Casa Accademia

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at the Accademia stop – you know, that big wooden bridge that connects Dorsoduro to San Marco – and weaving through those narrow calli with my suitcase bumping along the uneven stones. Venice in the off-season, like early November, is magical but chilly, and honestly, I was relieved to spot Casa Accademia tucked away on Fondamenta Bragadin. It’s this unassuming three-story building right on a quiet canal, not one of those flashy palazzos you see in the tourist traps, but more like a cozy guesthouse that’s been around forever. The entrance is sort of hidden – well, not really hidden, but you have to look for the brass plaque – and when I pushed open the door, the smell of fresh espresso hit me immediately, mixed with that faint, briny canal scent that seeps into everything here. Check-in was a breeze; the owner, this friendly guy named Marco (I think? Or was it Matteo?), chatted about the best way to avoid the crowds at the Guggenheim, which is literally a five-minute stroll away along Rio Terà Antonio Foscarini. No parking worries, obviously – this is Venice, after all – but if you’re hauling luggage from Piazzale Roma, it’s a solid 20-minute walk, or grab the number 1 vaporetto for a quicker ride.

What really won me over about Casa Accademia was how it felt like staying in a local’s home, you know? The rooms aren’t huge – mine was on the second floor with a view of the canal, complete with those creaky wooden floors that add character, though they might wake light sleepers if someone’s pacing above. The bed was comfy enough, with crisp white linens and a surprisingly powerful shower (hot water on demand, which isn’t always a given in older Venetian spots). Breakfast is served in this sunny little courtyard – think fresh croissants, yogurt, and decent coffee, nothing gourmet but perfect for fueling up before hitting the streets. I mean, it’s a 3-star place, so don’t expect a spa or room service, but there’s free Wi-Fi that actually works, and the air conditioning hummed quietly during my summer visit last year (yeah, I’ve been back). One minor gripe: the neighborhood can get noisy in the evenings from folks at the nearby campo, like Campo Santa Margherita, where students hang out at bars until late – but it’s authentic Venice noise, not the overwhelming tourist buzz of San Marco. Oh, and if you’re into art, the location is gold; you’re steps from the Gallerie dell’Accademia, and I spent a whole afternoon wandering to Punta della Dogana without once fighting through selfie sticks.

All in all, if you’re looking for that real Venetian vibe without breaking the bank, Casa Accademia is a solid pick – it’s got an 8.4 rating for a reason, blending charm with practicality. I’ve recommended it to friends who want to escape the San Marco madness; stay here, and you’ll feel like you’ve got your own little corner of Dorsoduro. Just book ahead in high season, like June or July, when the canals swarm with day-trippers, and maybe pack earplugs if you’re sensitive to the occasional gondola serenade drifting in. Trust me, waking up to the soft lap of water against the fondamenta makes it all worthwhile.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $90. Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 – 1 guests
• Estimated price from: $100. Superior Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 – 1 guests
• Estimated price from: $138. Twin Room with 2 single beds for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $140. Standard Double Room with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $188. Superior Double Room with View with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Ramaradja from France – 27 November 2023 (9/10)

  The location was OK. Not tasted the breakfast

• Loredana from Italy – 3 April 2025 (9/10)

  Excellent breakfast, excellent and helpful staff, wonderful location away from heavy crowds.

• Tobias from United States – 29 March 2025 (8/10)

  Casa Accademia perfectly met my expectations. Nothing fancy, but great location, a clean, well-maintained, and fairly large room, and all that for a reasonable price. Thumbs up!
  
  What could be improved: It turned out not to be a problem (because my train arrived on time), but I am not a fan of the restrictive check-in hours.

• Tanya from Poland – 23 March 2025 (9/10)

  Great staff, attentive, polite, helpful. Great location. Easy access on foot to Piazzale Roma and also to Piazza San Marco. Grocery stores nearby if needed.
  
  What could be improved: It would be nice to have a fridge in the room 🙂

• Judith from United States – 16 March 2025 (8/10)

  The Casa is a nice alternative to hotels in the area; good price and adequate facilities. Not fancy but clean and a great location (once you are able to find it). My "single" was actually a double room. No particular view but with windows that open and let in fresh air. There's an outside terrace for the third floor and a patio on the ground floor.

• Liran from Israel – 9 March 2025 (8/10)

  Very comfortable. good location

• Susie from United Kingdom – 6 March 2025 (7/10)

  It was clean, in a good location, nice facilities, and a comfy bed. The room had just enough space to walk about in- maybe would’ve felt a bit crowded for two people for a longer amount of time.
  
  What could be improved: The walls were extremely thin. I was woken up at 7:15 to someone else’s alarm going off. I tried banging on the walls and floor but I couldn’t tell where it was coming from as it sounded the same volume everywhere in my room. It went on until about 7:30 when it finally went off. I tried ringing the reception but got no answer. Also one evening at 23:30 I could hear an american woman talking on the phone word for word. She was swearing and laughing and I again had to bang on the walls until she quieted down. I understand there isn’t much the property can do about these things since they did have a sign saying the quiet hours (from I think 8:00-22:00).

• Salvatore from United Kingdom – 5 March 2025 (7/10)

  Location was close to main attractions and places I needed to go and also very quiet location
  
  What could be improved: Normal decor. I didn’t expect any extra as I knew what I booked.

• Nastasja from United Kingdom – 3 March 2025 (9/10)

  The staff were very helpful and kind.

• Leonard from United Kingdom – 3 March 2025 (9/10)

  Staff friendly and helpful room clean.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities