Granda Sweet Suites

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon Granda Sweet Suites almost by accident last spring, right after hopping off the vaporetto at San Toma – it’s tucked away in the Sestiere di San Marco, on this quiet little calle off Campo San Maurizio, where the tourists thin out just enough that you can actually hear the water lapping against the stone walls instead of endless chatter. I mean, Venice is Venice, all winding alleys and sudden bridges, but this spot? It’s like a secret hideout – you’re maybe a 10-minute stroll from Piazza San Marco, dodging the pigeon hordes and gelato vendors, but far enough that the evening quiet sets in early. Honestly, arriving felt like a relief after lugging my bag over those humpbacked bridges; no elevators here (it’s an old building, what do you expect?), but the check-in was a breeze – this friendly older guy at the desk chatted about the best time to hit the Rialto Market (go early, before the cruise ship crowds swarm it) and handed over a map scribbled with his favorite bacari for cicchetti. The lobby’s nothing fancy, just some faded frescoes and that musty, canal-side smell that screams authentic Venice, but it sets the tone – cozy, not pretentious.

What really won me over were the suites themselves – well, “suites” might be stretching it for a 3-star joint, but they’re surprisingly spacious for the price, with these high ceilings and creaky wooden floors that make you feel like you’re crashing in some noble’s spare room from the 1700s. Mine overlooked a narrow rio, and I’d wake up to the soft clink of gondola oars and that briny, slightly fishy scent wafting in (pro tip: keep the windows cracked at night, but watch for mosquitoes in summer). The beds are comfy enough, though the pillows could use an upgrade – sort of flat, you know? – and the bathroom’s basic, with those tiny Italian showers that always leave you half-wet, half-dry. But hey, the free Wi-Fi worked like a charm for mapping out my days, and there’s a little kitchenette in most rooms, perfect for brewing espresso from beans you snag at the nearby Coop on Calle Larga XXII Marzo. It’s not luxurious – no spa or anything – but it’s got that lived-in charm, and being so close to hidden gems like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (just across the Accademia Bridge, about 15 minutes on foot) means you can skip the overpriced tourist traps. Oh, and if you’re there in off-season, like November, the place is dead quiet after dark, though summer brings noise from late-night revelers stumbling back from Harry’s Bar.

All in all, if you’re after a no-frills base to really soak in Venice without breaking the bank, Granda Sweet Suites is a solid pick – especially for solo travelers or couples who don’t mind a bit of grit. It’s got that genuine neighborhood vibe, where you can pop out for morning cornetti at the pasticceria around the corner and feel like a local for a minute. Just pack light (those stairs!), and avoid peak July when the heat and crowds make everything feel sticky and overwhelming. I left thinking, yeah, I’d come back – it’s not perfect, but it captures that elusive Venice magic without the hype.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $167. Standard Double Room with 1 large double bed for 1 – 1 guests
• Estimated price from: $208. Junior Suite with 1 large double bed for 1 – 1 guests

Reviews

• Adelina from Romania – 20 April 2023 (8/10)

  San Marco room view is amazing, bigger than expected. And in the center of the city.
  
  What could be improved: –

• Laura from Germany – 15 December 2024 (7/10)

  The apartment is ideally located: quiet area with beautiful view at the canal, but still not too far away from restaurants etc. We had the apartment San Marco, which is cozy but a bit dark, and the lamps offer only uncomfortable light. The bed is pretty comfortable, and the view from the window downright amazing. I would book again, but only if it were for only one night again, as the shower is unusable.
  
  What could be improved: The shower is really not usable, it is completely moldy to a point where I would refuse to shower, and I'm not faint hearted.
  The apartment is a bit narrow and dark, it could improve a lot with some comfortable lighting, not the neon stuff.

• Eniko from United Kingdom – 30 September 2024 (8/10)

  Very comfortable we slept great. View to the grand canal is excellent. The room was really quiet. Great location walkable to st Mark’s square.
  
  What could be improved: Shower could do with updating.

• Eli from Czech Republic – 29 August 2024 (8/10)

  You can't beat this location I think. The view of the canal was beyond stunning, you almost don't want to leave the place. The bed was very comfortable and the room was big.
  
  What could be improved: Despite the above, I don't think the place is worth more than what we paid for (last minute 50% off deal). It was cleaned before we arrived, but the bathroom is still quite run down. There's stuff like mold and stains on the walls that can easily be fixed. If you're staying at the junior suite, be aware that it's right next to the common area (kitchen and lounge).

• Sivakumar from United States – 18 August 2024 (8/10)

  Location was good and the property was very nice.
  
  What could be improved: A/c was condensing and leaking. No staff at the location and no elevator to carry luggages

• Elliker from United Kingdom – 13 August 2024 (8/10)

  Room was beautiful and balcony onto the river made it very special.
  
  What could be improved: The check I'm process was terrible. They didn't send the email so spent ages on the phone trying to get through to somebody to get the codes as no staff on site.

• Helen from United Kingdom – 23 July 2024 (8/10)

  Rooms comfortable and air conditioned, right onto Grand canal with vaporetto stop just outside the door. Lovely old building, only a 15-minute walk from Piazza San Marco. Quiet location
  
  What could be improved: Kitchen present but not allowed to use it!

• Diana from Australia – 17 May 2024 (7/10)

  We were lucky to get the Rialto room which is on the corner so two windows looking out to the water. The rooms are extremely spacious and very traditional Venetian.
  
  What could be improved: Whilst the view from our room was excellent and the S.Samuel ferry stop is right outside the door, it is a good 15 minute walk to San Marco and the ferry doesn’t stop at S. Samuel until 10am onwards. If you have luggage to carry/roll to Santa Lucia station for an early train before 10am, it is a good 30 minute walk around without the ferry (Vaporetto). We paid 9 euros each to go one stop on the ferry to S.Samuel stop. You can get better prices for a daily pass or two or 3 day pass. It is a complicated process to access the room which is very strictly 3pm onwards. Some of the inclusions were light on. We were given 3 normal sized paper cups for a three day stay, no tea bags, 3 coffee pods, two shower caps, two sewing packs, two body lotion. No shampoo. A very small bin in the bathroom which was challenging

• Timothy from Australia – 23 March 2024 (8/10)

  Amazing views of canal, secure building, great location with easy access, secure wardrobe for belongings
  
  What could be improved: Very much self sustained/nil staff on site for duration of stay, small amount of black mould in bathroom/shower in higher hard to reach area.

• Konstantinos from Greece – 7 March 2024 (7/10)

  Was at the center of Venice. Heat was always on, and lots of hot water. The room had unique Venetian-style design. Was next to S. Samuele waterbus station. Check in was easy and we didnt have to see anyone during our stay. It was contactless.
  
  What could be improved: Mosquitos are a very common problem with Venice, and asking some locals we found out that everybody knows that. The first night we had a lot of mosquitos inside our room, even though we didn’t let the windows ever open. When we asked the owner to provide a solution they told us that they cannot provide. That for me is unprofessional! First night we couldn’t sleep because of the mosquitoes. Also, even though the room is very close to the center, is quite away from any bridges that cross the grand canal, so traveling made us do a lot of circles by foot.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities