Casa al Ponte Scudi – 4 Windows on the Canal

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon Casa al Ponte Scudi almost by accident last spring, wandering through the Castello sestiere after getting off the vaporetto at Arsenale – it’s that quieter part of Venice where the locals actually live, away from the San Marco crush. The address is Calle dei Scudi 2655, tucked right on a narrow canal with this little bridge – Ponte Scudi, I think it’s called – that you cross to get in. Honestly, my first thought was, “Whoa, this feels like stepping into someone’s old Venetian home,” because it’s not one of those glossy chain hotels; it’s more like a restored palazzo with just a handful of rooms, and yeah, that 4-star rating with a 9.2 score? It earns it without trying too hard. I arrived a bit sweaty from lugging my bag over the cobbles – no cars in Venice, remember – and the check-in was super low-key, just a friendly host handing over a massive old key and pointing out the communal kitchen downstairs where you can grab an espresso any time. No elevator, mind you, so if stairs aren’t your thing, well, pack light or ask for a ground-floor spot.

What really hooked me were those four windows overlooking the canal – the hotel’s name isn’t kidding. My room had these tall, shuttered ones that let in the soft lapping sounds of the water at night, mixed with that faint salty tang from the lagoon, you know? Mornings, I’d wake up to the distant clang of church bells from Santa Maria Formosa, maybe a gondolier humming as he passed by – it’s magical, but not in a touristy way; Castello keeps it real with spots like Via Garibaldi just a five-minute stroll away, where you can snag fresh seafood at a no-frills osteria or people-watch the neighborhood kids playing soccer. The rooms themselves are cozy, with those high ceilings and exposed beams that make you feel like you’re in a piece of history – think plush beds, modern bathrooms that don’t clash with the old vibes, and little touches like fresh flowers on the nightstand. Oh, and the Wi-Fi’s surprisingly solid for such an old building, which saved me when I needed to book a last-minute ticket to the Biennale gardens (super close, by the way, if you’re into art). It’s not perfect – the canal can get a bit noisy with delivery boats early in the morning during high season, say June or July, and the breakfast spread is simple (croissants, yogurt, that sort of thing) rather than a massive buffet – but that’s part of the charm, I mean, it forces you to venture out to a local pasticceria instead.

All in all, if you’re after that authentic slice of Venice without the overwhelming crowds – think dodging tour groups in Piazza San Marco – this place is a gem. It’s perfect for couples or solo travelers who want to unwind in a spot that feels lived-in, maybe sip wine on the tiny terrace watching the sunset reflect off the water. I’ve stayed in fancier hotels here, but none captured the soul of the city like this one. Book ahead, especially in fall when the fog rolls in and it gets even more atmospheric – you won’t regret it.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $341. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 2 sofa beds for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Rachel from United States – 18 September 2024 (10/10)

  The apartment was decorated beautifully and looked just like the pictures. The apartment is a little bit off the beaten path compared to some other areas of Venice but it was such a lovely and quiet area to stay and there was no issue walking to other parts of the city (and it is also close enough to the vaporetto stops to easily take that around when needed). The apartment had all the amenities you would need. A great kitchen, two great bathrooms (including a wonderful tub), air conditioning, views of the canals, etc. The hosts were super responsive as well. We most likely would stay here again when in Venice or at another one of their properties in a different location.

• Catherine from United Kingdom – 13 January 2025 (10/10)

  Beautiful, central location – excellent communication with the hosts, lovely authentic decor
  
  What could be improved: We loved it all

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

  The location was in a quiet neighborhood just a short walk to the grand canal. The only noise was from people talking as they walked over the bridge or the occasional boat going down the canal but nothing really loud and we enjoyed these neighborhood sounds. This was a great area to be in for a first visit to Venice. We had everything we needed for our stay and felt the property was just as described. Directions to get there were excellent and we appreciated the helpful guide book to the area provided by the host. Would love to come back and stay again!
  
  What could be improved: There were a lot of light switches — it might be helpful to label some of them just to save on having to guess.

• John from Australia – 29 July 2024 (10/10)

  Excellent location and really nice apartment

• Yuri from Belgium – 17 May 2024 (10/10)

  Everything about this place is great: location, space and hosts
  
  What could be improved: no complains

• Konstantinos from Greece – 12 May 2024 (10/10)

  It has a great view and very clean !!

• Salman from Saudi Arabia – 22 July 2023 (10/10)

  The hospitality and the apartment

• Lisa from Australia – 6 July 2023 (9/10)

  Great location and beautiful inside
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Sofia from Italy – 15 May 2023 (10/10)

  It was wonderful apartment . The hostess was very friendly and attentive. It was very nice that there were drinks in the fridge.
  Apartment with a fresh beautiful renovation with a wonderful view of the canal

• Darko from Slovenia – 3 May 2023 (9/10)

  Nice decoration and good location.
  
  What could be improved: The lady which handed us the keys asked us to bring the separated garbage on designated dates (one day for mixed, another for recycables and paper…) to the collection site (boat), because Venice has a strict garbage separation policy. This was a burden for us how to do it, and we couldn't make it on time because we slept longer. But on the departure day
  the cleaning lady was very kind and told us she'll take care of the garbage. So everything was fine at the end.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities