Happily I have not had that kind of problem with doormen. I generally keep them happy with small tips of money or food, and they have always treated me and my companions with politeness. Perhaps you should mention the matter to whoever you rented the apartment from to save future renters the same problem.For my money, apartments are certainly the way to go.

Layne: could be those doormen are fishing for a little palm-grease. R$5 can but a lot of ease in that country. But sometimes I'm not in the mood to reach into my pocket.

oops!
"but' should be "buy"

Exactly what they wanted...I have read this and forgot..I think all will be fine now.

BEWARE THE DOORMAN AT YOUR APARTMENT BUILDING!!!
I have a buddy who learned the hard way that they can really fuck you if they want. He was staying in a apartment for 3 weeks with one girl the entire time, the day before he left he took another female to his apartment. When his "girlfriend" showed up looking for him, the fucking doorman not only let her up but he also told her that he had just came in with another girl!! He then proceeded to describe the girl, by his descriptions she was able to figure out who she was.

When my buddy showed up later at her apartment she went apeshit on him!! He kepted trying to say he was in the shower when she was pounding on his door, but she knew he was lying. I stopped staying at the Rio Roiss for this exact reason( they kept letting girls up to my room even if I didn't answer my phone). I usually tip the doormen 10 reals, it sucks that i have to do that, but that is the only way to make sure I don't get screwed.

I just got back from nine days in Rio on my first trip. I am very glad I went the apartment route rather than a hotel. I rented a three bedroom on the beach at Copacabana with a great view and perfect location. I want to thank Kenn at "ez rio rentals" for setting this up and arranging transportation, cell phones and general information. I was well taken care of all the way around. I would not consider a hotel ever at this point. a friend came a few days later than me and stayed next door at the Rio Atlantico Hotel and had a problem bringing a 20 year old into the hotel. they said that the women had to be 21 years of age. screwed up his evening for sure. first timers need to consider an apartment. my next trip I have an invitation to stay with one of the girls I met but that might be a mistake(LOL)

Pleebo
Can you mention the price of 3 bedroom apartment? Did it include a safe?

athos

we paid $150 for the three bedrooms with a great ocean view and good security at the entrance. there was not a safe in the room. one room has queen bed and the other two rooms had two single beds. air conditioners in two of the rooms.

Pleebo

Athos,

For my return trip, I rented a 1 bedroom suite from Bobby at Blame it on Rio for $50/day. Cleaning/linens is 20R/day, and he has set it up for every other. Included in the price is that they will pick me up and drop me off at the airport also. Plus it is an ocean view. It seems that this is more spacious, and higher quality at a lower cost. The only downside is no safe, but I certainly think it is worth a try!

I will report more when I get back.

BluesTraveller

Athos

If you want some information on the 3 bedroom Pleebo stayed in just check out the web site for pictures WWW.EZ-RioRentals.com look under Ocean Front 3 bedroom and look at apt. 1101-A
or just e-mail me... info@EZ-RioRentals.com
I have that one and a few others available to me as rentals. I now also have a great Ocean Front 4 bedroom apt. with a very large balcony overlooking the Ocean..


Thanks for the plug Pleebo.. see you on your next trip.

kenn

Kenn..well put together site...why not post the prices though?

I also paid $150 for a 3 BR ocean Front apt. It had a Huuuuuge living room. I got mine through Bobby.

I also tipped the doormen. I tipped the morning guy and the evening guy 10R each every couple of days. However I found it best to tip when I wasn't with a girl. (I had at least 1 girl a day) I also made it a habit to say "Oi, tudo bom? and chat with them a bit. Some appreciated and others merely tolerated it. Oh yeah, it doesn't hurt to ask their names and remember to call them by it every now and then. I also gave them any left over booze that the last girl of each trip didn't want

Posting the prices would certainly make my job easier Layne87 but they change so often, the time of year, your length of stay, the Dollar vs. the Real, the amities the apt. has, A/C, normal or American Cable TV, Stereo, Phone, all of these effect the prices greatly. Not to mention the owner and what he thinks HIS apt. is worth.
For example:

Studio apt. in Copacabana average price Low Season (nice studio) 100reais a night for a 5-10 day stay...
Same Studio apt. in Copacabana average price Low Season 90reais a night for a 10-20 day stay...
Same Studio apt. in Copacabana average price High Season 110reais a night for a 5-10 day stay...
Same Studio apt. in Copacabana average price High Season 100reais a night for a 10-20 day stay...
Same Studio apt. in Copacabana average price Carnival or New Years 200reais or more a night for a 10 day stay...
Rent the same apt. for a month Low Season and it could be 1,400reais a month or 46reais a night...
Rent the same apt. for a month High Season and it could be 1,700reais a month or 56reais a night...

These are just examples so you can see that every apt. has at least 7 different prices. OH, I forgot to mention the owner and what he thinks HIS apt. is worth. With over 100 apts. you see my problem. Now with the real loosing strength lately that will effect the prices also.... So it is easier just to call the owner when I'm finding out if his apts. is available for certain dates and just ask him how much he wants per night then.
My prices are in line with what everyone else is charging. If they weren't I would not have been able to stay in business for this long. So, I just ask the client how much can you spend for an apartment and if I can find one available in that price range great. Then it's just a matter of looking at the pictures of the one I found for him and if he likes it and the area it's in we can do business.
I'm constantly looking for new apts. to add to our Web Site so keep looking at it for updates.......

I'm also starting an ADULT section on Rio...... this should be started within the next few weeks so if you or anyone else here wants a password just fill in the form on the Web Site or e-mail me at..... info@EZ-RioRentals

Kenn, here is an article that I came across the other day. It deals with real estate in Rio and what you can expect for different areas.

http://www.escapeartist.com/OREQ1/Rio_de_Janeiro.html

Pleebo, that would be really funny if I ended up with your friend's girl. One of my best sessions was with an adorable petite brunette from Help who was flirting with me from a distance but I didnt approach. She ended up disappearing with a guy, but reappeared later because they wouldnt allow her into the guy's hotel because they claimed she needed to be 21 but she was only 20.

My buddy StayAwayJoe normally likes Amazons, but she had so much sex appeal when she tried that she got him really interested. He also knew about my experience with her. Details to follow in upcoming report...

I'm usually a hotel guy, but decided to go for an apartment this time. It was in Ipanema near Leblon. It cut my lodging expenses by a bit more than %50. The only drawback, and concern for many, is the lack of a safe. I'm the paranoid type and don't care for all of my valuables to be exposed. Everything was OK though. I quartered my money and hid it in some hard to fathom places plus kept about $100 in an easy to find place to satisfy any quick hit thief.

There is an auction sight http://www.skyauction.com that almost always lists rooms from the Savoy Othon. One generally can get a standard room there for about $40 (if you win your auction). Normal rates are about $65 for a standard room.

Skyauction also has generally has room at the Othon Palace (5 stars).

Artist--LOVE the apartment...The terrace is the bomb...the girls love the place..Camila knows the way now for sure...funny story here about you not having a tv..picked up sweetheart from MG the other night..she was a doll baby and she looks at me on the terrace and tells me in the sweetest voice..layne I really like you so much but I love Futbol...I have to go home before 8am to watch the game...

anyway good choice artist..I like it there and yes without the TV for sure..it is the quietest place I have stayed at so far...door men are actually friendly here..they speak with Camila at length as she comes and goes...

Do you guys know if there are apartments available with safety box, cable tv and ocean view?

Athos, we used the service of John Thompson from
Rio Rental 4 Less
www.riorentals4less.com
email: jht@interlize.com.br
0115521 22568127 (H)
0115521 99718479 (cell)

He got us 3 different apartments, 2 in the same building and the other was a block away. My apartment is located: Djalma Ulrich 49. It's at the intersection of Rua Miguel Lemon and Djalma Ulrich. It's technically right behind the Help disco and two blocks south of the Rio Roiss. If you exit Help disco, turn right, then turn right at the next street, walk one block, my apartment is on the left hand side.

My apartment is small but it's probably as big as any standard or deluxe hotel room. It has queen size bed, shower, kitchen, a/c, small safe box, AND an wide open ocean sideview. It's also 24 man guarded. I had a TV, but w/o cable. My sidekick apt has full cable. Who really watches TV in Rio except for a 30min catch of the daily market performance and world news. We pay 40usd per apartment, and they are paid in full for the whole duration on your first day.

I speak very highly of John Thompson and especially "Os", John's right hand man. They will be at your apt in 5min. if you ever need anything. "Os" told us they are renovating 2 more much bigger condo style apts and they will be ready in 3 weeks.

If you decide to use their services, please mention my name...no not my handle. Pick apt #1103 on Djalma Ulrich, this apt is huge and everything is included, or the new condos.

We also tried to email Don b4 we got to Rio, but Don had server problem and never received our inquiries. Don is a genuine nice guy and he's also a friend of John Thompson. All three guys, John, Don, and Ken are great guys if you ever need their help. I will go into details at appropriate thread.

Athos.. e-mail me at info@ez-riorentals.com

John Thompson.....that name sounds familiar. Is he an African American from Pasadena, Calif.?? On my last visit to Rio a few years ago, the Thompson I know played basketball for the local pro team in Rio. I'm just curious to know.

I stayed at both an apartment and at the Debret on my last trip.
If you know you will have 3some and festa, go the apartment route unless you don't mind trying a love motel as hotel will not allow multiple guests at same time. Having multiple guests during the day as long as not at the same time is OK with double room booking.
Apartment is typically more affordable but no maid service, possibly no safe, possibly tiny ocean view. You need to get a cell phone if you need to make phone calls.
At Hotel you get maid service and breakfast is included.
With an apartment you do not need to register the garotas, which is nice.
Apartment bathroom will probably be very cramped for shower stall but typical of Rio, garotas will find that normal. Me it took me a while.
OK now unless you're staying at least a week and dollar is not as strong as it is right now, I would go the apartment route to save money.
With the current strong dollar, I'd head to a hotel that is guest friendly.
Also some apartments may not save you money as they can get as expensive as hotels but that is a different situation.

Just bought my ticket today leaving on Jan 5th,
does anyone know a apartment agent by the name of David W. Schneider and his Business is called
Gringo Management.
OR
John Thompson for Rio rentals 4 less. I just want some References if anyone ever dealt with them

thanks CN

john thompson is pretty popular amongst mongers...middle aged black dude from nyc who used to be a corrections officer...never used him myself, but many have, and he seems like a very nice guy in email correspondence...

Don has apartments and I used Kenn this trip and was not disappointed...

JOhn is a cool guy but he can nitpick you to death for extra money, anything you do he is asking for more dollars.

Ex. I know someone who rented a 1 bedroom apartment from him, the guy was staying there with his girlfriend and the girl's cousin came for the weekend and was sleeping on the pullout couch. When John found out the cousin had spent the weekend on the couch he went and demanded that the guy pay an aditional $20/night. The two got into an disagreement over it and the dude ended up moving out.

Rexxx Hi buddy could you give your take on staying in Ipanema as opposed to Copa. I realize it is more expensive of course. I am back in Jan for 10 days and will be with my new wife most of the time probably except for a quick run to 4x4 for the "Teen Dream Queens" before she gets back in town. I want to do some side trips with her ect.

I have met Kenn but lost his contact info, could you post it please. Or if you have some direct contacts that would be great too. I am coming by myself this time as my brother is being a wuss, so I only need a one bedroom but want the ocean view, balcony and other amenities and enjoy the scenery outside a terma for a change. I might even make it to the beach this time LOL... It was great seeing you and J. He and I flew back to LA together what a great guy. Thanks,Iggy

Hi Iggy....
www.EZ-RioRentals.com
phone is 9863-9962

Has anyone had experience with the Savoy Othon Hotel? The current rate of $46 + tax seems to be competitive. I have heard it has been renovated in the last 2 years. Is it guest friendly, and are the any concerns I should be aware of?

Thanks

On my second trip to Rio I decided to rent an apartment instead of staying at the hotel. Besides, the Debret was a little more expensive during this high season.

Decided to give David Schneider at gringomanagement a try of renting an apartment from him. One good thing about David is that he is good at responding to your emails very quickly. Finally accepted an offer of $40/night one bedroom apartment 1/2 block behind help. when I arrived at the airport, his driver, Arnold, was there waiting for me. Arnold took me to my apartment on Djama Ulrich(?)that turned out to be a very nice and clean apartment with beautiful oceanview, a kitchen counter, refrigerator and an in-room safe.

David was not there but I met his business partner, Asagai, also from New York who showed me the apartment. The apartment was a perfect location for me; 1/2 block from help, 1 block from Meia Pataca, 1 block from the beach, 1/2 block from a grocery store, 2 block from internet cafe and 1 block from Alcazar. The street is well-lit and safe to walk from help.

I would rent from David again, unless of course, I decided to check out other rental agencies.

Wanted to add a note about the last place I stayed. Princess Copacobana is a little "apartment hotel" just up the street from the Rio Roiss. It's brand new and "chica friendly". Marianna (Blameitonrio) got me agreat rate (R$140/n). Easily at the top of my list now, I'd highly reccomend it to all.

Azhacker
Does Princess Copa have a web site?

Promenade has a whole series of apart-hotels. I am having trouble making a reservation directly though.

http://www.promenade.com.br/aparthoteis/princess.cfm

Azhacker
Looking at a map, princess seems to be 2 blocks off the beach, right after NS Copacabana Ave.
Did you walk with garota from Help or had to catch a cab?

Athos...remember your walk to rio roiss..same venture but add the extra block away from the beach going past bobbies and the net cafe...hmm at night..cab...it gets a bit dark on that last block I think..I checked out azhacker's room and liked it..I have made reservations for my next trip there...

Layne
That's what I thought. So it's more expensive than Roiss and does not save much over Debret, more comfort with no view. Tough choice. Where do you grab a taxicab leaving Help as the ones in the front charge muito dinheiro?

I turn right out of the club to avoid the kids ,flowers and cameras...at bobs they still charge me R10 but it is worth it to me to escape the peddlars..they really wear me out...

take a peek the next trip to see if the choice is worth it..I am at least going to give it a try to enjoy the extra comfort and american modern ameneties.

Layne
Thats great if Bobs taxis charge 10R as at Barb they charge R$20 nowadays.
I'll definitely check out Princess Copa.
I think for me it's a question of wanting the ocean view or not as main other cities in the South do not have any beaches.

I think you are like me tho...you are hardly ever in your room..out the door by noon for lunch and terma runs...back in at 10pm to dress for help or lido ckt..home by 2-3am with gf ...repeat as neccessary...time looking outside window of apt..hmm 10 minutes/day...

how close am I???

Layne I think you described me too. I looked out my window at Atlantica maybe twice my last trip. Watched TV maybe once.

yep ...maybe one day we will see more of what brasil has to offer...


nahhh

Does anyone have any experience with the Rio Copa Hotel ? Apparently it 2 blocks from the beach...swimming pool sauna ..etc Mid Feb arrival they want $55 for a double.

Checking in to Princess Copa. tommorow, nice hotel, blows the Debret away (IMHO). Got rate 168R plus tax (5%)FOR A SUITE double. Was paying 184R with 5% tax for stantard double room at Debret.Went thru Blame it on RIO, but got the same rate just walking in off the street, but they tried to tell me extra 60R for a girl, going thru Blame it on Rio i got it with no charge for girl. Blame it on Rio said they will slowly raise the rates untill getting to 240R. tHE NEXT STREET OVER towards lido is Hotel Valimar copa., another very nice, classy hotel, was quoted 160R plus 40R for girl. No tax. Not sure if they have suites but the room i looked at was very nice and spacouis, two beds , onelarge and one small.

FA1
By email Princess gave me a quote for 228R for double. Looks like gringo gouging to me.

Athos,

A bit harsh as I'm sure they know most of Bobby's clients are gringos. Pretty much anywhere in the world you can sometimes get cheaper rates walking off the street, dealing through intermediaries (websites, TAs etc) than emailing the hotel direct. The rate on the website is R240 so they did knock something off the official rate. It is after all high season.

BTW, did you email in English or Portuguese? I also emailed them today but have yet to receive a reply. Will advise when I do.

Ardgneas
I emailed in English and I thought I read it was 170R for double room, not the suite, on their web site.

Just got back from Rio. I rented an single apartment over looking the beach. It was right smack in between Mea Patacca and Help. I spent many hours looking thru my window checking all the action out. It was a nice apartment but not up to american standards. I miss clean sheets and towels everyday. I will be staying in a hotel for future trips. I met fellow mongers that was staying at the Princess Copacabana and Vilamar. I checked both out. Both are brand new, super nice hotels and also guest friendly. I think the Vilamar charges 40 reals for guest but the Princess their is no charge. For my next Rio trip I thought about staying at the Princess and inquired about booking a future reservation in July. Talking to the desk clerk at the Princess he thinks that management is thinking about charging for guest in the future. Does anybody know about this.

Wanted to get recommendations for Apts. in Copa and Ipanema. Was there for New years and friend worked with Riorentals for an apartment Behind Help which was nice, but wanted to get other suggestions. What people liked what they didn't, Also please let me know of people to stay away from. Thanks.

Nyl12,

Look under the Travel Services section for some write ups on various rentals.

Where is the Travel Services Section? must have over looked it.