Loft in Venice

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon the Loft in Venice kind of by accident last spring – I was wandering around Castello after ditching the mad rush at San Marco, and honestly, it felt like finding a hidden gem in a city that’s all about secrets. Tucked away on Calle dei Santi, just a short stroll from the Arsenale vaporetto stop (that’s line 1 or 4.1 if you’re coming from the train station), this place isn’t your typical grand palazzo hotel. It’s more like someone’s stylish apartment carved out of an old building – think exposed brick walls that whisper stories from the 1500s, high ceilings that make you feel like you’re breathing easier, and these massive windows overlooking a quiet courtyard where you can actually hear birds instead of tour groups. I mean, Venice can be overwhelming with all the gondola hawkers and selfie sticks, but here in Castello, it’s different; you’re close enough to the action – like a 15-minute walk to the Biennale gardens or that little bacaro on Via Garibaldi for cicchetti and spritz – but far enough that the evenings are blissfully calm. No car noise, obviously, since this is Venice, but watch out for those uneven cobblestones if you’re hauling luggage; I twisted my ankle a bit on the way in, though the host was super quick with an ice pack and a glass of prosecco to make up for it.

What really won me over, though, was how lived-in it felt – not in a messy way, but authentically cozy. The loft setup has this open-plan vibe with a kitchenette stocked with basics (fresh coffee from that roastery on Campo San Barnaba, if you ask nicely), and the bed? Oh man, it’s one of those memory foam numbers that swallows you after a day of pounding pavements. I woke up to the faint smell of saltwater from the nearby canal – not the funky kind, mind you, more like a fresh sea breeze – and the sound of church bells from Santa Maria Formosa drifting in. Check-in was a breeze; the owner met me right at the door with keys and a handwritten map of local spots, like that tiny gelateria on Fondamenta dei Ormesini that’s open late and does the best pistachio (avoid the tourist traps near the Rialto, trust me). It’s rated a solid 9.7 for a reason – four stars, but it punches above with little touches like free Wi-Fi that actually works (streaming my shows without buffering, a miracle in old Venice stone) and a rooftop terrace for sunset views over the rooftops. Well, sort of a terrace; it’s more of a shared balcony, but in high season (think June to August), it gets a bit crowded with other guests, so snag it early. And parking? Forget it – leave the car in Mestre and take the train; this is walk-or-water-taxi territory.

All that said, if you’re after that real Venice vibe without the overwhelm, this loft is it. It’s not perfect – the bathroom’s a tad compact, and if you’re noise-sensitive, the occasional boat horn from the lagoon might jolt you – but honestly, it made my trip. You’d spend a fortune on something similar in Dorsoduro, but here you’re embedded in a neighborhood where locals still outnumber visitors, grabbing their morning cornetto from the bakery around the corner. I left feeling like I’d actually lived there, not just passed through, and that’s saying something in a place as magical and maddening as Venice. Go in shoulder season, like April or October, when the crowds thin out and the light’s just right – you won’t regret it.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $239. One-Bedroom House with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Zoe from Romania – 21 September 2024 (10/10)

  Spacious and beautiful loft. Great location. Very kind owner. All necessities included. Would highly recommend.

• Pitersooon from Poland – 3 May 2023 (10/10)

  Perfect apartament, super friendly and helpfull host. I highly reccomend 🙂

• Jan from Belgium – 8 November 2024 (9/10)

  Central location for our purpose (culture, Biennale)
  Very near to shops and restaurants, and still a quite place
  Smartly designed and very clean apartment
  Waking up with sun on facades of neighbors
  
  What could be improved: Only 2 (different) wine glasses
  The lock of the door is stiff

• Peter from United Kingdom – 8 September 2022 (9/10)

  Brilliantly designed apartment that was very clean, light, comfortable and well equipped.
  Nice details with the basics for a stay. Great to have water, milk and butter in the fridge etc.
  We are regular visitors, staying in apartments, and this was a stand out experience.
  We also loved the fact that it has no TV!

• Zia from France – 3 March 2025 (9/10)

  L'appartement est très bien situé avec plusieurs petits commerces de proximité. Giovanna est une hôte disponible et agréable. Son livret d'accueil est complet et très utile lorsque c'est notre première fois à Venise.

• Birgit from Austria – 11 January 2025 (10/10)

  Wir haben uns unglaublich wohl gefühlt. Das Apartment ist sehr gut eingerichtet und die Lage ist großartig. Wir können es uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen und werden sicher wieder kommen. Vielen Dank an die tollen Gastgeber.

• Johanna from Austria – 29 September 2024 (10/10)

  Die ideale Lage zwischen Giardini und Arsenal, ideal zum Besuch der Biennale.
  Die Umgebung mit zahlreichen Bars, Restaurants, Einkaufsmöglichkeiten.
  Die ausgezeichnete geschmackvolle Ausstattung. Die Ruhe, obwohl die Umgebung belebt ist und alles füßläufig erreichbar.
  Der freundliche Kontakt und die guten Tipps.
  
  What could be improved: Wir haben nichts zu beanstanden.

• Marina from Italy – 26 August 2024 (9/10)

  Arredo casa moderno e accogliente, con tutti i comfort.
  Posizione strategica per Arsenale, Biennale e Lido.
  Quartiere animato anche da residenti.
  
  What could be improved: Niente da segnalare

• Carole from France – 2 January 2024 (10/10)

  Appartement tout confort ! Rien ne manque.
  Il est très bien situé avec des commerces de bouche de qualité.A 10mn à pied du palais des Doges 👍et à 2mn du grand canal pour l accès aux vaporetto

• Marina from Italy – 24 August 2023 (10/10)

  Casa ristrutturata di recente con tutti i comfort e di gran gusto. Luminosa.
  Dotata di tutto il necessario per il soggiorno.
  Host gentilissima e disponibile.
  
  What could be improved: Nulla da segnalare in tal senso.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities