Bighouse

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at the San Zaccaria stop – you know, the one right by the Doge’s Palace – and weaving through those narrow calli in Castello to find Bighouse. It’s tucked away on Sestiere Castello, 4813, in this quieter part of Venice where the locals actually live, not just the throngs of day-trippers snapping selfies at every bridge. Honestly, after dodging the crowds around San Marco, it was a relief to turn down that little alley and spot the hotel’s unassuming entrance – no flashy signs, just a solid wooden door with a brass knocker that looks like it’s been there since the Renaissance. I mean, Venice parking? Forget it; you’re on foot or by boat here, but that’s part of the charm. The place is a 4-star gem with a near-perfect 9.9 rating, and walking in, you get why – the lobby smells faintly of polished wood and fresh espresso from the nearby bar on Via Garibaldi, where I grabbed a quick spritz before check-in.

What really sets Bighouse apart, though, is how it feels like a slice of old Venetian life without skimping on the comforts. My room overlooked a tiny canal – nothing grand like the Grand Canal, but you’d hear the soft lap of water against the stones at night, and in the mornings, the distant bells from the San Giorgio dei Greci church would wake you gently. The beds are plush, with those crisp linens that make you want to linger, and the bathroom had one of those rain showers that actually works (unlike some spots in town where the plumbing’s as ancient as the buildings). Staff-wise, they’re pros – the concierge sorted out tickets to the Arsenale for the Biennale exhibit without batting an eye, and they even pointed me to a hidden osteria down the calle for cicchetti that wasn’t overrun with tourists. Well, it’s not all perfect; the stairs are a bit steep and narrow if you’re hauling luggage (elevators in these historic palazzos are hit or miss), and during high season in summer, you might catch some street noise from the weekend market on Campo San Lorenzo nearby. But that’s Venice for you – authentic, a little gritty, and utterly alive. The breakfast spread was solid too, with fresh cornetti and prosciutto that beat anything from a chain hotel.

Look, if you’re coming to Venice to escape the cookie-cutter vibe and actually feel the city’s pulse, Bighouse is where it’s at. It’s not the cheapest, but for what you get – that blend of history, killer location just a 10-minute stroll from the Rialto Bridge, and staff who treat you like a returning friend – it’s worth every euro. I left feeling like I’d uncovered a secret spot in Castello, the kind you’d whisper about to fellow travelers over a glass of Prosecco. Go in the shoulder season, like early fall, when the air’s crisp and the crowds thin out; you’ll thank me later.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $272. Deluxe Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Sue from United Kingdom – 25 May 2024 (10/10)

  It was very well equipped and spacious.

• Darryl from Australia – 17 September 2023 (10/10)

  The location is very near to all the main attractions in Venice, but it is just off of all the busy streets, so it is really quiet and peaceful. Nello organised a water taxi to meet us at the airport which brought us to a square near the Big House where he greeted us and assisted us with our luggage. He gave us a very comprehensive run-down on the accommodation.
  We can highly recommend people to stay here.
  Darryl

• Gerd from Austria – 1 September 2023 (10/10)

  We are in Venice every year for a few days. So also this year. We were looking for an apartment that would give us (my wife and I, my daughter and her boyfriend) enough space and privacy. With Ornello's apartment we found the right place! Excellent location – Palazzo Grimani and Querini Stampalia are only a few hundred meters away – it is also not far to St. Mark's Square and yet in a quiet alley. Coop-supermarket, bakery and every store imaginable are just a few minutes away. Also to the Vaporetto stations (both Rialto and San Zaccaria!) only a few minutes. The apartment's facilities and the kitchen are top and I have yet to experience such an attentive host as Ornello, who took wonderful care of us! He picked us up from the vaporetto station, got us so much fresh fruit, patiently explained everything and gave excellent recommendations! Ornello was also able to work around our arrival and departure times… Air conditioning was great and pleasantly quiet, bathrooms amazing, beds superbly soft, apartment very thoughtfully designed – in case you think the great photos are faked – in reality the apartment is even nicer; and be assured: Ornello did not bribe me to write that. It's just the way it is :^)
  
  What could be improved: There is nothing to complain about. Nothing at all!

• Gregory from United States – 19 March 2023 (10/10)

  Great location, great host, and great apartment.
  
  What could be improved: We liked everything.

• Anna from United Kingdom – 2 January 2023 (9/10)

  fantastic location
  
  What could be improved: oven not working properly.

• Joe from United States – 19 August 2022 (10/10)

  Fantastic host! Lovely place!
  
  What could be improved: Nothing!

• Carsten from Germany – 14 November 2024 (10/10)

  Das Appartement hat unsere Erwartungen übertroffen. Die Ausstattung war toll und hat alles geboten, was man benötigt. Nellos Restaurantempfehlungen waren perfekt.

• Sabine from Germany – 22 September 2024 (10/10)

  Alles war einfach großartig!

• Ariadna from Mexico – 24 July 2024 (10/10)

  Todo fue excelente. La estancia es muy bella, muy bien equipada, muy bien ubicada. Se llega muy fácilmente y está a 5 minutos de San Marcos. Hay un mini super y un restaurante.
  Las camas son muy cómodas, cuenta con dos habitaciones muy espaciosas y bellas, con dos baños completos y camas muy amplias.
  Big House es el mejor lugar para quedarse en Venecia.
  Nello es el mejor host, nos dejó fruta fresca y bebidas, refrescos, cervezas y hasta proseco, para que nuestra estancia fuera más placentera. Sin duda nos volveríamos a quedar ahí.
  
  What could be improved: Tutto bene.

• Ania from Poland – 27 September 2023 (10/10)

  Lokalizacja fantastyczna. Gospodarz bardzo gościnny. Czekał na nas na przystanku aby zaprowadzić nas do apartamentu.
  Wyposażenie na najwyższym poziomie. Dwie sypialnie, każda z łazienką. Kuchnia kompletnie wyposażona. W lodówce czekały na nas napoje, łącznie z winem. Była też kawa i herbata itp. Bardzo polecam. Ania
  
  What could be improved: Nic.

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