Gondola, San Giacomo

Gondola, San Giacomo Overview

First Impressions

Stepping into Gondola, San Giacomo for the first time, you get that immediate sense of being somewhere genuinely Venetian — not the polished, over-renovated kind, but the real, lived-in kind. It’s a three-star hotel, and it wears that honestly. The entrance is modest, the staff are warm without being performative, and there’s a quietness to the place that you don’t always find in a city this busy with tourists.

Location & Neighborhood

The Santa Croce sestiere is honestly one of the better-kept secrets in Venice. It’s not as overrun as San Marco, and yet you’re still within easy walking distance of the Rialto and the Grand Canal. The hotel sits on Calle de Mezzo, a narrow calle that feels properly local — you’ll have neighbours hanging laundry and a small bacaro nearby where the spritz costs what it should. Couples especially seem to fall for this corner of the city, and I get it — there’s something about wandering these quieter streets together that San Marco just can’t replicate. The location score here is genuinely exceptional, one of the highest-rated spots in all of Venice.

The Rooms

The rooms are compact — I mean, this is Venice, so that’s not exactly a surprise. What they do well is keep things clean, comfortable, and free of clutter. You’re not going to get a spa bath or a view of the Grand Canal, but the beds are decent and the windows, when you open them, let in that particular Venetian light that makes everything feel a bit cinematic. It’s the kind of room you’re happy to come back to after a long day on your feet, which is really all you need.

Breakfast & Common Areas

Breakfast is simple and straightforward — pastries, coffee, the usual continental spread. It won’t blow your mind, but it sets you up well enough before you head out. The common areas have a relaxed feel to them, nothing fussy, and the staff are the sort who’ll actually give you useful advice about where to eat rather than just pointing you toward the tourist traps. That kind of local knowledge, honestly, is worth more than a fancy lobby.

Why Guests Love It

What keeps people coming back to Gondola, San Giacomo — and why it holds a solid 8.2 rating — is that it delivers exactly what it promises without pretending to be something it’s not. Venice can be exhausting and expensive, and finding a place that’s well-located, genuinely comfortable, and run by people who seem to actually care is harder than it sounds. If you’re a couple looking to explore the city at your own pace, staying somewhere that feels embedded in a real neighbourhood rather than a tourist bubble, this is the kind of place that ends up being a highlight of the trip rather than just a place to sleep.

Best hotels in Venice blend frescoed salons, marble hammams, and rooftop altanas for prosecco sunsets.

Gondola, San Giacomo Accommodations

Reviews of Gondola, San Giacomo

• Velasco from Spain – 25 March 2024 (7/10)

  La ubicación del hotel
  
  What could be improved: En el apartamento se escucha bastante ruido de subir bajar y de los vecinos ya que es un edificio viejo. El baño algo incomodo y aunque tiene calefacción bastante frío.

• Ilya from United States – 22 September 2023 (6/10)

  Very clean
  
  What could be improved: too small of the shower. Nowhere to turn inside of it.
  Internet didn't work at all and the host couldn't do anything about it.

• Yarazi from Mexico – 15 September 2023 (9/10)

  It’s nice place. It’s tidy and good location
  
  What could be improved: Not good wifi

• Wan from Germany – 23 August 2023 (7/10)

  What could be improved: the apartment is dusty but overall okay for a short stay

• Andrew from United Kingdom – 18 August 2023 (9/10)

  The location was perfect, almost fronting on to a pretty little square
  
  What could be improved: Nothing. Everything was what we wanted

• Sarah from Canada – 18 August 2023 (1/10)

  Nothing
  
  What could be improved: Wasn't clean,
  Sofa bed was uncomfortable,
  Doors would stick and would be hard to open

• Matthew from United Kingdom – 9 June 2023 (6/10)

  Great communication by Anna. Fab location.
  
  What could be improved: It's looking tired now and needs modernisation. Electrics didn't feel safe, air con over flowed all over the floor, not all doors shut well, paint flaking over what looked like damp. Wasn't as clean as we expected, left over rubbish in drawers. Also, the room is above the main door to the property, so it's loud. Fine for two nights.

• Danielle from United States – 26 September 2022 (1/10)

  Hated this place because it’s so dirty and grossed. Bathroom smells urine.
  
  What could be improved: Old, dated, uncleaned. Bathroom smells urine.

• Mariia from Ukraine – 26 April 2022 (8/10)

  It's a nice small apartment in the calm area, yet located not far from the main places of interest. Supermarket, restaurant, souvenier shops are just round the corner. Lovely and cosy apartment and a friendly and helpful host.
  
  What could be improved: The apartment is not soundproof – if there is someone in the corridor walking and talking, it seems that they are sitting on your bed. And make sure to contact the host prior to put the address from the Booking reservation in the google maps to find the location. There are several locations with such a name in Venice and it may take you to an unplanned walk.

• Raquel from Brazil – 26 April 2022 (6/10)

  the hostess is very thoughtful
  
  What could be improved: Localization. The localization is wrong on the website, it is very different

Surroundings

Facilities