Giudecca Green Apartment

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at the Palanca stop on Giudecca – you know, that little island just a quick boat ride across from the Dorsoduro side of Venice – and feeling like I’d escaped the mad crush of tourists around San Marco. The Giudecca Green Apartment is tucked away at 681a Sestiere Giudecca, in this surprisingly leafy corner that honestly feels more like a quiet neighborhood than the postcard Venice everyone imagines. I mean, it’s not all canals and gondolas here; there’s actual green space – think little gardens and paths where locals walk their dogs in the evenings – and the building itself has this charming, lived-in vibe with its pale stone facade and those big windows that let in the salty lagoon breeze. Checking in was a breeze, too; the host met me right at the door with a set of keys and a quick rundown on the best nearby bakery for morning cornetti – none of that impersonal hotel lobby nonsense. Oh, and parking? Forget it if you’re driving; Venice is car-free, but if you’re coming from the mainland, just hop the ferry from Tronchetto and you’re golden. The place is rated a solid 9 out of 10 for good reason – it’s got that four-star polish without feeling stuffy, with a kitchen that’s actually stocked (I whipped up pasta with fresh clams from the market down the Fondamenta delle Convertite), and beds that are comfy enough to sink into after a day of wandering.

What really sets it apart, though – and this is coming from someone who’s stayed in a dozen spots around Venice – is how it captures that authentic island life without the chaos. Giudecca’s got this mellow rhythm; mornings are quiet, with just the hum of fishing boats and the distant clang of church bells from Il Redentore, that stunning Palladian church a short stroll away. The apartment’s on the green side, sort of overlooking some communal gardens where you can smell rosemary and jasmine in the air during spring – it’s not luxe like the Cipriani across the way, but way more approachable, and cheaper too. I loved the little balcony for sipping prosecco at sunset, watching the lights flicker on over the Giudecca Canal; it’s got views that rival those fancy hotels on the Grand Canal, but without the constant vaporetto traffic noise. That said, it’s not perfect – the stairs up to the unit can be a haul if you’ve got heavy bags (no elevator, classic Venice), and in high summer, the humidity sneaks in, so pack light layers. But honestly, for families or couples wanting space – it’s more apartment than hotel room, with a washer and all – it’s ideal. You’re steps from hidden gems like the tiny trattoria on Calle Michelangelo where they serve the freshest sarde in saor, and it’s a world away from the overpriced spots in San Polo.

You should care about this place if you’re after the real Venice, the one where you can linger over an espresso without elbowing through crowds. It’s not for the faint-hearted who need everything on their doorstep – you’ll vaporetto over to the main sights, which takes about 10 minutes to Zattere for gelato or the Accademia – but that’s the charm, right? Well, at least for me it was; I left feeling like I’d actually lived there a bit, not just passed through. If you’re planning a trip in shoulder season, like October when the fog rolls in and everything’s magical and less packed, this is your spot – book it before the word gets out.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $246. Apartment with 2 double beds and 2 sofa beds for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Exceptional – Liviu from Canada – 13 February 2024 (10/10)

  All was perfect
  
  What could be improved: All was good

• Tip-top – Milan from Germany – 25 December 2023 (10/10)

  The flat is large and quiet.

• Superb – Nicolas from Belgium – 5 November 2023 (9/10)

  We pretty much loved the location, in a very calm area, far from the tourist crowd, and in the same time very close to everything with the vaporetto.

• A great place to spend your holidays in Venice – Thomas from Austria – 31 October 2023 (10/10)

  Great location, fantastic host – easy to communicate with, very well equipped apartment, nice bars and restaurants in the neighbourhood but less touristy than other areas in Venice
  
  What could be improved: There was nothing we did not like

• Хорошая квартира для посещения Венеции. – Anastasiia from Netherlands – 23 August 2023 (8/10)

  Good location on a separate quiet island near the main Venice. The island has a great view of Venice.
  Nice apartment with everything you need, there is a kitchen with utensils, you can cook. There is also a washing machine and iron.
  The hostess is always in touch and many thanks to the worker who met us late in the evening. And she was waiting for us.
  There is also a balcony overlooking a cozy green courtyard.
  
  What could be improved: The air conditioner is practically useless, because when you use it, you cannot close the window and the hot air from the street is still in the room. And it's also very loud.
  Also not very good Wi-Fi.

• A great way to combine the bustle of Venice with a peaceful retreat – David from United Kingdom – 10 August 2023 (9/10)

  Peaceful, quiet location and very homely.

• Charming Apartment on Giudecca Island – Ford from Poland – 16 July 2023 (9/10)

  The apartment is located on the island of Giudecca, a brief voyage on the vaporetto from main part of Venice. It is hidden in a quiet courtyard (although from the bedroom you get a glimpse of the lagoon between houses) full of trees (major rarity in Venice). You get a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and a dining room with a balcony large enough to have a meal al fresco. The apartment is nicely and cosily furnished, you get here everything you need when you want to spend a few days in Venice. The island provides all the necessary services – there is a supermarket nearby and there is a number of restaurants and shops on the waterfront. The Alilaguna fast boat from the airport stop is one hundred meters away from the apartment.
  
  What could be improved: It is not that I did not like it – it is Venice, after all, so it is something one needs to get used to. The island of Giudecca is not connected with the main part of the city by any bridge so you have to use the vaporetti and they are not cheap so factor that in when you are calculating the costs of the stay. The simplest way is to buy a daily/3 days/weekly ticket, single tickets make little sense (unless you desperately want to sponsor Venice and the local urban transport).

• A delight to be savoured in the calm of the evening at the end of a day out and about in the city. – Mark from United Kingdom – 28 June 2023 (8/10)

  The apartment met our needs and much exceeded our expectations – it is light and airy and in a delightful location far from the maddening crowds of Venice in season. It is well equipped, better than many of the apartments that we have stayed in over the years. The bed was comfortable, unusual as the general tendency seems to be to provide mattresses of unendurable hardness. Our host was attentive and the epitome of courtesy. For an elderly vegetarian couple not in a hurry, accustomed to Venice and its transport system it was ideal. Perhaps for someone on a brief vist to see the major sights it might be thought to be a little distant from the centre but at the same time there are a number of restaurants close to hand and shopping facilities for the basics are only a few minutes away.
  
  What could be improved: There was really nothing not to like (once we had mastered the complexities of the differential refuse collection system – domestic refuse is collected on a daily basis – according to category on different days). If there was a little more space available in the kitchen for food preparation it would have been nice but it wasn't a problem – in the circumstances perfectly acceptable.

• Superb – Viktoriia from Poland – 27 April 2023 (9/10)

  The hosts are too nice ☺️
  
  What could be improved: It’s not about the property but about the prices for the water boats in Venice🥹

• A lovely, inviting and stylish home from home on one of Venice’s beautiful islands with amazing views – Deborah from United Kingdom – 26 April 2023 (9/10)

  We loved the location – it was great to be off the main island but still only a few minutes away. So close to the vaporetto stop but really quiet and sheltered.
  The apartment was really stylish and had absolutely everything you could possibly need. We were very comfortable and enjoyed sitting on the little balcony for our lunch.
  
  What could be improved: The only thing I wasn’t completely keen on (that I hadn’t even thought about) was the raised bed but as there were only two of us we just slept in the pull out double trundle bed instead. There was plenty of space and this wasn’t a problem at all.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities