Appartamento a pochi passi dalla Biennale

Hotel Description

I remember stumbling upon Appartamento a pochi passi dalla Biennale during one of those whirlwind trips to Venice when I was trying to dodge the San Marco crowds – you know, the kind where you’re elbow-to-elbow with tour groups by noon. It’s tucked away on Calle Sabbioncella in the Castello district, which honestly feels like the real Venice, less polished and more lived-in than the postcard spots. I got off the vaporetto at Arsenale – that’s the stop you want if you’re coming from the train station; it’s about a 10-minute walk from there, weaving through these narrow alleys that smell faintly of saltwater and fresh bread from the little bakeries hidden around the corners. The building itself is one of those classic Venetian setups, with worn stone steps leading up to the door – no elevator, mind you, so pack light if stairs aren’t your thing. When I arrived, check-in was a breeze; the host left the keys in a lockbox with a quick note about the Wi-Fi password and where to find the nearest grocery on Via Garibaldi. Stepping inside, it hit me – this place isn’t some sterile hotel room; it’s a proper apartment with high ceilings, creaky wooden floors that echo a bit when you walk, and these big windows letting in that soft, diffused light off the lagoon. I mean, it’s rated an 8 for a reason, but well, the kitchenette’s compact, sort of like cooking in a boat galley, which actually added to the charm for me.

What really sold me was how close it is to the Biennale gardens – literally a few steps, as the name says. I’d wake up to the distant hum of boats on the canal and stroll over for the art exhibits without breaking a sweat, especially during the off-season when it’s quieter and you can actually linger without the summer hordes. Castello’s got this authentic vibe; think local osterias where Nonnas are chatting over spritzes on Via Garibaldi, or that tiny park nearby where kids play football in the evenings – it’s not the tourist trap of Rialto, but man, it’s refreshing. The apartment itself sleeps a few comfortably, with a cozy living area that has this old-school Venetian mirror reflecting the sunlight, and a bathroom that’s spotless but, honestly, the shower pressure’s a tad weak after a long day of walking. Noise-wise, it’s peaceful at night – no blaring music from bars, just the occasional seagull or church bell – though if you’re here during the Biennale’s peak months, like May to November, the area buzzes a little more with artists and visitors spilling out from the pavilions. I grabbed fresh produce from the market at the end of the street and whipped up pasta in that little kitchen; it felt like living like a local, you know? Oh, and parking? Forget it – this is Venice, so leave the car on the mainland and embrace the water taxis.

All in all, if you’re the type who wants to immerse yourself without the overpriced hype, this spot’s a gem. It’s got that 4-star polish – think comfy beds with crisp linens and air conditioning that actually works in July’s humidity – but with an apartment’s freedom to spread out. Sure, it might not suit families with tons of luggage (those stairs, again), or if you’re after round-the-clock concierge service, but for couples or solo travelers chasing that insider Venice experience, I’d book it again in a heartbeat. Just time it right – avoid high season if you hate crowds, and you’ll thank me later.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $189. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed, 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Lyubomir from Bulgaria – 5 December 2023 (8/10)

  Very good location if you want ot visit the main two Biennale venues. Very close to the city centre, easy access and good transport options. Visited in Nivember, it had good heating. Nice, cosy and quiet.

• Agniya from Russia – 17 April 2024 (9/10)

  We enjoyed lovely biennale area, apartment is clean, new, quiet and good for family stay.

• Melissa from United States – 3 April 2024 (7/10)

  What could be improved: Steep steps to get to the apartment. We had a hard time getting in the place because the keypad didn’t work to get the keys. There were no instructions on how to get the heater working. The main bathroom makes a lot of noise when using the toilet or shower.

• Carl from United Kingdom – 26 June 2023 (8/10)

  Very clean and very modern
  
  What could be improved: Nothing!

• Claudia from Spain – 2 January 2025 (8/10)

  The apartment was very confortable for 4 persons.
  
  What could be improved: Only one thing to improve: the shower drainer was a bit slow, and water was accumulated during the shower time.

• Pu from United Kingdom – 29 October 2022 (8/10)

  Bright, warm, clean and large enough ， convenient as well
  
  What could be improved: nothing

• Andrei from Romania – 6 May 2023 (6/10)

  We liked the fact that the accommodation was located on a quiet street, but nevertheless not too far from the city center, i.e. San Marco square, 20 min walk. Nearby there are 3 shops where you can buy your essentials, at a distance of a maximum of 10-15 minutes walking. The apartment is spacious, 2 rooms, living room, a main bathroom with a not very spacious shower cabin and a second small bathroom that only contains a sink and a toilet. It has all the necessary utensils in the kitchen and a small but very good refrigerator.
  
  What could be improved: We didn't like the fact that the check-in was at 16:00. The host did not want us to be able to leave our luggage at the location. When you arrive in the city at 11:00, if you have a morning flight, be prepared to walk all day with your luggage. Although the host is not willing to offer you the facility of leaving your luggage at the location until the proposed check-in time, she still insists that at check-out you wash the dishes, take out the trash, turn off the central heating and so on. Disappointing communication with the host.
  Another minus was the fact that the boiler had a strange mode of operation, i.e. only when you turned on the water from the sink

• Carly from United States – 1 September 2023 (4/10)

  Near waterbus stops and a park.
  
  What could be improved: The description of this apartment is misleading. The air conditioning is only in the living room, not in the bedrooms. And it's one and a half baths, not two. With it being 95+ degrees the days we were there, it was not acceptable to not have AC in the bedrooms. We picked this place solely because it was labeled as air conditioned and having two full baths.
  
  Upon arrival, and discovering these things, we decided to find lodging elsewhere and did not stay here.

• Eric from France – 27 July 2024 (9/10)

  Spacieux et très bien placé
  
  What could be improved: Pas de climatisation dans les chambres

• Anke from Germany – 4 June 2024 (8/10)

  Tolle Lage, gute Erreichbarkeit, sehr sauber und zweckmässig
  
  What could be improved: Leider war der Abfluss der Dusche verstopft

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