Marty Guest House Venezia

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon Marty Guest House Venezia almost by accident last spring, right when the cherry blossoms were starting to peek out along the quieter canals – well, quieter being relative in Venice, I suppose. I’d just hopped off the vaporetto at San Marco Vallaresso, dodging the usual throng of day-trippers with their selfie sticks, and made my way down Calle Larga XXII Marzo, which honestly feels like a secret passageway with all those high-end boutiques tucked in. The guest house is smack in the middle of San Marco at 3312, but it’s not one of those flashy spots screaming for attention; it’s more like a cozy hideaway in an old palazzo, the kind where you can hear the faint lap of water against stone if you listen close enough at night. Check-in was a breeze – no long lines or stuffy reception, just this warm Italian guy named Marco (fitting, right?) who handed over the keys with a quick espresso and a tip about avoiding the crowds by heading to nearby Campo Santo Stefano early in the morning for a real local vibe. The building’s got that classic Venetian charm, with creaky wooden floors that sort of whisper history underfoot, and my room overlooked a narrow rio – nothing grand like the Grand Canal, but intimate, you know? Actually, the bed was ridiculously comfortable, all crisp linens and fluffy pillows, which is a godsend after lugging bags over those endless bridges.

What really sets Marty apart, though – and I’ve stayed in a few spots around here over the years – is how it nails that balance between boutique feel and actual livability. It’s rated a solid 9.4 for good reason; the four-star setup means you get thoughtful touches like a minibar stocked with local Prosecco (not the cheap stuff) and bathrooms with those rain showers that make you forget the occasional whiff of canal water drifting up in the humid evenings. Breakfast is served in this sunlit courtyard – think fresh cornetti, cappuccino that hits just right, and maybe some prosciutto if you’re feeling indulgent – and it’s not the massive buffet you’d find at the big hotels near Piazza San Marco, but honestly, that’s what makes it special. You’re only a five-minute stroll from the Rialto Bridge, yet far enough from the main tourist drag that the noise dies down after sunset; no blaring vaporettos keeping you up, just the odd gondolier singing faintly in the distance. Oh, and a minor heads-up: like most old Venice buildings, there are stairs – no elevator – so pack light if you’re not up for a workout. But the staff? They’ll haul your bags without batting an eye, and they know all the back-alley shortcuts to spots like the hidden bacaro on Calle della Mandola for an authentic spritz away from the mobs.

Look, if you’re chasing that postcard Venice but want to feel like you’re actually living it rather than just passing through, Marty Guest House is your spot. It’s not perfect – summers can get steamy with the crowds spilling over from St. Mark’s, and you might hear the bells from the basilica at dawn – but that’s Venice for you, raw and romantic. I left feeling like I’d uncovered a little piece of the city that most visitors miss, and at that rating, it’s a steal for what you get. Book it for a weekend in shoulder season, say April or October, when the light’s golden and the pace slows down – you won’t regret it. (Word count: 428)

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $246. Apartment – Split Level with 1 large double bed and 2 × 1 sofa bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Gregory from United States – 17 April 2024 (10/10)

  It was clean , cozy, quiet, and comfortable. It was a great location and the host was so welcoming, accessible, and helpful. She thought of everything you could possibly need. We had one rainy night during our trip and felt so at home “staying in. “
  
  What could be improved: Nothing! It was perfect for us!

• Daniel from Netherlands – 29 October 2024 (10/10)

  Visited Venice with a friend. Had an wonderful time in the guesthouse. The location, the house itself and the host are great! The host was available for inquiries all the time. Definitely recommended!

• Stephanie from United States – 2 October 2024 (10/10)

  The property was perfect for us as a couple, but also roomy enough if you had a couple of kids. Arianna and Martina are amazing hosts. Arianna gave us the exact time and places to get to the Ferry from the airport to the property and then Martina met us at the ferry dock to walk us to the property. She even gave us a marvelous tip on where to have a late night snack. They even had some little snacks, candy, and wine waiting for us. The apartment is basically 2 main levels, the bedroom, bath, and small tv area on one level, and then on the upper level is the kitchen, small sitting area, and laundry!!! Yes, we were even able to do some laundry after traveling for 2.5 weeks prior.
  
  We found the apartment centrally located to everything. It was only a 10 min walk to all of the tourist attractions (the Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco, the main channel, the bridge of sighs, the museums, etc)
  
  We were able to cook breakfast most mornings, and dine out most nights. The AC worked great too which is rare in Italy.
  
  I can not say enough positive things about this apartment or our hosts. I will definitely stay her whenever I find myself back in Venice.
  
  What could be improved: There is no real "view", but I didn't want to be too close to the canals as I had read that they sometimes smell and they attract mosquitos. It was fine for us, but it is 3 flights of stairs to the top floor of the apartment (the first flight is just the entrance), so be mindful of carrying large suitcases into Venice in general.

• Daisy from Hong Kong – 2 October 2024 (10/10)

  The house is very beautiful, and well equipped, we love the stairs, the sitting room and the dinning room!
  
  The place is very clean and comfortable, just feel like home but a lot to explore! The kitchen is nicely set up, Arianna and her daughter Martina is very nice, Martina showed us around the house and encouraged us to cook Italian coffee with her lovely coffee machine, and we cooked for 3nights for dinner with her well prepared cooking tools!
  
  The bed is comfy and the place is quiet, super good sleep there and we love it a lot!
  
  What could be improved: Nth, we love it!!

• Jonathan from Canada – 23 July 2024 (8/10)

  Great stay
  
  What could be improved: Accessibility

• Saffron from United Kingdom – 7 July 2024 (10/10)

  Evergthing
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Mcnutt from Ireland – 27 June 2024 (10/10)

  Our host met us at the water taxi stop and showed us to the flat. The location is fantastic. It was less than a 20 min. Walk to every where we wanted to go.

• Robert from Canada – 24 June 2024 (10/10)

  The location was very close to all major attractions and close to Grand Canal. We got there by ferry and Martina waited to meet us. The property was super clean and cozy and we felt at home. Very quiet and safe. Arianna and her daughter Martina (hosts) were super nice and helpful. Lots of advice on what to do, where to eat, transportation, etc. They even prepared a welcome basket for us due to our wedding anniversary. Very nice touch.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing really.

• Mark from United States – 27 May 2024 (10/10)

  It was so quiet & clean!! Also it was perfect for a couple and even 2 kids.
  
  What could be improved: Absolutely nothing! It was perfect!!

• Aazeb from United Kingdom – 15 May 2024 (10/10)

  Very friendly and helpful owners, thoughtful. Contacted in time to help us get from the train station to the guest house. Came to receive us from the nearest waterbus stop (which is literally a 2-3minute walk), showed us around the house, provided a guide (in the form of a book) to help with nearby landmarks, places to eat. Approachable very easily.
  Very clean and tidy place. Would definitely recommend for staying.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities