Ca’ Belle Arti in Dorsoduro

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at the Ca’ Rezzonico stop – you know, that one right on the Grand Canal where the boats bob up and down like they’re in a hurry – and weaving my way through those narrow calle in Dorsoduro to find Ca’ Belle Arti. It’s tucked away at Dorsoduro 816, sort of hidden behind a plain door that doesn’t scream “fancy hotel,” but honestly, that’s part of the charm. I arrived in the late afternoon during that golden hour when Venice starts to quiet down after the day-trippers head out, and the check-in was a breeze – no long lines, just a friendly guy at the desk who chatted about the latest exhibit at the nearby Accademia Gallery like we were old pals. Well, I mean, he probably says that to everyone, but it felt genuine. The place is a converted palazzo, all high ceilings and those creaky wooden floors that echo a bit when you walk, but in a cozy, lived-in way, not annoyingly so. My room overlooked a little courtyard with ivy climbing the walls, and there was this faint scent of damp stone mixed with fresh coffee from the breakfast setup downstairs – sensory overload, but the good kind.

What really sets Ca’ Belle Arti apart, though – and I’m saying this as someone who’s wandered Venice enough times to know the tourist traps from the real deals – is how it plants you right in the heart of Dorsoduro without the chaos of San Marco. You’re steps from the Zattere promenade, where locals stroll along the water’s edge at sunset, grabbing gelato from that tiny spot near the Gesuati church (try the pistachio, it’s unreal). The hotel itself? Four stars, sure, but it earns that 9.4 rating with details like the plush bedding that actually lets you sleep through the night – no lumpy pillows here – and a breakfast spread of cornetti and cappuccino that’s way better than the overpriced stuff in the squares. I appreciated the air conditioning, too, because Venice in July can feel like a steam bath, and the rooms stay cool without that humming noise that keeps you up. Oh, and parking? Forget it – this is Venice, so leave the car on the mainland and embrace the walking (or water taxi if you’re splurging). One minor gripe: the Wi-Fi can be spotty in the evenings when everyone’s streaming, but hey, you’re in Italy – put the phone down and listen to the canal water lapping outside.

All in all, if you’re looking to experience Venice like a local – dodging the crowds in Campo Santa Margherita for an aperitivo, or popping into hidden galleries without the hassle – this is your spot. It’s not perfect; the neighborhood gets a tad noisy on weekend mornings with market deliveries, but that’s authentic Dorsoduro for you. I left feeling like I’d uncovered a secret, and honestly, I’d book it again in a heartbeat for that blend of comfort and real Venetian vibe. If you’re traveling off-season, say in November, it’s even better – quieter streets, and the fog rolling in adds this magical, almost eerie touch to your stay.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $383. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 single beds and 1 large double bed for 1 – 4 guests

Reviews

• Sandy from United States – 31 March 2025 (10/10)

  2 comfortable beds. 2 great bathrooms.
  Beautiful apartment. Would definitely stay here again!

• Brian from Switzerland – 2 December 2024 (10/10)

  Dorsoduro is a great location to stay as it is quiet and out of the way of too many tourists. However this apartment is an easy vaporetto trip from the car park and also within easy walking district of all the main sites – or catch a vaporetto from the stop only a few metres away. Very quiet location. The apartment had been beautifully renovated and the standard of decoration was excellent. Wonderful fluffy towels when so many rentals have poor quality. Very comfortable sitting room with proper lighting to read books. The beds were excellent qualty and the kitchen had all that was required. Host was super efficient with communication.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing really to complain about. You could complain that there is not much of a view from the windows and most face north but given the usual Venetian heat north facing is an advantage and if you want a view you can walk 20 metres to the Zattere and drink it (and a spritz) in.

• Andreas from Netherlands – 11 November 2024 (10/10)

  Great and quiet location , super nice apartment, anytime again !

• Devan from United States – 15 June 2024 (10/10)

  The staff is amazing!! Upon arrival an agent was waiting for us at the water taxi drop off. She made sure to show us exactly how to get to the property and explained all of the amenities in detail. By far the best service we have had in Italy. the apartment itself was very roomie and accommodated 4 adults with ease.

• Tracey from United Kingdom – 16 February 2024 (9/10)

  Size and cleanliness and style of apartment. Location is perfect
  
  What could be improved: The shower over the bath doesn’t work very well but the main shower is very good.

• Gemma from United Kingdom – 7 January 2025 (8/10)

  The apartment is located in a very peaceful and quiet area of Venice, which made for a great night’s sleep. The beds were very comfy, which we really appreciated after walking and sightseeing all day. The kitchen was well-equipped and had everything we needed to cook, though an oven would have been a nice addition. Overall, the location was calm and relaxing, a nice break from the busier parts of the city.
  
  What could be improved: On our first night, my children woke up with several mosquito bites each. We ended up killing quite a few throughout our stay using the spray provided, which suggests this might be an ongoing issue. While it didn’t hugely impact our experience, it would be helpful if there were better solutions in place to address the problem. Overall, while the apartment has a lot of charm, the wear and tear is more noticeable than we expected. There were a few areas with peeling wallpaper and stains on the sofas and walls, which made it feel a bit tired and worn down. The apartment was also a bit dark inside, though I imagine that’s normal in Venice with the buildings so close together. It would be great if the owners could take advantage of the off-season to freshen things up—it has great potential to be a stunning space with just some TLC.

• Valerie from Canada – 19 October 2022 (7/10)

  quiet location close to transport, good size for 2 people, met by a very nice gentlemen who escorted us from the vaporetto to the apartment and the 50 Euro fee for doing so was waived
  
  What could be improved: we were bitten alive…most likely bed bugs, excessive cleaning fee of 110 Euro, needs painting, stair tread carpet holders were broken, stair railing loose – dangerous

• Joelle from France – 20 March 2025 (10/10)

  Excellente communication et disponibilité. Le souci du service client, de guider et donner des informations. Nous avons particulièrement apprécié que nous soyons pris en charge dès notre arrivée et guidés jusqu’à l’appartement. Excellente prestation, que des points positifs.
  
  What could be improved: RAS

• Alessandra from Italy – 2 January 2024 (10/10)

  La dimora
  
  What could be improved: Nulla

• Giulia from Italy – 28 September 2023 (10/10)

  Appartamento molto bello, accogliente, dotato di due belle camere matrimoniali e due bagni, salotto e cucina spaziosi. Posizione ottima a dorsoduro, a 15 min a piedi da piazza san marco. Ottimo per max 4 persone. Ci tornerei volentieri!
  
  What could be improved: Nulla da segnalare

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