La casa del pescatore: a lovely escape in Venice!!

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon La Casa del Pescatore almost by accident last spring, when I was dodging the usual Venice crowds around San Marco. It’s tucked away on Calle Crosera in the Castello district – that’s the quieter, more residential end of town, where locals actually live and you can hear the splash of oars on the canal instead of tour groups chattering away. I mean, it’s not right on the Grand Canal or anything flashy like that, but honestly, that’s part of its charm. Getting there from the vaporetto stop at Arsenale (just a quick 10-minute walk, if you don’t get lost in those winding calli – which, let’s face it, everyone does at least once) felt like stepping into a hidden pocket of the city. The building itself has that classic Venetian vibe – think weathered brick walls and wooden shutters that creak a bit in the breeze – and when I checked in, the owner (a friendly guy named Marco, I think) handed over the keys with a casual chat about the best nearby bacari for cicchetti. No fuss, no long lines; it was refreshingly straightforward, especially after a day of hauling luggage over bridges.

What really won me over, though, was how it feels like a genuine escape – the name means “The Fisherman’s House,” and you can sort of smell that salty lagoon air drifting in through the windows, mixed with whatever’s baking in the little kitchen downstairs. My room was on the upper floor, with these high ceilings and exposed beams that make you feel like you’re in an old palazzo, but updated just enough – comfy bed with crisp linens, a modern bathroom that didn’t skimp on hot water (a godsend after those chilly April evenings), and even a tiny balcony overlooking the calle below. It’s rated 9.3 for a reason; everything’s spotless, and they throw in thoughtful touches like fresh fruit in the mornings and recommendations for off-the-beaten-path spots, like that hidden garden in Sant’Elena park nearby. Well, it’s not perfect – the Wi-Fi can be spotty if you’re trying to stream something late at night, and during high season (say, July or August), you might hear the occasional boat horn from the nearby rio, but it’s nothing earplugs can’t fix. I spent my afternoons wandering to the Biennale gardens or grabbing gelato at that unassuming spot on Via Garibaldi – all within a stone’s throw, really – and coming back felt like returning home, not just to a hotel.

If you’re the type who wants Venice without the overwhelm, this place is gold. It’s got that 4-star polish without feeling stuffy, and at 45.434103732364 latitude and 12.346605479099 longitude (yeah, I plugged it into my maps app to find it again), it’s easy to pinpoint for your next trip. Honestly, I’d go back in a heartbeat – maybe in the off-season when the fog rolls in and the whole area turns even more magical. You know what? Book it if you can; it’s one of those spots that reminds you why Venice steals hearts, quirks and all.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $185. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for 1 – 1 guests

Reviews

• Jouzif from Canada – 3 October 2023 (10/10)

  Everything was perfect and the accommodations were amazing

• Laurent from France – 1 March 2025 (9/10)

  The comfort, cleanliness and the thoughtfulness of the host.
  Also the apartment have a good heating system (we were there in February and it was warm). The apartment is very well located from point of interest. 5mn walking from San Marco place.

• Eugenia from United Kingdom – 21 October 2024 (9/10)

  Location was perfect for me, away from touristy zone but close to water transport and an easy walk pretty much everywhere in Venice. There were a few shops nearby offering local products which I could cook in the well equipped kitchen: there was a cooker with a couple of pans, including a decent rib frying pan for steak, a kettle and a coffeemaker producing excellent coffee, as well as a range of cutlery and crockery, and the necessary condiments including oil and balsamic sauce. This was very handy as it practically makes one autonomous.
  The apartment is on the ground floor where the kitchen is located, with the stairs to the upper level with the bedroom and bathroom. Light from the street is coming through small square windows with authentic shutters which block the light and the sound well. Dark during the day, one has to keep the lights on. The room temperature in September was comfortable, but there was an a/c which, I suppose, comes handy in summertime. Overall, the place was very comfortable for a week-long stay.
  
  What could be improved: The quality of the bed linen was not great, I hope it was washed after the previous guests, and the guests at the corner restaurant could get a bit rowdy at the eleventh hour, however, the windows and shutters reduced the noise. Strangely, no messages from the host before arrival, other than the request from booking com to indicate arrival time, and the phone number provided on the booking com listing wasn't working, that was a bit of stress, but ultimately, the host arrived and was kind and responsive throughout the stay.

• Murat from Turkey – 25 June 2024 (10/10)

  Everything was perfect.

• Axel from Germany – 3 June 2024 (9/10)

  Everything was great, starting with the landlords who – as tourist guides – not only provide for a unique home but also have a lot of information on Venice and Italy to offer. There are umbrellas at the entrance to be borrowed, the wood interior is well made and gives a nice atmosphere (if you like wood). So many appliances and a good kitchen, with dishes, pots and pans, cutlery, a huge table to sit at with just enough seating space. Bedroom is spacious, beds are super comfy and we slept great in them, even though they were a bit short for us (1,87m and 2m / 6‘2“ and 6‘7“). Good lighting, bathroom with an okay sized shower, hot water, a working A/C (or heating). We kept the windows shut most of the time because of the few mosquitos and didn’t use the available electric paddle or other anti-mosquito stuff. We weren’t bothered by the few sounds of life coming from the narrow alley. We felt very well there, the location was perfect for our needs/travel goals, including the grocery shopping and dining options. On our checkout day, we were allowed to keep our luggage in the (safe) corridor while the apartment was cleaned for the next guests.
  
  We very much recommend this place!

• Aleksandrs from Hungary – 29 May 2024 (10/10)

  We fill ourselves as friends who came to visit old friends. Superb service, started from pick up at the airport and unexpected gift to my 3 yrs old daughter on check in.
  
  What could be improved: None. All was above expectations

• Nabil from Saudi Arabia – 14 January 2024 (10/10)

  Everything was just perfect. Organized and clean.
  The Hospitality was top notch and it definitely made our experience in Venice more comfortable.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Ingram from United States – 11 October 2023 (10/10)

  Location and decoration
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Javier from Italy – 5 February 2023 (9/10)

  location is fantastic. The host was very friendly. the detail of a bottle of Prosecco was great
  
  What could be improved: it was a little cold the kitchen but it was winter so it’s normal.

• Terry from Italy – 29 November 2022 (10/10)

  We stayed three nights in this comfortable apartment. Our host was very welcoming and responsive. The apartment was clean, the bed was comfortable and the bathroom (on the same level as the bedroom) was nice. Great water pressure and plenty of hot water. Kitchen had everything we needed. We appreciated the microwave to heat up leftovers. We were able to leave our luggage on our last day until we left in the late afternoon. Location is great, particularly for attending the Biennale which was our main purpose for this trip. Highly recommended!

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities