Apartments that deliver luxury for less

In these credit-crunching times, travelers are increasingly looking for accommodation that delivers more bang for their buck than an uninspired hotel room. The search for good value, exciting lodgings in Rio de Janeiro can be a frustrating one, with many hotels charging sky-high prices for rooms that do little to justify their high price tag.

With this in mind, more and more visitors to the cidade maravilhosa are looking to the apartment rental sector in search of luxurious lodgings that won’t blow a Brazil-sized hole in the travel budget. And with canny property owners wise to the idea that their beachside apartment could be a hit with the tourists, there are increasing numbers of companies offering apartments that really do deliver the goods.

One such company is boutique apartment management and rental agency EZRio (http://www.ezrio.com). The agency rents out just a few select properties, all in desirable locations, and offers some unforgettable vacation experiences.

The jewel in the crown of the agency’s portfolio has to be Lounge Six; an uber-chic Manhattan loft-style apartment so vast you could get lost on your way to the bathroom!

The well-located apartment features Eastern-inspired deco (right down to the funky sushi table); and elegant touches such as a candle wall, spa bath, stainless steel kitchen and bar appliances. Rooms are kitted out with every modern knick-knack you could imagine; including ipod-ready stereo systems, games consoles and film libraries, and the whole apartment costs less than you would expect to pay for a standard en-suite hotel room on Ipanema beachfront.

The location is perfect for beach bunnies – it’s located just a couple of minutes’ walk from Copacabana Posto Seis (lifeguard post 6), and less than 10 minutes’ walk from the beaches of Arpoador and Ipanema.

Guests renting the three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with EZRio can also benefit from a personalised service that can’t be matched by any hotel. The agency offers a complimentary guided tour of the city; free use of a local mobile phone for every guest; an office with laptop (and wifi throughout the apartment) and – crucially – a contact number that can be called at any time of day or night, should guests have problems or queries.

Company founder Richard – who came to Rio for a two-week vacation and, seven years later, is still showing no signs of leaving – says: “We want to offer our guests a service that goes above and beyond what the hotels can offer, without charging over the odds. We understand the importance of personal contact, and go out of our way to be available around the clock.”

Prices at Lounge 6 vary according to season, length of stay and the number of guests (the loft sleeps up to 10); but an average night here costs between US$150 and US$300.

With the city’s top-end hotels charging up to five times that amount, it’s not hard to see why would-be guests are wise to make their Lounge 6 bookings well in advance of their arrival!