Palazzo Raspi – Private Gym and Canal View

Hotel Description

I remember stumbling upon Palazzo Raspi almost by accident last spring – well, not really by accident, since I’d booked it after hearing from a friend who’d stayed in San Polo before. It’s tucked away on Calle de Ca’ Raspi, this narrow little alley off the beaten path in Venice’s San Polo district, and honestly, that’s part of its charm. You hop off the vaporetto at San Tomà (line 1 or 2, super easy from the train station), and it’s just a five-minute wander through those twisting calles – you know, the ones lined with old stone walls that smell faintly of salt water and fresh bread from the nearby bakeries. No cars in Venice, obviously, so you’re lugging your suitcase over bridges, but the hotel staff were quick to help with that when I arrived, all smiles and no fuss during check-in. The building itself is this restored palazzo – think exposed wooden beams and that classic Venetian plasterwork – and my room overlooked a quiet side canal, where you could hear the gentle lap of water against the walls at night, sort of lulling you to sleep after a day of dodging tourists.

What really sold me, though, was the private gym – I mean, in a city where you’re already walking miles every day, having a spot to stretch or hit the treadmill felt like a luxury. It’s not huge, just a compact setup in the basement with free weights, a couple of machines, and big windows letting in that soft canal light (pro tip: go early morning when it’s empty, before the breakfast crowd wakes up). My room was spacious for Venice standards, with a king bed that didn’t creak like some older places do, and the canal view meant waking up to gondolas gliding by – actually, one morning I spotted a local fisherman pulling in his nets, which felt like a peek into real Venetian life. The bathroom had those heated marble floors, a nice touch in cooler months, and the Wi-Fi was surprisingly solid for streaming, even if the signal dipped a bit in the evenings when everyone logs on. Breakfast was straightforward – fresh croissants, cappuccino, some fruit – served in a cozy courtyard that buzzes with birdsong, but nothing over-the-top gourmet. Oh, and if you’re there in high season, like July, the area can get noisy with day-trippers spilling over from Rialto Market (just a 10-minute stroll away, where you can grab the best cicchetti at hole-in-the-wall spots like All’Arco), but the hotel itself stays pretty serene, especially after dark.

Look, if you’re after that authentic Venice vibe without the San Marco chaos, Palazzo Raspi is a solid pick – it’s got that 4-star polish with an 8-rating feel that’s earned, not inflated. You’re steps from Campo San Polo, this big square where locals actually hang out playing soccer or sipping spritzes at outdoor cafes, and it’s easy to nip over to Frari Church for some Tintoretto masterpieces without the crowds. I wouldn’t call it perfect – the air conditioning hummed a tad loudly in my room, and prices spike in summer like everywhere else – but for couples or solo travelers wanting a mix of history, views, and a private workout spot, it’s the kind of place that makes you linger. I’d go back in a heartbeat, maybe in fall when the fog rolls in and the canals turn all mysterious.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $674. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 5

Reviews

• Siddarth from United Arab Emirates – 15 September 2024 (8/10)

  The apartment was very good and well appointed, clean and very comfortable with a lot of space . The host was good and efficient and quick to respond.
  
  What could be improved: The location is good but not great. the area around smells of sewerage and there are ZERO views. In addition, the apartment building is still under refit but did not hamper our stay.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities