Antica Raffineria

Antica Raffineria Overview

First Impressions

Walking through the narrow streets of Cannaregio to find Antica Raffineria feels like discovering a secret — and honestly, that’s exactly what this place is. Tucked away on Fondamenta della Misericordia, this three-star boutique hotel sits in what used to be an old refinery, which explains the name. The entrance is understated in that perfectly Venetian way, where you’re never quite sure if you’ve found the right door until you step inside and realize you’ve hit the jackpot.

The Cannaregio Advantage

Here’s what I love about staying in this part of Venice — you’re close enough to everything that matters, but far enough from the crowds that you can actually breathe. The Fondamenta della Misericordia is one of those waterside walkways where locals still outnumber tourists, especially in the evening when you’ll see Venetians out for their aperitivo. You’re maybe a 10-minute walk to the Rialto Bridge, but the vibe here is completely different. There’s a reason couples rate this location so highly — it’s romantic without being touristy, if you know what I mean.

Your Room and the Building

The room I stayed in had this wonderful mix of old Venetian character and modern comfort that’s harder to find than you’d think. The ceilings had original wooden beams, and the windows — well, some rooms look out over the canal, others face the quiet courtyard. Either way, you’re getting that authentic Venice experience without the noise that comes with being right on the Grand Canal. The bathrooms are compact but well-designed, which is pretty much standard for Venice unless you’re spending serious money.

Getting Around and Practical Stuff

The nearest vaporetto stop is Guglie, which is maybe a three-minute walk — super handy for getting around the city or heading to the train station. What’s nice is that you can also walk to most places in the historic center, though I’d recommend downloading an offline map because the streets in Cannaregio can be a bit of a maze. The staff here actually knows the neighborhood well, so don’t hesitate to ask for directions or recommendations. They pointed me toward a couple of local spots I never would have found otherwise.

Why Guests Love It

Look, this isn’t going to be the fanciest place you’ve ever stayed, but that’s not really the point. What Antica Raffineria does well is give you an authentic Venice experience in a neighborhood that still feels lived-in. The 8.8 rating makes sense when you consider the location, the character of the building, and the fact that you’re getting genuine Venetian atmosphere without paying San Marco prices. It’s the kind of place where you’ll end up having conversations with other travelers over breakfast, and where the staff treats you more like a temporary neighbor than just another tourist passing through.

Antica Raffineria Accommodations

Reviews of Antica Raffineria

• Anne from Australia – 1 April 2025 (9/10)

  Very quiet
  
  What could be improved: Nil

• Mgzamfirescu from Romania – 24 March 2025 (9/10)

  Very good location, clean and cozy. Has a well equipped kitchen. Complimentary wather, coffee and pastries.
  The lady at the reception was super nice. I had a very late checkout since I was feeling sick in my day of departure. Grazie mille! 🙏
  Great value for money.

• Jennifer from United States – 23 March 2025 (9/10)

  We enjoyed our staff! Both staff with whom we interacted were very friendly and helpful. I also appreciated the opportunity to store our luggage both before and after check in/out. If I return to Venice, I will definitely stay here again! It was very quiet too (especially compared to Florence)
  
  What could be improved: Nope!

• Anurag from United Arab Emirates – 20 March 2025 (9/10)

  Very nice stay owner was very nice lady. Gave toys to my kid.

• Maryamsadat from Italy – 18 March 2025 (9/10)

  Everything was great, what I like most about this place were hosts 😻 they were so kind and friendly 💖

• Annie from Spain – 4 March 2025 (9/10)

  Excellent location in my favourite area of Venice! Great restaurants and bars along the canal and a super cool studenty atmosphere. Super quiet – not a sound to be heard. Very pleasant staff, easy check in and super comfy bed. I liked having a coffee machine and little pastries for breakfast. I’ll be back on my next visit!

• Iosif from Romania – 1 March 2025 (9/10)

  Everything.
  
  What could be improved: I secretly wished it would be cheaper, but it was one of the lowest prices during the Carnival.

• Bhoolee from Italy – 20 December 2024 (9/10)

  Well located to Vaporetto platforms and easy to access major attractions.
  Supermarket, restaurant, bars & Café are around 10 minutes of walking
  Nice and clean bedroom could accommodate 4 of us in a 2 double-bed bedroom with tea, coffee & water.
  TV, wifi & WC/Shower attached to the bedroom.
  A must-come bed & breakfast place with a Very professional & helpful staff.
  Mrs. Soledad is very nice and welcomed me with my little family very well.
  Mr. Stefano even helped us for informing us about change in train timings.
  The staff even arranged the keep our luggages even after our checkout so we could enjoy Venetia till our last moment to take our train.

• Kathia from Puerto Rico – 8 October 2024 (9/10)

  It had very clear instructions for us to check in, the hosts were very nice and friendly. It was a comfortable and calm place to stay at.

• Nikolina from Serbia – 14 October 2023 (9/10)

  The accommodation is in a great location, very comfortable beds. the furniture is older but it makes up for the cleaning every day with clean towels. the hosts allowed us to leave our suitcases all day.

Surroundings

Facilities