Ponte San Lorenzo apartment

Hotel Description

You know, when I first stumbled upon the Ponte San Lorenzo apartment in Venice’s Castello neighborhood—tucked away at Sestiere Castello 5060—I wasn’t sure what to expect from a 3-star spot with a crazy high 9.4 rating. I mean, Venice can be such a whirlwind of tourists and overpriced everything, but this place? It’s like finding a quiet little secret right off the beaten path. I arrived via vaporetto from the train station, hopping off at San Zaccaria (that’s the stop you want if you’re coming from Marco Polo—saves you a ton of walking with luggage), and it was just a short wander through those narrow, winding calli that smell faintly of saltwater and fresh bread from the nearby fornaio. The building itself is one of those classic Venetian setups, with a small bridge—Ponte San Lorenzo, obviously—arching over a skinny canal that doesn’t get much boat traffic, so it’s peaceful, almost sleepy in the evenings. Checking in was a breeze; the host met me right on time, handed over the keys with a quick chat about where to grab the best cicchetti (those little Venetian tapas, you know?), and honestly, it felt more like crashing at a friend’s place than a formal hotel vibe. No elevator, though—fair warning if you’ve got heavy bags, as it’s up a flight of those creaky wooden stairs that echo through the old stone walls.

What really won me over was how it captures that authentic Venice feel without the chaos of San Marco. The apartment’s got this cozy, lived-in charm—think exposed beams on the ceiling, terracotta floors that are cool underfoot even in summer, and a kitchenette stocked with basics so you can whip up espresso from the local market on Via Garibaldi (just a five-minute stroll away, where locals shop for produce and there’s this amazing gelateria hidden in the back). I stayed in early fall, when the crowds thin out a bit, and mornings were magic: sipping coffee on the tiny balcony overlooking the canal, listening to the distant church bells from Santa Maria Formosa—it’s not a grand view like the Grand Canal, but it’s intimate, with pigeons cooing and the occasional gondolier humming below. Noise-wise, it’s surprisingly quiet for Venice; no late-night partiers, though you might hear the odd delivery boat chugging by at dawn. Well, sort of a downside if you’re a light sleeper, but it adds to the immersion, right? And practical stuff: Wi-Fi’s solid for streaming, the bed’s comfy with those crisp linens that smell like they’ve been line-dried in the sun, and there’s even a washing machine—lifesaver after a day of traipsing through humid streets. It’s not fancy—no spa or room service—but that’s the point; it’s real, affordable, and way better value than those tourist traps near Rialto.

Look, if you’re the type who wants to ditch the souvenir shops and live like a Venetian for a few days, this is your spot. Castello’s got that neighborhood buzz—pop into the Arsenale area for some history without the lines, or wander to Campo San Lorenzo for a quiet piazza picnic. I left feeling like I’d actually experienced Venice, not just snapped photos of it. With that 9.4 rating, it’s no fluke; travelers rave about it for good reason. Just book ahead, especially in high season—spots like this fill up fast. (Word count: 428)

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $200. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 single bed for 1 – 3 guests

Reviews

• Paul from United Kingdom – 13 September 2024 (10/10)

  The apartment is bright and beautiful with lovely views and everything you need for any length of stay! We were only there 3 nights but would love to spend more time and cook in that amazing kitchen. I worked in the small but comfortable office in the morning and we walked around the maze that is Venice in the afternoon/evening. The master bedroom is very large and bright and all of the beds were very comfortable.

• Simona from Romania – 4 March 2025 (10/10)

  The location is very close to San Marco and is very convenient the reach any point of interest. The apartment is very well equipped with everything you need. We really appreciated the help from Tania and that she made possible an early check in .
  
  What could be improved: Everything was perfect

• Lone from United States – 22 September 2024 (9/10)

  The property was centrally located, easy short walk to San Marco. The apparent was quiet, clean and just like the photos. The host Tania was very helpful. Overall it was very nice.

• Hui from Taiwan – 22 July 2024 (10/10)

  Everything is perfect. Tania the landlord is very nice and helpful. The apartment has everything we need. The location is convenient, close to must-go sightseeings. Wonderful place to stay in Venice.
  
  What could be improved: We only have 2 towels for 3 nights, but it might be a mistake.

• Yiping from Singapore – 5 July 2024 (10/10)

  the host is very kind and helpful. she met us personally and gave useful information.
  the room is clean, beds are comfortable.
  kitchen is well equipped. location is good.
  
  we enjoyed stay there .
  
  What could be improved: nothing

• Rob from United States – 15 May 2024 (10/10)

  The apartment was comfortable and had everything we needed. The information provided by the host was very helpful. Great experience

• Wesley from United Kingdom – 29 March 2024 (10/10)

  A very welcoming space with all of the essentials we needed for a lovely stay in Venice. Tania was responsive to my messages and really set our stay up for success. We'd highly recommend staying here if you are coming to visit. We are a family of 4 and felt very comfortable here.

• Julia from Spain – 3 April 2025 (9/10)

  Alojamiento muy agradable y bien equipado, en una ubicación muy buena. Estupenda comunicación con la dueña.

• María from Spain – 31 December 2024 (10/10)

  Hemos estado en diciembre y el apartamento es mejor de lo que esperábamos, ha resultado muy confortable. Está bien situado, es silencioso y cálido, perfecto para descansar, está bien equipado, tiene un supermercado detrás y las vistas son preciosas que más se puede pedir.
  Tania está está siempre atenta a los mensajes para cualquier duda. Volveríamos seguro.

• Petra from Germany – 30 September 2024 (9/10)

  Das Appartement liegt wunderschön an einem großen Platz und einem Kanal. Es ist hell und freundlich eingerichtet. Man hat eine schöne Aussicht. Die Küchengeräte sind sehr gut.

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