By Amy Skalmusky, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Whatever the reason – lower cost, nicer location, authentic experience, complete kitchen – renting an apartment while visiting Rio de Janeiro is gaining popularity. Since 2005, Rio Apartment Rental has been a prime source for those looking for a helping hand in finding a short or long- term apartment in the city.
David Eger, owner of Rio Apartment Rental, started the company that now offers over 250 apartments with a single one – his own.
The two-story, 230 m2 apartment in Copacabana was his first purchase in Rio and had room enough for he and his new bride, as well as space he could rent out to acquaintances who visited.
After renting the space out to some friends from the U.S., word spread and Eger began receiving a constant stream of requests.
When neighbors in his building asked his help to sublet their apartments, Eger knew he was on to something. He decided to create a company that would bridge the gap between apartment owners and clients, making sure it was friendly and, above all, honest.
“One of the most important things in the apartment rental business is to be sure the tenant gets exactly what he’s looking for,” said Rafael Nicolay, the manager at Rio Apartment Rental.
“We’ve all heard stories about people who booked apartments with unscrupulous people or companies and when they arrived discovered the apartment was nothing like the way it was advertised,” Nicolay sympathizes.
To keep this type of thing from happening, Rio Apartment Rental inspects every apartment and takes accurate pictures to display on their website. “Substandard apartments are not in our inventory,” said Nicolay.
The Company offers apartments for all budgets, from studios that start at US$65 a night to penthouses for US$1000 a night. Though Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are usually the most popular with its clients, Rio Apartment Rental has rental units in Botafogo, Flamengo and Santa Teresa, as well as houses in Angra dos Reis and Búzios.
If clients don’t see something they like on the site, Rio Apartment Rental will search out something that meets their needs, according to Nicolay.
The staff at Rio Apartment Rental speak a variety of languages, and requests via email or phone, can be made from two weeks to four months in advance. Though planning ahead is suggested, walk-ins are also welcome.
Along with finding clients an apartment, Rio Apartment Rental representatives picks them up from the airport, shows them around their new apartment and gives them a tour of their new neighborhood, pointing out restaurants, bars, nightclubs, pharmacies and answering any questions.
Many clients also want to know about the most popular tourist activities in the area. Rio Apartment Rental assists them with booking tours to go hang gliding, visit the Sugar Loaf, the Christ Statue, Búzios and others.
This level of service has kept the eight-person office busy and the Company growing at nearly 20 percent a year. The upcoming World Cup in 2014 and Olympics in 2016 promise to boost that figure.
“Having the right apartments is the first part of the equation,” said Nicolay, “(along with) having a staff that goes overboard to help each tenant so that they will have a wonderful vacation in Rio.”
The Rio headquarter address is:
Rio Apartment Rental
Rua Belfort Roxo #307/1202
Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CEP: 22020-010
Phone in Brazil: (21) 3042 8938
Phone in U.S.: 1 (518) 693-7494
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.rioapartmentrental.com
* This is a paid Advertorial for Rio Apartment Rental.
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