Casa Venier

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon Casa Venier kind of by accident last spring, right when the tourist crowds in Venice were starting to swell but hadn’t quite hit peak madness yet – that sweet spot in late April when the canals still smell fresh, like salty mist mixed with blooming wisteria, rather than the summer funk. It’s tucked away at San Marco 1721, just off the bustle of Calle Larga XXII Marzo, which is that fancy shopping street with all the high-end boutiques like Gucci and whatnot, but honestly, the hotel itself feels more like a hidden gem in one of those narrow side alleys where locals duck in for a quick espresso. I arrived via vaporetto from Santa Lucia station – about a 20-minute ride to San Marco Vallaresso stop, then a short walk dragging my suitcase over a couple of bridges, which, I mean, is par for the course in Venice, no cars and all that. Check-in was a breeze; the owner – this warm, chatty guy named Marco who grew up in the neighborhood – greeted me with a glass of prosecco and some tips on avoiding the pigeon hordes in Piazza San Marco, which is literally a five-minute stroll away. The building’s an old palazzo, you can tell from the creaky wooden beams and those uneven stone steps leading up – no elevator, so pack light if you’re on an upper floor, but hey, it adds to the charm, right?

What really won me over, though, was how it balances that authentic Venetian vibe without feeling stuffy or overpriced for a 3-star spot – and with a 9 rating, it’s no surprise people rave about it. My room overlooked a quiet rio (that’s a small canal, for the uninitiated), and at night, you’d hear the gentle lap of water against the walls, maybe a distant gondolier humming, but nothing like the party noise from the bigger squares. The bed was comfy, with those crisp linens that smell faintly of lavender soap, and the bathroom had one of those rain showers that make you linger – though, well, the water pressure could be a tad finicky in the mornings when everyone’s rushing for breakfast. Speaking of which, their continental spread is simple but spot-on: fresh cornetti, yogurt, and cappuccino strong enough to wake the dead, served in a cozy courtyard where you can people-watch without being in the thick of it. I wandered out to La Fenice opera house, just around the corner – seriously, like two minutes – and caught a show one evening; coming back to the hotel felt like retreating to your own little sanctuary. Oh, and if you’re into history, Marco mentioned the place was once a noble family’s residence back in the 1700s – you can feel it in the faded frescoes on the walls, sort of timeworn but elegant.

All in all, if you’re looking for a place that lets you dive into Venice’s magic without the impersonal hotel chain feel, Casa Venier is it – especially off-season when the rates dip and the whole San Marco area quiets down after 8 p.m. It’s not perfect; the Wi-Fi can be spotty in the back rooms (blame the thick stone walls, I guess), and if you’re sensitive to humidity, bring a dehumidifier packet for your luggage. But honestly, for the price and that insider location – steps from hidden gems like the Libreria Acqua Alta bookstore or a quick boat hop to the Rialto Market – it’s a steal. I’d go back in a heartbeat, maybe in autumn when the fog rolls in and makes everything even more atmospheric. You should too, if you want to feel like you’ve actually lived in Venice for a bit, not just passed through.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $157. Economy Double Room with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $186. Double Room with Private Bathroom with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $225. Triple Room with Private Bathroom with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for 1 – 3 guests
• Estimated price from: $235. Deluxe Triple Room with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for 1 – 3 guests

Reviews

• Madalina from Romania – 3 March 2025 (9/10)

  The location is amazing. Close to everything. We were able to enjoy Venice Carnival and visit a lot of touristic objectives due to the location. Svitlana was very helpful. She came to meet us in order to give us in person some explanations we needed. Thank you, Svitlana. Till next time.

• Kirti from India – 5 January 2025 (9/10)

  Location was great, walking distance from Rialto and the DOGE's palace

• Capozziello from United States – 14 October 2024 (9/10)

  The location was perfext. Just 6 minutes walk from the ferry. Keep in mind you will wak over 2 bridges so don't bring large suitcases.
  
  What could be improved: I loved everything. This was one of my favorite stays. They even provide fresh coffee beans to make coffee with.

• Ramon from United States – 10 October 2024 (9/10)

  Location
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Scrawny from New Zealand – 1 October 2024 (9/10)

  The location was brilliant, close to everything in San Marco and easy to find. The owner gave great instructions. Room was comfortable, clean and we were very happy we chose this property.
  
  What could be improved: No complaints

• Stephen from Australia – 30 September 2024 (9/10)

  This is a great place to stay in San Marco Venice. We absolutely loved the location. The facilities were good and we were well looked after by Svitlana. The communication and information was excellent as was the prompt checkin. The coffee and biscuits in the room was lovely.
  
  What could be improved: There was a slight problem with the bathroom sink and there was a small amount of outside noise some mornings as workers started their day in the lane. You have to climb up some stairs to get to first floor room. Overall very happy.

• Michele918 from United States – 25 September 2024 (8/10)

  Location was excellent! Loved size of room.
  
  What could be improved: Could hear neighbors.

• Cynthia from United States – 16 September 2024 (9/10)

  The location is perfect. It is a very short walk to all the main attractions in Venice.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Angella from United Kingdom – 15 September 2024 (9/10)

  The location was about half-way between St Marks and the Rialto bridge – 5 minutes either way.

• Ann from Australia – 15 September 2024 (9/10)

  Location
  
  What could be improved: No smart tv.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities