San Marco View Terrace Apartment R&R

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at San Zaccaria – you know, that stop right by the Bridge of Sighs – and weaving through the narrow calli to find the San Marco View Terrace Apartment R&R. It’s tucked away at 605 San Marco, smack in the heart of the San Marco district, but honestly, it feels like a little secret hideout amid all the tourist bustle. I mean, you’re just a five-minute stroll from Piazza San Marco, where the pigeons flock like they own the place and the basilica’s bells chime every hour on the hour – that sound carries right to your terrace if the wind’s right. Checking in was a breeze; the host met me at the door with a key and a quick rundown in broken English mixed with Italian gestures – no fancy lobby, just a straightforward handover that made me feel like I was crashing at a friend’s place. Oh, and fair warning: Venice being Venice, there are stairs to climb – no elevator here, which is par for the course in these old buildings, but pack light if you’re not up for hauling suitcases up a flight or two. The apartment itself is cozy, sort of like a lived-in studio with that classic Venetian charm – think exposed beams, creaky wooden floors that whisper underfoot, and a faint salty tang from the nearby canals drifting in when you crack a window.

What really sold me on this spot, though, was the terrace – it’s not some massive rooftop, but big enough for a couple of chairs and a table, with views straight out over the rooftops toward the Campanile and bits of the lagoon if you squint. I spent my mornings there with coffee from the little kitchenette (well-equipped, by the way – there’s a stovetop, fridge, and even a washing machine, which saved me after a rainy day slog through the streets). You know what? It’s surprisingly quiet at night; the daytime crowds thin out after sunset, and you’re left with the occasional gondola serenade echoing from below or the hum of a distant water taxi. I wandered out to nearby spots like Campo San Maurizio for a quick spritz at a local bar – avoid the overpriced cafes right on the square if you can, they’re tourist magnets – or popped over to the Rialto Bridge in under 10 minutes for fresh produce at the market. It’s rated an 8.7 for good reason; the place is clean, the Wi-Fi’s reliable (streaming Netflix on rainy afternoons? No problem), but it’s not luxurious – the bathroom’s compact, and the AC can be a bit finicky in peak summer heat. Still, for a 3-star apartment, it punches above its weight, especially if you’re traveling solo or as a couple looking to self-cater and save a few euros.

All in all, if you’re heading to Venice and want that authentic feel without breaking the bank – or dealing with the impersonal vibe of bigger hotels – this is your spot. It’s perfect for off-season visits when the city’s less mobbed (think November, when the fog rolls in and everything feels magical), but even in high summer, the terrace offers a peaceful escape from the throngs. I’d go back in a heartbeat, maybe pack some earplugs for those early church bells, but honestly, they’re part of the charm. Just remember to grab a vaporetto pass; walking everywhere is romantic until your feet beg for mercy.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $482. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for 1 – 4 guests

Reviews

• Cristina from United States – 8 September 2023 (9/10)

  Location was amazing, and they provided the best customer service. the apartment was very spacious and the terrace awesome!

• Evren from Belgium – 16 November 2023 (9/10)

  Location is very central, they helped us with transport from Treviso airport (driver waiting at the exit, very comfortablye taxi ride and water taxi), we were contacted before with the explanation on how to check in, they answered all our questions before as well. Great apartment with all amenities, washing machine, dishwasher, 2 bathrooms and 2 toilets. Wonderful terras. Beds were very comfortable. We could turn on the heating to have very warm rooms.
  
  What could be improved: All was perfect.

• Varun from Australia – 8 July 2023 (9/10)

  Just amazing as shown in pics
  
  What could be improved: You need to walk up the stairs. Don’t bring luggage if you have walk upto the third floor with that luggage.

• Terako from United States – 5 June 2023 (9/10)

  The apartment was finely appointed and was centrally located to San Marco's Basilica and the place to access gondolas and the water bus.
  
  What could be improved: N/a

• Loty from Israel – 11 May 2023 (9/10)

  central location
  
  What could be improved: all good 👍

• Adrian from United Kingdom – 19 April 2023 (8/10)

  location
  
  What could be improved: ceiling height

• Renee from United States – 31 March 2023 (9/10)

  The location was great. It's a gorgeous property. It was very clean. Very spacious.
  
  What could be improved: There weren't any chairs for the table on the rooftop. No wine glasses. We could have used more toiletries for six people. There was no dryer only a drying rack.

• Angelique from United States – 13 March 2023 (9/10)

  The place is very beautiful, has a great view from the top. It’s kind of like three levels better than the pictures. Flavia went above and beyond, and helped us when we were lost and kept in constant communication. thank you!
  
  What could be improved: no elevator

• Matthew from United States – 7 January 2023 (8/10)

  Awesome location! Great staff
  
  What could be improved: Limited privacy between rooms

• Theresa from United Kingdom – 1 August 2022 (9/10)

  Fabulous location, just off Piazza San Marco, which meant that we could explore late into the evening, when the tourists had thinned out-this might sound trivial, but for us, it was a huge bonus, especially at the height of the summer, plus (as an itinerant, interrailing family!) our stay was very short, so we wanted to make the most of the available time. Stunning and characterful accommodation; we especially liked the balcony; there was a thunderstorm on our only night there, but we ventured up onto the terrace when it was safe to do so; the views were breathtaking.
  The ambience of the area was also friendly and surprisingly "local" feeling…we felt both safe and welcome. It was also amazingly quiet, so we slept like logs. The beds were extremely comfortable (even the sofabed, according to one of our teenage sons, so high praise indeed) and the two bathrooms and aircon both wonderful for our needs. Towels, hairdryer and toiletries provided, along with an oven, dishwasher and Italian coffee machine in the kitchen 🙂 (we nipped out to get some milk from a local shop, but coffee pods were provided).
  
  Virginia was extremely lovely to us, meeting us outside the property, and bearing with us when we got lost en route (our map reading skills are usually pretty good!). If it helps future guests, we used "what three words" to find the apartment using: https://w3w.co/tend.mammals.worked
  
  All-in-all, an INCREDIBLE find which was well worth the money. We will definitely stay here again…hopefully for longer, and would wholeheartedly recommend this apartment to family and friends.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities