San Pantalon Luxury Penthouse R&R

Hotel Description

I remember stumbling upon the San Pantalon Luxury Penthouse R&R almost by accident last spring – you know, one of those trips where you’re wandering Venice’s back canals after ditching the crowded San Marco area, and suddenly you’re in Dorsoduro, which honestly feels like the city’s best-kept secret if you’re not into the tourist crush. It’s tucked away at 3593 Fondamenta Malcanton, right along this quiet little waterway that’s more about locals chatting over espresso than selfie sticks. I arrived by vaporetto from Piazzale Roma – the Ca’ Rezzonico stop is just a five-minute stroll away, dodging those narrow calli that twist like a maze, but hey, that’s Venice for you. Check-in was a breeze; the host met me at the door with a key and a quick rundown – no fancy lobby, just a historic building with creaky wooden stairs leading up to the penthouse level. I mean, it’s rated a solid 7 out of 10 for a reason – it’s luxurious without being over-the-top pretentious, but those stairs? Pack light if you’re not up for a workout, especially after a long flight.

What really hooked me was the place itself – this sprawling penthouse with these massive windows overlooking the Rio de la Frescada, where you can hear the gentle lap of water against the stone and smell that faint, briny canal scent mixed with fresh bread from the bakery down on Campo Santa Margherita, which is literally a stone’s throw away. The rooms are decked out in that classic Venetian style – think velvet cushions, exposed beams that feel authentically old (not the fake distressed kind), and a kitchenette that’s actually stocked well enough to whip up a pasta dinner from the market stalls nearby. I spent evenings on the terrace sipping prosecco, watching gondolas glide by – it’s got this R&R vibe nailed, like the name promises, but fair warning, it can get a bit noisy in the mornings when delivery boats chug along the canal. Oh, and the bathroom? Marble everything, with one of those rain showers that make you linger – though the water pressure dipped a tad during peak hours, which is sort of par for the course in these old buildings. It’s a four-star spot, so you’re getting plush beds and air conditioning that actually works in the humid summer months, but it’s not immune to Venice’s quirks; I noticed a faint musty smell after a rainy day, nothing a quick window-open couldn’t fix.

Honestly, if you’re looking to escape the frenzy of the Grand Canal crowds – and let’s face it, who isn’t after a day dodging tour groups in Piazza San Marco – this penthouse is a gem for couples or small groups wanting that immersive, lived-in Venice feel. It’s perfect in shoulder seasons like April or October when Dorsoduro’s quieter, with fewer people clogging the paths to spots like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, just a 10-minute walk away. I’d go back in a heartbeat for the views alone, but maybe skip high summer if you’re sensitive to heat – the place doesn’t have a pool, after all. At the end of the day, it’s not flawless, but it’s got that authentic charm that makes you feel like you’ve uncovered a piece of real Venice, you know? Well worth it if you’re after luxury with a side of local flavor.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $272. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 6

Reviews

• Great apartment with beautiful views in a nice location. – Morgan from United States – 3 June 2024 (8/10)

  Spacious, updated and nicely decorated. Lots of natural light, beautiful views from all windows and the AC in shared areas worked well. Location was great: a quiet residential area but in walking distance to a lot of shops, restaurants, vaparetto stops, etc. Provided a nice booklet with information about the apartment and Rome.
  
  What could be improved: AC would be nice in the bedrooms as it got hot and leaving the windows open let in mosquitos. WiFi didn’t work throughout the property. Knew about the stairs ahead of time but hard to navigate with luggage, also took us a few days to figure out how to turn on the stairwell lights. Could use extra towels and more mirrors throughout.

• big apartment, close to the parking at the entrance of Venice – Ayala from Israel – 15 October 2022 (8/10)

  big apartment, very close to the parking at the entrance of Venice( disadvantage- far from san Markus piazza). great view of Venice
  
  What could be improved: lots of stairs.

• Perfect location, would recommend it – Hannah from United Kingdom – 28 October 2023 (8/10)

  Perfect location, just five minutes from the bus station and water taxis. Very quiet up on our floor, but only 50m from a busy thoroughfare with shops and restaurants. Well lit to the apartment so we felt very safe. Comfortable beds and beautiful view of a canal from the bedrooms.
  
  What could be improved: Would have preferred less stairs to the apartment! Sofa in living room not very comfortable.

• Comfortable apartment but far from tourist attractions especially – Ibrahim from United States – 2 August 2023 (7/10)

  The apartment was clean and well maintained
  
  What could be improved: The location is really off from the main touristy areas. You must take a water bus or taxi ti get around. All the tourists attractions are about 30 minutes walk but I was under the impression that I was staying the center of it all.

• Pleasant – Shoaib from United States – 30 June 2024 (6/10)

  Location
  
  What could be improved: No elevator
  Very old building
  Improper interior

• We loved our stay- it was great for any family of 6 – Gabriella from United States – 7 June 2024 (9/10)

  The property was nice and roomy for a family of 5. Good location- easy to walk to all the tourist locations. Kitchen was great had all the amenities and the washer came in handy!
  
  What could be improved: It only had 1 bathroom- and our toilet clogged the first night and we didn’t have a plunger. We just used hot water down the toilet and threw the toilet paper in the trash. It was only an issue when multiple kids needed to use the restroom.
  Walking up 6 flights of stairs maybe hard for some folks – but a good work out for us.
  It was a bit warm in the master bedroom, but we left the AC on while we were out and closed the windows so it stayed cool when we got home.

• Amazing apartment. Would stay again in a heartbeat. – Anthony from Australia – 16 December 2023 (9/10)

  Excellent location. Perfect apartment.

• Clean, location, antique and luxury. – Nirwan from United States – 4 November 2023 (10/10)

  Great experience with this apartment. This place is perfect for family. We loved all the house decor and amenities provided. Staff was very professional and helpful on checking.
  
  What could be improved: The property is in antique house which means no elevators and located on the very top floor. Little bit of struggle to carry on luggages but it was totally worth it.

• Fabulous – Hartmann from United States – 4 October 2023 (10/10)

  Modern, beautiful furniture, artwork & comfortable beds. The apartment look completely refurbished with exquisite taste.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Beautiful stay in Venice, we wish we could stay longer 🙂 – Thi from Australia – 30 July 2023 (10/10)

  The house itself, its building, beautiful view to the canal and churches in the front of the property, location closes to bus, vaporetto and stazione … everything is above our expectation. Also it is convenient walking distance to Rialto Bridge, Academia Museum and various piazzas. We managed to make a day trip from here to Verona and Padova without a hiccup.
  You will reach the apartment by stairs so if you have large luggage it's better to leave some at the luggage storage in the station and bring only necessary stuff with you.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities