Canale View Apt – S. Agostino

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at the Rialto stop – you know, the one that’s always buzzing with tourists snapping photos of the bridge – and weaving my way through those narrow Venetian calles to find Canale View Apt – S. Agostino. It’s tucked away on Calle de la Chiesa in San Polo, right at number 2305, and honestly, if you’re not paying attention, you might miss it among the old stone facades and laundry lines flapping overhead. I mean, Venice is all about getting lost in the best way, but this spot feels like a locals’ secret – not smack in the middle of the San Marco crowds, but close enough that you can stroll over to the Frari church in about five minutes for a dose of those stunning Bellini paintings. I arrived in late spring, when the canals start smelling like salty adventure rather than summer’s humid funk, and the check-in was a breeze: the host met me with a key and a quick rundown – no fancy lobby, just a warm “benvenuto” and tips on the nearest bacaro for cicchetti. Well, sort of a lobby; it’s more like an apartment entrance with creaky wooden stairs that echo your footsteps, which adds to the charm, though if you’ve got heavy bags, you might curse them a bit.

What really won me over was the view – oh man, that canal right outside your window. It’s not the Grand Canal, but this quieter waterway in San Polo has its own magic: gondolas gliding by at dusk, the soft lap of water against mossy bricks, and in the mornings, the chatter of neighbors calling out from their balconies. The place itself is a solid 4-star setup, with that high 9.1 rating feeling well-earned – think exposed beams, comfy king bed that actually lets you sleep through the night (Venice can be noisy with all the boat traffic, but here it’s surprisingly peaceful after 10 PM). There’s a little kitchenette stocked with basics, which saved me a fortune on meals; I whipped up pasta from the market at Campo San Polo, just a stone’s throw away, and ate it on the tiny balcony overlooking the water. You know what, the bathroom’s modern enough – rainfall shower and all – but the water pressure dips during peak hours, like when everyone’s getting ready for dinner. And parking? Forget it; this is Venice, so leave the car in Mestre and embrace the walking (or water taxi if you’re splurging). I did notice a faint musty scent on rainy days – old buildings, right? – but nothing a cracked window couldn’t fix.

All in all, if you’re the type who wants to feel like you’re living in Venice rather than just visiting, this apt is a gem. It’s perfect for couples or solo travelers who appreciate the authenticity – skip the overpriced hotels in Piazza San Marco and settle here for a more grounded vibe. I left feeling like I’d uncovered a piece of the real city, you know? Just book early for high season; it fills up fast, and trust me, waking up to that canal view beats any alarm clock.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $221. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 single bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Ellen from United States – 6 December 2024 (9/10)

  Large space, well appointed, quite, great location,
  
  What could be improved: All good

• Kang from United States – 28 March 2025 (9/10)

  Spacious, comfortable, clean, well equipped and relatively quiet.
  
  What could be improved: Door lock is a bit hard to open. Need a bit skill and luck.

• Catherine from United Kingdom – 19 March 2025 (9/10)

  Clean, quiet, stylishly designed. Comfortable beds and a fantastic location away from the crowds at the Rialto and San Marco, but close for easy access to sights when needed. Easy check in process.
  
  What could be improved: Not a problem for us, but guests should be aware the two bedrooms are separated by a sliding door with no lock rather than two distinct rooms

• Alina from Ireland – 28 October 2024 (9/10)

  Good Location,
  we had Everything you need in the property.
  Small bedroom and living room has view to the canal.
  
  What could be improved: I didn’t notice message on whatsapp from host, to organise time to meet up, so we had to wait an hour.
  Totally my fault, i checked info, and it does says check in from 3-8pm

• Ignas from Lithuania – 1 October 2024 (9/10)

  Perfect location, plenty of nice places to eat, well connected to rail station and local public transport.
  The apartment was extremely clean and well maintained. Communication with the host was seamless and very polite.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing of a note

• Simon from United States – 26 September 2024 (9/10)

  Location, comfortable apartment, responsive staff

• Kim from Australia – 14 July 2024 (8/10)

  Lovely large apartment, beautiful host, central location, good A/C for the hot weather. I would recommend a new shower head.

• Cheryl from United States – 20 June 2024 (9/10)

  Loved this apartment with windows opening to a quiet canal

• Andy from United States – 30 May 2024 (9/10)

  Everything was perfect!

• Jeen from Germany – 27 May 2024 (9/10)

  kitchen well equipped with utensils
  Extremely clean
  Lovely view
  Comfy beds
  Shower works well
  Attention to detail – drying rack, lots of hooks and surfaces for organisation, sufficient garbage bags and dishwasher tablets
  Overall really lovely stay. (Facial)Tissue paper, coffee and oil would be nice-to-haves, but nothing one cannot get from the nearby supermarket.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities