to cook. You can also contract a staff to make meals if you want, we never have. The bedrooms are very comfortable and cozy. Our favorite part is the roof deck which has a small pool and a barbeque. Mike, the owner, and Adan, the caretaker, and all the staff go out of their way to make sure that you have a great stay. The house is great for large groups or several couples.

We had such a wonderful experience in Rio. The Villa is amazing! Wonderful staff, very caring and flexible with ours teens busy schedule. Thank you so much for taking such excellent care of us during our stay.

Esta es una casa muy confortable, senti mucha tranquilidad, muy acogedora, la decoración es increíble, todos los espacios de la Villa estan muy bien pensados, la cocina me encantó! Desde que llegamos fuimos muy bien recibidos por el staff. Gracias a todos y seguramente volveré con toda mi familia

We felt like Home thank you Michael for your hospitality and kindness. We like your home so much, I love your taste! hope some time you get a chance to visit my home in the Galapagos Island. A big hug! Diane + friends