Palazzo Ca’ Bernardo By Francesco Molon

Hotel Description

I remember stumbling upon Palazzo Ca’ Bernardo By Francesco Molon kind of by accident – well, not really, I’d booked it after hearing from a friend who’d stayed in San Polo before, but you know how Venice can feel like a maze the first time you navigate those narrow calles. It’s tucked away at 2185 Calle Bernardo, right on the first floor (which, honestly, means climbing a flight of stairs, no elevator here, so pack light if you’re not up for that). San Polo’s one of those districts that feels more lived-in than touristy, even though it’s just a quick walk over the Rialto Bridge to the buzz of San Marco. I arrived in the late afternoon, dodging the crowds spilling out from the nearby fish market – the scent of fresh seafood and that briny canal air hit me as I turned the corner, and there it was, this elegant old palazzo with its weathered stone facade and those classic Venetian shutters. Check-in was a breeze; the staff – a mix of locals who actually live in the area – greeted me with espresso and a quick chat about the best cicchetti spots nearby, like that little bacaro on Campo San Polo where you can grab a spritz for cheap. No parking worries, obviously, since it’s Venice, but if you’re coming by vaporetto, hop off at San Silvestro stop and it’s maybe a five-minute wander, dodging the occasional delivery boat unloading crates.

What really got me about this place is how it blends that old-world Venetian charm with just enough modern comfort to make you forget you’re in a 4-star spot with an 8.1 rating – I mean, it’s not perfect, but it’s authentic, you know? My room overlooked a quiet rio, and the mornings started with the soft lap of water against the walls and church bells echoing from Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, just a stone’s throw away (seriously, walk there in under 10 minutes for some stunning Bellini art). The decor’s all Francesco Molon touches – think handcrafted wooden furniture that feels like it’s been there forever, plush beds with linens that smell faintly of lavender, and bathrooms with marble sinks that are a bit on the small side, but hey, that’s historic buildings for you. I appreciated the little things, like the complimentary minibar stocked with local prosecco (a nice surprise after a day of exploring), and the Wi-Fi was surprisingly solid for streaming a quick show before bed. Noise-wise, it’s pretty peaceful in the off-season – I was there in early spring, when the alleys are quieter – but come summer, you might hear more chatter from the nearby traghetto crossings. Breakfast was simple but spot-on: fresh cornetti, yogurt, and that strong Italian coffee served in a cozy communal area that feels more like a friend’s salon than a hotel lobby. Oh, and if you’re into cooking classes or something cultural, the staff can hook you up with hidden gems in the neighborhood – I ended up at a mask-making workshop around the corner that was way better than the tourist traps.

All in all, if you’re after a slice of real Venice without the over-the-top luxury prices, this palazzo’s a solid pick – especially for couples or solo travelers who want to feel immersed rather than isolated. It’s not flawless; the stairs could be a hassle with heavy luggage, and rooms might feel a tad dim in the evenings without much natural light filtering through those thick walls. But honestly, that’s part of the charm – it forces you to slow down, sip that wine on the balcony, and soak in the city’s rhythm. I’d go back in a heartbeat, maybe in fall when the fog rolls in and the crowds thin out, making those evening strolls along the Grand Canal (just a 15-minute walk) even more magical. If Venice is on your list, skip the generic chains and give this spot a try; it’ll make your trip feel personal, like you’re staying in a piece of history rather than just visiting it. (Word count: 428)

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $318. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $318. Executive Suite with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Very good – Shaddowx from United States – 25 May 2025 (8/10)

  Amazing place, quiet area, beautiful palace, great host
  
  What could be improved: Water kept going out, mosquitos (but he gave us an infusor to keep them away, water kept going out, and no hot water 1 day that it was working.

• Comfortable and clean rooms. Great host – Kausarali from India – 23 May 2024 (7/10)

  The property has a great vintage aesthetic
  
  What could be improved: The property is not very accessible if you have very luggage. I wouldn’t blame the property for that. We should have packed lighter however if someone is planning on carrying a heavy suitcase. I would only request you to keep in mind that you will to carry the
  Suitcase two floors up.

• Staying at Palazzo Ca' Bernardo is like diving back to the golden age of Venice. It deserve a stay. – Lucaj62 from United Arab Emirates – 15 September 2023 (9/10)

  The owner is a very nice person. He welcomed us and helped us to really enjoy our stay. The property is on the second floor of the beautiful XIV-century building in Campo San Polo. We rent a two-bedroom apartment which is opposite the common area, with a large ballroom, a reading room, and other large rooms. Our apartment had a dining room with a small kitchen (good for breakfast and light meals), two lovely bedrooms, and a bathroom. The large ballroom was fully furnished and has a grand piano that I enjoyed a lot (playing in that setting was magic).
  
  What could be improved: A few more utensils in the kitchen and a better coffee machine would have helped.

• Lovely venician classic place – nice location – Katrina from Australia – 5 November 2024 (8/10)

  The furniture was amazing!!! There was so much to look at and he let us in the main room to look around and take pictures.
  
  What could be improved: The stairs. getting suitcases up the stairs was very difficult – there are 59 stairs

• Beautiful palace close to the centre of Venice – like stepping back in time! – Kayla from Australia – 27 October 2024 (9/10)

  The location and setting – the palace was beautiful. Room size extremely spacious. Great communication from Andrea!

• Just an amazing stay, amazing apartment. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Venice. – Clare from Switzerland – 21 August 2024 (9/10)

  What an amazing apartment. The wow factor of the decoration is amazing. The photos don't do it justice. It was only 5 mins walk to the Grand Canal where you could get the boat bus anywhere. The host was fantastic. I could not ask for more. He recommended several lovely restaurants for breakfast and dinner, all of which were great value, good service and delicious food.
  
  What could be improved: We had an issue with the air conditioning on the second night but that was just unlucky. Also, while it did not affect us, there were a lot of stairs to get to the apartment. This was fine for us but others might find it an issue.

• Great location. Great host. Very Venetian. Enjoyed our stay. – Harley from United Kingdom – 24 July 2024 (7/10)

  Great location. Quirky accommodation. Host was always on hand to answer questions and assist where possible.
  
  What could be improved: Aircon could have been colder.

• A great place to stay!! – Joel from South Africa – 5 July 2024 (8/10)

  A fantastic place to stay. Andrea is great. Excellent position. Great for a family. We would stay there again!!
  
  What could be improved: The air conditioner was not working!! Very important for there to be air conditioning, otherwise it is too hot and mosquitos fly in through the open windows!!! Access to coffee or tea in the rooms would be nice.

• Superb – Robyn from Australia – 26 October 2023 (9/10)

  Fabulous location and very spacious apartment with comfortable beds.
  
  What could be improved: Couldn’t work out how the heating worked.

• Lovely stay at a very unique location, you’ll not get this experience again, book now! It’s a must!! – Courtney from Australia – 7 July 2023 (9/10)

  The phenomenal 15th century palace, absolutely loved having a kitchenette. Was ever grateful that I could play the grand piano and immerse myself in the most incredible environment with amazing furniture, wallpaper, items, library etc. absolutely a once in a lifetime stay! You feel transported in time! Couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have high speed internet and a smart tv. Walking around this property I counted my lucky stars. Chandeliers were magnificent and you could look at that and more for hours! An absolutely wonderful location that helped you feel like a local living in Venice. The lamps and light placement glow up the apartment in a beautiful way. The air conditioning worked on such a hot day! That was very lucky and appreciated. I’ll never have a stay like this again. How lucky are we all that this property is available for guests to stay. Book now!
  
  What could be improved: That the bathroom and kitchen items weren’t clean, razor cover was left on the bathtub, almost empty shampoo containers left by a previous guest, very old coloured not matching bath towels provided, bathtub shower pressure wasn’t strong but that’s okay because it’s an old palace. I was informed that the cleaner was not available and that was evident in the small details. However Andrea did his best to have me checked in by 6:30pm and have my bed made. It helped having some basics in the kitchen but all had to be washed as many were dirty or greasy and some more utensils need to be provided eg. oil, spatula for eggs, clean sponges, non stained kitchen towels.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities