My Rialto Palace

Hotel Description

I remember stumbling upon My Rialto Palace kind of by accident last spring – I’d just hopped off the vaporetto at the San Stae stop, you know, that one tucked away in Santa Croce where the crowds thin out a bit compared to the madness around San Marco. The address is 2261 Calle Regina, right in the heart of those winding alleys that feel more like a locals’ neighborhood than a tourist trap. Honestly, after dragging my suitcase over a couple of those little bridges – watch out for the steps, they’re steeper than they look – I was relieved to spot the place. It’s this charming old building with faded frescoes on the facade, sort of tucked between a tiny bakery that wafts out the smell of fresh cornetti in the mornings and one of those hole-in-the-wall osterias where Venetians grab an ombra after work. Check-in was a breeze; the front desk guy – Marco, I think his name was – chatted about the best time to hit the Rialto Market (early, before the tour groups descend) and even hooked me up with a map marked with shortcuts to avoid the bottlenecks on the Grand Canal side.

What really won me over, though, was how the hotel nails that balance between old-world Venice and actual comfort – it’s a 3-star spot with an 8.6 rating that feels earned, not inflated. My room overlooked a quiet courtyard, away from the canal hum, so at night it was dead silent except for the occasional church bell echoing from Campo San Polo, which is just a five-minute stroll away. The bed was comfy enough, with those crisp white sheets that smell faintly of lavender (or maybe that’s just my imagination after a long day), but fair warning, the bathroom’s on the smaller side – typical for these converted palaces, I mean, you’re not getting a spa tub here. Breakfast was a highlight: they set it up in this cozy room with exposed beams, offering cappuccinos that rival the ones at the corner caffè, plus prosciutto, cheeses, and those little pastries that flake everywhere. It’s not fancy, but it’s hearty, and you can linger without feeling rushed. Oh, and if you’re into exploring, it’s ridiculously close to the Rialto Bridge – like, two minutes on foot down Calle della Regina, but veer left onto Fondamenta dei Frari for a quieter path to the Frari church, which has those stunning Titian paintings that most people skip.

All in all, I’d say book My Rialto Palace if you’re after that authentic Venice vibe without the San Marco price tag or chaos – especially in shoulder season like April or October, when the alleys aren’t sweltering and you can actually hear your thoughts. It’s not perfect; the Wi-Fi can be spotty in the back rooms (blame the thick stone walls), and there’s no elevator, so pack light if stairs aren’t your thing. But well, that’s Venice for you – a city that forces you to slow down. I left feeling like I’d uncovered a little secret spot, and honestly, that’s worth more than any five-star gloss. If you’re traveling solo or with a partner who appreciates the real deal, this place will make your trip memorable, no doubt.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $201. Double Room with Balcony and Canal View with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $205. Apartment with Canal View with 2 single beds and 1 large double bed for 1 – 1 guests
• Estimated price from: $225. Deluxe Suite with Canal View with 2 single beds and 1 large double bed for 1 – 1 guests

Reviews

• Martin92101 from Slovakia – 5 February 2024 (9/10)

  Accommodation was excellent, perfect location and very clean. The accommodation was a short distance from the center, you could reach everywhere on foot. There are restaurants and bars nearby.
  
  What could be improved: nothing

• Chandresh from Canada – 1 April 2025 (9/10)

  Property has no hot water available. For any hotel, this is a primary facilities. Property reach out to me to resolve the issue.

• Janene from South Africa – 26 March 2025 (9/10)

  Spacious apartment, comfortable beds, extra pillows and fantastic location. Memorable lesson from Nicola about the history of the property – 14th century monastery with beautiful antique furniture. Hope to be back.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Katie from United Kingdom – 6 February 2025 (9/10)

  Great location – very close to Rialto and an easy everywhere, as well as very close to the airport boat. Big and comfy apartment and lovely host.

• Elizabeth from United States – 31 December 2024 (8/10)

  Excellent central location for exploring Venice. Historic building with period furnishings. Very clean. Canal view!

• Mary from United States – 30 December 2024 (9/10)

  Having a balcony over a canal is magical.
  
  What could be improved: Room was chilly at night, until I closed the wooden shutters over the glass doors to the balcony.

• Donal from United States – 6 December 2024 (9/10)

  Very charming room. Spotless and quiet. The location is excellent, right in the middle of Venice and very close to the Rialto Bridge but still a very relaxed neighborhood with a lot of local spots and very few tourists.

• Prashant from United States – 2 December 2024 (9/10)

  It is a charming place , furnished with antique furniture and a unique layout. The person was very helpful in checking us in and waited for our arrival, thank you Eva!
  The kitchen is equipped with an induction gas stove ( you may want to know if you are a gas stove person like myself, no big deal though!) , fridge, pots and pans and a dishwasher. Beds are quite comfy.
  There is view of canal from the bedroom window.
  We were allowed to put our luggage in the storage area for as long as we want on the day of check out, thank you Monica!
  It is close to the waterbus stop 'S Stae' .
  
  What could be improved: Bathroom is narrow shape in design and felt like having a little tight space , especially in the shower area.

• Lindsey from United Kingdom – 19 November 2024 (8/10)

  Great location , spacious and comfortable
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Chris from Australia – 13 November 2024 (9/10)

  Beautiful, spacious apartment hidden behind one of the mysterious doors of Venice. Plenty of room for our family of 5. Check-in and our was easy. Wish we had stayed longer.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities