Luxury Garden Mansion R&R

Hotel Description

I remember stumbling upon the Luxury Garden Mansion R&R almost by accident last spring – well, not really by accident, since I’d booked it after hearing from a local friend that Dorsoduro is where you go if you want Venice without the San Marco circus. Tucked away on Fondamenta Rughetta, right off the Zattere waterfront, it’s this unassuming spot in a neighborhood that’s got that perfect mix of old-school Venetian charm and arty vibes. I mean, you’re steps from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection – you know, that museum with all the modern art in a palazzo that feels like someone’s eccentric grandma’s house – and a quick walk over the Accademia Bridge to the more touristy bits, but honestly, why bother when you’ve got quiet canals and little wine bars like Cantine del Vino già Schiavi just around the corner? Arriving by vaporetto to the Salute stop, I dragged my suitcase over those uneven stone paths (pro tip: pack light, because Venice doesn’t do wheels well), and the check-in was a breeze – the staff, this lovely older couple who seemed to know everyone in the sestiere, handed me a key and a handwritten map of hidden gelato spots. No fuss, no long lines like at those big chain places.

What really sold me was the garden – oh man, in a city that’s all stone and water, having this lush, private courtyard with blooming jasmine and those twisty lemon trees felt like a secret escape. My room overlooked it (ask for one on the upper floors if you can; the lower ones might catch a bit of that canal dampness in humid weather), and it was all high ceilings with exposed beams, soft linens that smelled faintly of lavender, and a bathroom that had this massive clawfoot tub – perfect for soaking after a day of dodging crowds. It’s a 4-star spot, sure, but it doesn’t scream luxury; it’s more like staying in a restored mansion where everything’s thoughtful, from the fresh croissants at breakfast (they source them from a bakery on nearby Calle Lunga San Barnaba) to the little library nook with books on Venetian history. Noise-wise, it’s blissfully quiet at night – you might hear a distant boat horn or church bells from Santa Maria della Salute, but nothing like the racket in Cannaregio during high season. That said, if you’re here in July, book early because Dorsoduro gets its share of art festival folks, and the place fills up fast. One minor gripe: the Wi-Fi can be spotty in the garden area – but hey, who needs Instagram when you’ve got actual views?

All in all, if you’re after some real R&R in Venice – you know, the kind where you can unwind without feeling like you’re in a theme park – this is your spot. It’s not the flashiest, but that’s the point; it’s authentic, with that lived-in elegance that makes you feel like a temporary local. I’d go back in a heartbeat, especially off-season when the fog rolls in and the whole area turns magical. Just remember to wander down to the Squero di San Trovaso nearby – it’s one of the last gondola workshops, and watching them build those boats is like peeking into old Venice. Trust me, you’ll leave recharged, with stories that aren’t just about dodging pigeons in the piazza.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $189. Apartment with Garden View with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Quiet and comfortable – Charlotte from United Kingdom – 22 June 2025 (9/10)

  Comfortable apartment in Dorsoduro district – quiet and very clean
  
  What could be improved: We enjoyed our stay

• Beautiful apartment in a quiet area of Venice – Marc from United Kingdom – 10 June 2024 (10/10)

  Beautiful apartment with a great garden in a quiet area but within walking distance of the main tourist area. Very well equipped with everything you need if you want to shop at the local farmers market and cook at home. Some nice local bars and restaurants very close by. Stayed for a week a had a really great time.
  
  What could be improved: The check in time was 3pm but we arrived much earlier. The letting agency said we could leave our bags earlier but even though I contacted them multiple times with our travel details they did not give any details. When we arrived in we contacted the agency by phone and spoke the a very helpful person called Michela who was very apologetic and said that we would not be able to drop bags early as she had been given 4 parties of people to meet and check in in different parts of Venice. Michela was very helpful but if we had known we couldn’t leave bag’s early we would have left them at the bus station until we could check in. Not very helpful communication from the agency before we arrived.

• Superb – Kristal29 from North Macedonia – 16 March 2024 (9/10)

  The appartment is big, very well equiped, kitchen is excellent, and there is a small garden which would be excellent for the spring and summer days.
  
  What could be improved: Its a bit far from the main turistic places and its quite difficult to find the location.

• Perfect, fully equipped and large apartment in Venice – Shakeel from Canada – 16 July 2023 (10/10)

  We were welcomed by Virginia who was very nice. The apartment is located on a quiet little canal, in Dorsoduro. We were travelling as a family of 4, the adults in the bedroom and the kids (11 and 13), on the sofa bed. the kitchen is quite large and fully equipped, perfect for a weeklong stay: there was coffee, salt, sugar, oil, spices, cling film and aluminum foil, Tupperware boxes if you’d like to go on a picnic, plus oven, toaster, microwave, large gas stove, fridge and separate freezer. the bathroom, small yet very functional, and great water pressure. Lots of closet space everywhere. Washing machine and laundry detergent, clothes dryer and pegs.
  The quite large private terrasse really is a plus, we loved it.
  It was the perfect place for our stay in Florence. the train station was 15mn away.
  Beware if you carry heavy suitcases as there are tons of bridges with lots of steps!
  
  What could be improved: The floor was very dusty, so we wore flip flops inside as slippers.

• Bellissimo – Takehana from United States – 11 July 2023 (10/10)

  The apartment was fabulous, especially the patio and kitchen. It was so meticulously renovated, I only wish that my trip had been longer.
  
  What could be improved: Other than maybe putting some string lights on the patio and leaving a box of Kleenex in the bathroom, everything was perfect.

• Beautiful modern quiet and safe – Anna from Ireland – 30 June 2023 (10/10)

  Everything was amazing. Location. Service to meet u and give keys and explain Ac etc. Apartment is beautiful pictures do not reflect how stylish and modern and luxurious it is. No noise at night. Very safe. Highly recommend
  
  What could be improved: Everything was amazing.

• Superb – Rafael from United Kingdom – 17 April 2023 (9/10)

  great flat. nice area, not tourist but had good options nearby.

• Just perfect. – Veronika from Croatia – 14 April 2023 (10/10)

  Everything was perfect. The apartman is in the great location, 10 minutes from San Marco Garage and cca 15 min to the main attractions. Everything you need is near, shops, restaurants, bars… apartman itself is extremly beautiful and comfortable and very peacful. Special thanks to Virginia who handed us keys, waited for us in the rain since we got lost and explained everything we asked. Perfect apartment and perfect host. Thank you!

• Off the beaten track gem – Fionnuala from Ireland – 9 April 2023 (10/10)

  Exceptional rental, exceptionally well equipped "cook's kitchen", fantastic location by a little canal and far from the crowds. Courtyard is huge and gorgeous. Lovely bed and good bathroom. Recieved personal text day before arrival to arrange check-in. Met at the apartment by welcoming, friendly agent. Great care taken in writing the apartment manual which clearly explains everything has great tips for moving around Venice and excellent restaurant reviews. We sampled a few. No notes. Wouldn't stay anywhere else when I return to Venice
  
  What could be improved: If you like tourist traps and crowds this is not the place for you.

• Quiet place in Venice – Cristina from Italy – 16 December 2022 (10/10)

  The apartment is large, there is a beautiful dining room and when the weather is good there is also a little garden. The living room is really wide and with table and several sofas, good for watching TV all together. The position is perfect to see another hidden part of Venice, without touristic places, but it's really near to the train station, the island Giudecca and Frari's church.
  
  What could be improved: The pillows are not so comfortable for me.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities