Alvisiano

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at Sant’Alvise – you know, that quiet stop in Cannaregio where the crowds thin out and Venice starts feeling like a real neighborhood again. The Alvisiano is tucked right there on Sant Alvise, just a stone’s throw from the church with its quirky bell tower that chimes softly in the mornings, like a gentle nudge to wake up. Honestly, after dodging the tourist hordes around San Marco, wandering those narrow calli to get here felt like a breath of fresh air – literally, with that faint salty tang from the lagoon mixing with the aroma of fresh bread from the little bakery on Strada Nova nearby. The hotel itself? It’s this charming 4-star spot that doesn’t scream luxury but delivers it in spades, with a rating of 9.4 that totally checks out from my stay last spring. Check-in was a breeze – the front desk guy, Marco (I think that was his name), chatted about the best time to hit the Jewish Ghetto for cicchetti, and handed over my key without any fuss. No elevator, mind you, so if you’re hauling heavy bags up those creaky wooden stairs, well, consider it part of the authentic Venetian workout – but hey, the rooms on the upper floors snag these peekaboo views of the canal that make it worth the huff.

What really hooked me was how the place blends old-school Venice vibes with just enough modern comfort to keep things easy. My room had these exposed beam ceilings that smelled faintly of aged wood, and a bed so plush I sank right in after a day of pounding the pavements toward Fondamenta Nuove for the boat to Murano. Breakfast – oh man, don’t get me started – it’s served in this sunny courtyard (weather permitting, which it often does in May), with flaky cornetti and cappuccinos that rival anything on the mainland. You know what, though? It’s not perfect; the walls are a bit thin, so you might hear the occasional gondola oar splashing by early if your window faces the water, but that’s Venice for you – sort of romantic, actually, once you get used to it. The staff are pros at steering you away from the overpriced traps; one evening, they tipped me off to a hidden osteria on Rio Terà San Leonardo, where the locals go for squid ink pasta without the markup. And noise-wise, Cannaregio quiets down after dark, especially off-season when the day-trippers vanish, leaving you with that peaceful hush broken only by distant church bells or a cat meowing in the alley.

All in all, if you’re after a slice of Venice that feels lived-in rather than postcard-perfect, the Alvisiano is your spot. I mean, it’s not the glitzy Grand Canal palaces, but that’s the point – staying here lets you slip into the rhythm of the city, grabbing a spritz at a campo bar or strolling to the vaporetto without elbowing through selfie sticks. For couples or solo travelers dodging the summer rush (aim for April or October to beat the heat and hordes), it’s a gem that leaves you feeling like you’ve uncovered something special. I’d go back in a heartbeat – just pack light for those stairs, and maybe earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. Trust me, it’s the kind of place that sticks with you long after the ferry ride home.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $272. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• We had a delightful time. – Moritz from Germany – 4 April 2025 (10/10)

  The apartment is located in a wonderful part of Venice, which is authentic and quiet at night. You have a great view from the rooms – plus the supermarket, restaurants + bars, and a Vaporetto station are very close by.
  
  It is very spacious, clean and extremely well equipped: it has air-condition for the summer, provides sufficient mosquito-repellent options, basic bathroom supplies, 3 TVs (!). And the kitchen has everything you need to prepare meals – enough pots and pans, some basic spices, a big fridge + freezer – we have never rented a place before where so much is available. Only the cutlery has seen better days, but it still works ok.
  
  The mattresses are comfortable. Unfortunately one bed squeaked easily when turning.
  
  We stayed with 4 people and enjoyed the opportunity to have such a comfortable place to go home to after a long sightseeing day. Maybe in the future the apartment will also have a comfortable seating option for 4 people, in addition to the kitchen table, to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening together.
  
  If we visit Venice again, we would return to Alvisiano!

• Perfect stay, warm welcoming hosts. Had everything we needed! – Audrey from United States – 8 October 2024 (10/10)

  Spacious, comfortable, great location! Away from the crowds, in a lovely quiet neighborhood. Had everything we needed!
  
  What could be improved: Nothing.

• A very enjoyable stay, exceeded expectations. – Francine from United Kingdom – 15 September 2024 (9/10)

  Spacious, clean, lovely decor. Quiet local neighbourhood, near to local supermarket.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Lovely place to stay when exploring Venice. – Erica from Canada – 16 July 2024 (10/10)

  Great location in a picturesque quiet square but on the edge of the action so easy walk to everything. A convenient supermarket nearby. Apartment is very pretty and well equipped. Air conditioners in both bedrooms which was very welcome in July! Perfect for our family of 4 (kids are 13 + 18)

• Exceptional – Pedro from Portugal – 28 June 2024 (10/10)

  This was a hidden gem. It was away from the tourist noise but walkable to the tourist parts of Venice. It is very spacious and has all the amenities I could need. The hosts were accommodating and attentive. We wished we could have stayed longer.

• Perfect for my family – Jacob from United States – 9 August 2023 (10/10)

  Location was perfect, away from crowds, close to supermarket and park. Very spacious apartment with 2 bathrooms, 1 in master bedroom!

• Exceptional – Alexandru from Romania – 30 June 2023 (10/10)

  Big apartment in a lovely Venice neighbourhood. The apartment has anything you need. And a lovely view. It is situated at a 15 minutes walk from the central station and 2 minutes from a boat station. It is clean and the host is very nice. It is also very quiet at night.

• Beautiful Apartment in Relaxed Area of Venice – William from United States – 1 October 2022 (10/10)

  Located close to the first stop of the orange water bus line from the airport. The apartment is huge and well appointed. We could walk to Rialto Bridge in about 20 minutes and San Marco plaza in about 30 but felt like we were away from the crowds at the apartment
  
  What could be improved: It's up a couple flights of stairs but that's to be expected in Venice. Honestly, no real complaints. Loved this place

• Great place for stay while visiting Venice, I couldn't imagine better – Anna from Poland – 1 July 2023 (10/10)

  Place located in a great area, close to Vaporetto stop but also 20 min. walk to the centre. Very quite neighbourhood, but quite close to restaurants and night live -just few canals away 🙂 Two comfortable bedrooms, two restrooms, so it was perfect for two couples, kitchen fully equipped, extra room for tv and another one with dining table. Amazing window view for canal. Lady who gave us keys was very friendly and helpful.
  We enjoyed every minute of our stay, I highy reccomend it, especially if you don't like crowds – it is like different type of Venice, quiet and original.
  
  What could be improved: Both beds were very creaking, noisy even with minimum move, I suppose it can be fixed easily.

• Very good – Gazdwhite from Australia – 18 September 2022 (8/10)

  The location was fantastic. Very quiet but a short walk to restaurant, bars and sightseeing. Very close to the vaparrettos.
  
  What could be improved: Both showers the arms were faulty and wouldn't stay up making it difficult to shower properly.
  
  Some basic condiments in the kitchen would be helpful such as salt, pepper, some spices and olive oil.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities