Maison Valentina

Hotel Description

I stumbled upon Maison Valentina during one of those hazy autumn trips to Venice when the crowds thin out a bit – you know, right after summer’s madness but before the acqua alta really kicks in. It’s tucked away on Calle Pietro da Liesina in the Castello district, which honestly feels like the real Venice, away from the San Marco circus. I mean, you’re steps from the Arsenale vaporetto stop, so getting there from the airport was a breeze – just hop on the Alilaguna boat and you’re practically at the doorstep in under an hour. No cars to worry about, obviously, since this is Venice, but if you’re lugging bags, the narrow calle can be a bit of a squeeze; I ended up dragging my suitcase over those uneven stones, which made for a noisy arrival. The check-in was smooth, though – the staff (a mix of locals and that one chatty guy from Milan) handed over the keys with a quick espresso on the house, and suddenly I was in this cozy, converted palazzo that smells faintly of old wood and fresh linen, like someone’s nonna’s house but with a modern twist.

What really won me over were the rooms – mine overlooked a quiet canal, and waking up to the soft lap of water against the walls was pure magic, especially at dawn when the gondoliers aren’t out yet and it’s just you and the seagulls. It’s a 4-star spot, but it punches above its weight with those high ceilings and exposed beams that make you feel like you’re in a piece of history (well, minus the occasional creaky floorboard that might wake light sleepers). The bathroom was spotless, with those fluffy towels and a rain shower that actually has decent pressure – a rarity in some older Venetian buildings, let me tell you. Breakfast is served in this sunny courtyard, nothing fancy but solid: fresh cornetti, prosciutto, and coffee strong enough to power you through a day of wandering. Oh, and there’s free Wi-Fi that works reliably, even for streaming – I caught up on emails while sipping wine on the terrace one evening. It’s not perfect; the air conditioning can be a tad noisy in peak summer, and if you’re noise-sensitive, note that the nearby church bells chime early. But honestly, those little quirks add to the charm, making it feel authentic rather than some sterile chain.

If you’re debating where to stay in Venice, I’d say go for Maison Valentina if you want that sweet spot between touristy buzz and local vibe – it’s a short walk to Via Garibaldi for affordable cicchetti bars where Venetians actually hang out, or you can meander to the Biennale gardens for a peaceful afternoon. I left feeling like I’d uncovered a hidden gem, the kind that makes you want to return just to sit by that canal again. Sure, it’s not the cheapest option, but for a 9-rated spot in Castello, it’s worth it – especially off-season when rates dip and the whole place feels like your own private escape.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $232. Apartment with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Barbara from United States – 10 May 2024 (9/10)

  Clean, comfortable and located in a great neighborhood.

• Schafer-colvin from United States – 21 June 2023 (8/10)

  Amazing location. Two single beds in one bedroom and a queen in another worked great for our family of four. We loved being in town and in a residential area. Coming back to the garden neighborhood at the end of the day was a breath of fresh air after the crowded streets. We easily went to Lido beach, Murano island, & all the sights. The local grocery store and restaurants worked out great and were with easy walking distance for late dinners.
  
  What could be improved: We had no electric the first night, not knowing how to reset the circuit breaker after running both the AC and clothes washer.

• Menzies from Saudi Arabia – 14 May 2023 (9/10)

  decoration and furniture made the house very comfortable. location was easy to reach from the Giardini ferry stop and by foot from city centre. It was great having the small highstreet with many cafes and restaurants close by. The TV was working with netflix for rainy evenings and the small terrace was great for the warm evenings.

• Johannes from Germany – 4 October 2023 (7/10)

  – The location near Giardini was perfect for visiting the Biennale.
  – The host was very friendly and gave good recommendations for restaurants.
  – The house is very spacious and quiet at night.
  – The furniture was high quality.
  
  What could be improved: – The apartment was not dirty, but also not exactly clean. The shower upstairs was clogged and not usable.
  – The equipment was seriously lacking, for instance there was no (dish) soap, no kitchen towels, only one soup bowl etc.
  – We were asked to leave no trash behind and put any leftovers in the public bins outside (which is forbidden according to the signs on the trash cans).

• Gertraud from Austria – 31 March 2025 (9/10)

  Es war alles perfekt.

• Dr from Austria – 5 November 2024 (9/10)

  Ganzes Haus in sehr guter Lage. Zwei Minuten zu Vaporetto. Gemütliches Wohnzimmer zum ausspannen am Abend nach vielem Herumgehen.
  Komplette Ausstattung.Betten gut. Schöne Acessoirs. Terrasse direkt an Küche.
  Unkompliziertes Ein- und Auschecken.
  
  What could be improved: Ein Schlafzimmer hat leider keinen Schrank. Das Foto der Terrasse im Erdgeschoß ist etwas irreführend (gehört zum Nachbarhaus)

• Cathy from Netherlands – 6 July 2024 (9/10)

  Ruimte, alles aanwezig, goede douche beneden, locatie
  
  What could be improved: Niet van toepassing

• Keiko from Austria – 12 May 2024 (8/10)

  sehr sauber und ruhig
  
  What could be improved: Check inn system war ein bisschen schwierig.

• Ivana from Czech Republic – 1 May 2023 (9/10)

  Ubytování nemělo chybu. Skvěle vybavený apartmán, nic nám nechybělo. Vše čisté. Komunikace s ubytováním bezproblémová.

• Decarbo from Switzerland – 18 June 2022 (9/10)

  die Lage
  das Haus
  sehr schön eingerichtet
  würde ich nur empfehlen
  
  What could be improved: dass der Urlaub vorbei ist 😅

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities