Ca’ Fenice, charming apartment in San Marco, sleep 7

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at San Marco Vallaresso stop – you know, the one that’s always buzzing with day-trippers snapping selfies at the lagoon – and weaving my way through those narrow alleys to Calle Minelli. It’s this tucked-away little street right behind the La Fenice opera house, honestly one of those spots where you feel like you’ve slipped into old Venice without the full tourist crush. Ca’ Fenice is actually an apartment, not your standard hotel room, and it sleeps up to seven, which was perfect for our group of friends crashing there last spring. We arrived a bit jet-lagged, and check-in was super straightforward – the host met us at the door with keys and a quick rundown in broken English (and a bit of Italian we muddled through). No fancy lobby or bellhop, but that’s Venice for you; everything’s on foot or by boat, and parking? Forget it, there’s none – but hey, that’s part of the charm, right? The place has this lived-in feel, with creaky wooden floors that echo like they’re straight out of a history book, and the faint salty whiff from the nearby canals seeping in when you crack a window.

What really won me over was how it balances that classic Venetian vibe with enough modern touches to make you comfortable. The apartment’s spread out over a couple of levels – think high ceilings, exposed beams, and these antique-y furnishings that aren’t too precious, you know? We had a full kitchen where we whipped up pasta from the market at Rialto (just a 10-minute strollFerno walk over, honestly, and the bedrooms were spacious enough for all of us without feeling crammed. There’s even a little balcony overlooking the calle, perfect for people-watching – well, mostly locals hurrying by with shopping bags, since it’s off the main drag. Noise-wise, it’s quieter than you’d expect in San Marco; sure, you hear the occasional gondola serenade drifting up from Rio della Verona nearby, or church bells from Santa Maria del Giglio, but it’s not the non-stop clamor of Piazza San Marco, which is only a five-minute stroll away. We loved popping over there early morning before the crowds hit, grabbing espresso at a no-name café on Campo Santo Stefano – way better than the overpriced spots by the basilica. That said, the Wi-Fi can be spotty, especially in peak season like July when everyone’s streaming; I mean, it’s an old building, so don’t expect lightning speed. And the stairs – oh man, they’re steep, no elevator, which might be a hassle if you’re lugging heavy bags or traveling with kids.

All in all, if you’re after something authentic that feels like your own slice of Venice rather than a sterile hotel chain, Ca’ Fenice is a solid pick, especially for families or groups splitting costs – we paid way less per person than solo rooms elsewhere. It’s got that 7.9 rating for a reason: charming without trying too hard, and smack in the heart of things but with enough seclusion to unwind. Just time your visit for shoulder season, like April or October, when the alleys aren’t packed and you can actually hear the water lapping instead of tour groups. I’d go back in a heartbeat – maybe catch an opera at La Fenice next door, you know? – because places like this remind you why Venice steals your heart, creaks and all.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $605. Apartment with 2 × 1 double bed, 2 single beds and 1 single bed for Max persons: 6

Reviews

• Superb – Barbara from United Kingdom – 21 September 2024 (9/10)

  The apartment was large and airy. Very well equipped. The location was excellent.
  
  What could be improved: One of the toilets was broken ,the kettle and coffee machine were faulty.

• The stairs are the stairs but the apartment is lovely – Anne from Canada – 6 July 2024 (9/10)

  Lots of room to accommodate our group and a great location. We really liked it. If you get a private taxi from the train station it is about 90EUR but it gets you almost to the door which is great in Venice!
  
  What could be improved: Ok, so there is no getting around it. 65 stairs are 65 stairs. There is no lift. You do not want to forget anything when you leave!

• The place is comfortable; however, the only challenge is that we all have luggage, and there is no elevator. It was quit – Anthee from Australia – 26 March 2024 (7/10)

  Good location
  Living room is spacious
  
  What could be improved: Stairs
  No elevator
  No lights at the front of the property

• Beautiful apartment, felt like home. And great location. Perfect for our family. 😊 – Reetta from Finland – 3 June 2025 (10/10)

  Location was perfect.

• Amazing location and apartment! – Kelly from Malta – 24 February 2025 (10/10)

  Very spacious apartment, location is 5 minutes away from piazza san marco. Although it does not have a lift and quite a lot of stairs, it has preserved its character and was great for a group of 6 people. The host Paolo was very helpful and gave us some useful information while there. 10/10

• Exceptional – Raluca from Romania – 11 September 2022 (10/10)

  everything perfect ! highy recommend this property

• Average – Anne from Australia – 2 July 2024 (5/10)

  Good location. Breakfast was not included.
  
  What could be improved: The apartment advertised the it was air conditioned. Only 2 of the 4 bedrooms were air conditioned and the air conditioning in the living room/kitchen was not working. The hot water system was also not working well, with a number of cold showers being had by the 5 guests. We contacted Mario who did have the air con attended to but unfortunately despite being told the hot water system was fixed, there was no hot water.

• Appartamento in stile veneziano – Turner_17 from Italy – 30 May 2024 (9/10)

  Posizione ottimale per passare qualche giorno a Venezia. L'appartamento era completo di tutto e molto grande, zona giorno al piano e camere e bagni al piano superiore. Due soggiorni comodi per il relax serale e cucina grande e confortevole per le colazioni. L'appartamento è luminoso e fa un bell'effetto. L'ambiente è accogliente, si vede che è stato vissuto dal proprietario:ci sono libri e CD che danno personalità alle stanze.
  
  What could be improved: Non c'è ascensore e ci sono alcune rampe di scale ( per noi non è stato un problema, ma è da tenere in conto). La pulizia dei mobili belli ma datati va curata meglio. Gli armadi poco funzionali; non c'era spazio per appendere. Abbiamo tenuto molte cose in valigia.

• Very good – Klaus from Austria – 18 October 2023 (8/10)

  Die Größe des Appartements für sieben Personen war sehr angenehm, die Lage war ausgezeichnet, das check in und out hat bestens funktioniert.

• Tolle Lage, viel Platz, insgesamt aber etwas heruntergekommen – Stephanie from Germany – 22 April 2025 (7/10)

  Extrem gute Lage und wirklich sehr viel Platz. Tolle Aussicht über die Dächer der Stadt. Für italienische Verhältnisse lange und relativ bequeme Betten. Sehr netter und unkomplizierter Vermieter. Man kann gemütlich in der Küche sitzen.
  
  What could be improved: Die ganze Wohnung ist bei weitem nicht in dem Zustand, den die Fotos vermitteln. Alles ist etwas heruntergekommen, die Zimmer- und Badtüren schließen nur schlecht/mit Kraft, warmes Wasser braucht ewig und tröpfelt nur. Die Austattung könnte deutlich großzügiger sein: keine Schränke, nicht an jedem Bett ein Nachttisch, Elektrik ist in keinster Weise kindersicher! Und Achtung: die Wohnung ist im 4. Stock ohne Aufzug, in der Wohnung führt eine weitere Treppe nach oben zu den Schlafräumen und Bädern!

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities