Arsenale Design Apartment R&R

Hotel Description

I remember stumbling upon the Arsenale Design Apartment R&R after a long vaporetto ride from the airport – you know, the kind where you’re dodging tourists with massive suitcases on the water bus. It’s tucked away on Calle del Tagiapiera in Castello, this quieter neighborhood that’s honestly a breath of fresh air compared to the chaos around San Marco. I mean, Venice can feel overwhelming with all the crowds, but here you’re just a 10-minute walk from the Arsenale’s massive old shipyard gates – that place has this cool, historic vibe, like you’re stepping into the city’s naval past without the selfie sticks everywhere. The address is Castello 2251, and if you’re navigating by foot, watch for the narrow alley that sneaks off from the main drag; I got a bit turned around at first, but that’s Venice for you – no cars, just your legs and a good map app. When I finally buzzed in, the check-in was super straightforward, almost self-service style with a code they emailed ahead, which was a lifesaver after a delayed flight. No fancy lobby, but it felt personal, like crashing at a friend’s stylish pad.

What really won me over was the design inside – it’s got this modern, minimalist thing going on with exposed brick walls that nod to the building’s age (Venice structures are ancient, after all), mixed with sleek furniture and these big windows letting in that soft lagoon light. My apartment had a little kitchenette, perfect for whipping up espresso from the nearby market on Via Garibaldi – oh, that’s a spot you shouldn’t miss; it’s this lively street just around the corner with local vendors selling fresh produce and cheap cicchetti bars where Venetians actually hang out, not just tour groups. The bed was comfy, with those crisp linens that smell faintly of lavender (or maybe that’s just the canal air sneaking in), and the bathroom had a rain shower that was a godsend after wandering the humid streets all day. Noise-wise, it’s pretty peaceful at night – you might hear the occasional boat horn from the nearby canal, but nothing like the party vibes in Dorsoduro. Well, one minor gripe: no elevator, so if you’ve got heavy bags, pack light or brace for the stairs – it’s only a couple flights, but in summer heat, it can be a workout. And speaking of seasons, I visited in early fall, when the Biennale Gardens are blooming a short stroll away, making it ideal for art lovers without the peak tourist crush of July.

Honestly, if you’re looking for a spot that feels like real Venice – not the postcard version – this place is a solid choice with its 8.3 rating earning every point. It’s got that 4-star polish without being stuffy, and being in Castello means you’re close enough to hop over to St. Mark’s Square for the must-sees (about a 15-minute walk across the bridges), but you can escape back to quieter evenings sipping wine on your balcony, watching locals chat in the campo below. I left feeling like I’d actually lived a slice of Venetian life, you know? Sure, it’s not the cheapest, but for the design flair and that insider location – think easy access to the vaporetto stop at Arsenale for day trips to Murano – it’s worth it. If crowds stress you out or you want some authentic downtime, book it; just remember to wander down to that little bakery on Riva degli Schiavoni for morning pastries – trust me, it’s a game-changer.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $240. Superior Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Great apartment ! – Kate from Australia – 17 August 2024 (8/10)

  Great location for exploring Venice for 3 days, very close to Vaparetto
  
  What could be improved: Really small apartment, we were travelling as a group of 6 (4 young children), of they were any bigger it simply would not have worked for us

• Good place to stay – Wanderingphoenix from United Kingdom – 28 June 2023 (9/10)

  Location and it has complete kitchenette to cook.
  Beds are comfortable too. 1 is toilet and 1 is toilet and bath
  
  What could be improved: It will be good to provide pillow case for the 2 extra pillow found in the room.
  1 flight of stairs to take, so if you have big luggages it will be a bit of a challenge. Stairs is a bit steep.

• perfect location and a clean flat, well equipped and nice bedroom. sound proofing not great as very thin walls to next f – Kirsty from United Kingdom – 22 May 2023 (7/10)

  I liked the fact the location was perfect, very central but also in a nice quiet street.
  
  What could be improved: The bedrooms were nice, but the living area was quite small and basic, however we weren’t in it much so it was fine for the 2 of us, however if there were more people we would feel it cramped.
  The sound proofing was poor between the flat and the one next door, we could hear everything, coughing, chatting and tv, luckily they weren’t noisy and it didn’t disturb us but we were aware they could hear us too.
  the sheets were clean, however there was blood stains on one of the pillows when we arrived which was off putting.

• Nice but not incredible – Tomás from Spain – 13 May 2023 (7/10)

  The location is great. The place in general is OK, but nothing to get crazy. Just OK, functional.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing wrong but for that price it could be a little bigger!

• Very good – Sheila from United States – 22 August 2022 (8/10)

  A little small for 6 people – but we did not spend a lot of time in the apartment; and expected it to be a little small. Excellent location. Very clean and nice.

• It was good. – Mikel from United States – 6 May 2024 (8/10)

  Location is good, centric and silent.
  
  What could be improved: There is no 3rd room. It's the living room itself, so that's not very confortable. Also, check in not available after 00:00 am is a minus, we got a late flight and they woundn´t let us check in even with the reservation done.

• Location location location!!! – Elizabeth from United States – 7 September 2023 (7/10)

  Location, Quiet and within walking distance of everything.
  
  What could be improved: Our allergies went crazy when in the back bedroom. Not sure why, could not smell anything. Maybe the AC filters need replacing.

• Great location to experience how it is to live in Venice – Leanne from Australia – 23 December 2022 (7/10)

  We loved the location of this apartment. Close to Piazza San Marco in a quiet part of Venice. Easy to access transport. Communication was fantastic.
  
  What could be improved: The kitchen had only one utensil, a ladle! One of the bathrooms is only a powder room as it only has a toilet and sink. The main bathroom shower needs a good clean, lots of mould. The apartment is smaller than it looks on the photos.

• Good location – Mihael from Italy – 2 December 2023 (8/10)

  The location is fantastic for visitors of the Biennale and anyone who wants to stay outside of the main touristic area.
  Communication before arrival worked well, check in was easy to arrange.
  
  What could be improved: Overall the apartment was nice, but there were 6 of us and it was quite tight, especially since basically there's no living area when the sofa bed is pulled out.
  Cleanliness could be improved, the floors were dusty and partly also stained.
  Overall the price was quite high for what it is, despite the great location.

• Well located and all that you need for small stay in Venice with no more than 4 people. – Felipe from United Kingdom – 17 April 2023 (8/10)

  The apartment is very small, but have everything you need to stay in venice, for cooking, washing your clothes, etc.
  The location and are home appliances are very good.
  
  What could be improved: I couldn't do any better for the size of the apartment. However, the host would be more nicer if can spend more time to explain the apartment and give us a more warm welcome with a dish/drink as the other 3 apartments that I book during my trip in Italy in other cities.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities