Stin House Basilica dei Frari

Hotel Description

I remember stumbling upon Stin House Basilica dei Frari almost by accident last spring – I’d just hopped off the vaporetto at San Tomà, dodging the usual throng of day-trippers with their wheeled suitcases clattering over the bridges, and there it was, tucked away on that quiet stretch of San Polo, right at 2534. Honestly, after a sweaty train ride from Milan, the place felt like a cool embrace; the entrance is this unassuming wooden door framed by ivy-clinging stone walls that scream old Venice without trying too hard. You know, the kind where you half-expect to hear echoes of gondoliers singing from the nearby Rio di San Polo canal. Check-in was a breeze – the owner, this chatty local guy named Marco, handed over the keys with a quick rundown of the best cicchetti spots nearby (try the baccalà at that hole-in-the-wall on Campo San Polo, he said, and he wasn’t wrong). No fancy lobby bells and whistles, but that’s Venice for you – everything’s compact, and the narrow staircase up to the rooms (no elevator, mind you, so pack light if you’re on the top floor) adds to the charm, or maybe the workout, depending on your mood.

What really hooked me, though, was how the hotel blends right into the neighborhood – it’s literally steps from the Basilica dei Frari, that massive Gothic church with Titian’s masterpieces inside, and I mean, you can hear the bells tolling softly in the mornings, mixing with the scent of espresso wafting from the corner bar. My room overlooked a tiny courtyard, all terracotta pots and hanging laundry – nothing glamorous, but it felt authentic, you know? The bed was plush, with those crisp white linens that smell faintly of lavender (they must use some local detergent), and the bathroom had this rainfall shower that washed away the day’s grime from wandering the alleys. Oh, and speaking of practical stuff, there’s decent Wi-Fi, which isn’t always a given in these historic buildings, and they offer a simple breakfast spread – fresh cornetti, yogurt, and fruit – served in a cozy communal area where I ended up chatting with a couple from Australia about avoiding the Rialto crowds by sticking to early mornings. It’s not perfect; the walls are thin enough that you might catch snippets of Italian conversations from the street below, especially during Carnevale when things get lively, but earplugs sorted that out for me. And in summer, well, Venice can get humid, so the AC was a godsend, though it hummed a bit like an old fan.

Look, if you’re the type who wants to ditch the tourist traps and actually live like a Venetian for a few days, this 4-star spot with its 9.3 rating is spot-on. It’s not flashy – no rooftop pool or spa treatments – but that’s what makes it special; you’re immersed in San Polo’s rhythm, close enough to pop over to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco for some Tiepolo frescoes or grab a spritz at a bacaro without the hassle of long walks. I left feeling like I’d uncovered a secret, and honestly, in a city as overhyped as Venice, that’s saying something. Just book ahead for quieter months like October – avoids the peak-season bustle and lets you savor those misty mornings by the canal.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $185. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 single beds and 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Beautiful apartment – Aditya from Hong Kong – 30 May 2025 (9/10)

  Amazing location, and very well kept apartment. The kitchen is fully functional, including coffee. The bed was very comfortable and very spacious place with 2 bedrooms. Feels like a brand new place and in walking distance you can access prime locations.
  
  What could be improved: The boiler in the shower takes time to reheat, but didn’t impact much once we figured it out.

• Everything was ok, according to the offer. – Krzysztof from Poland – 20 May 2025 (10/10)

  Everything was ok

• Perfect position away from the main tourist drag, but within easy reach of vaporetti stops to main attractions. – Sally from United Kingdom – 15 April 2025 (10/10)

  I liked that the property was so well positioned from a personal perspective – ie away from the tourists and so quiet within the apartment. It was spotlessly clean and we enjoyed a very warm welcome from Nicola.

• Great location if you are looking to be close to the action but away from the crowd – J from Singapore – 30 December 2024 (10/10)

  Location is amazing. We were just minutes away from the nearest vaporetto. There were several places of interest right next to our doorstep. Food around the area was exceptionally good and better priced than the more touristy areas.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing really. The neighbour upstairs started some kind of renovation (we heard drilling sounds in the morning). Fortunately, it started on the day we were checking out.

• Great stay – Manuel from Australia – 27 December 2024 (9/10)

  Excellent location – walking distance to train station and St Marks – even close to the supermarket. The apartment was well appointed and very clean, and the owner was very helpful.
  
  What could be improved: No TV.

• Close to the train station and the vaporetto. Very clean. – Kim from Germany – 19 May 2024 (9/10)

  Very clean, well equipped kitchen and bedrooms

• Perfect location. Big apartment. – Kristl from United States – 5 November 2023 (10/10)

  The size of the apartment and the location. Washing machine and big comfy beds.
  
  What could be improved: Neighbors were a club or party house? A little loud but not bad.

• The host sends persistent WhatsApp messages and tries to charge fees outside Booking, using an intimidating tone after c – Carlos from Brazil – 12 July 2025 (5/10)

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  What could be improved: The location is good, but unfortunately the experience was unpleasant. The host kept messaging me on WhatsApp, even asking what time exactly I would arrive and leave, which felt intrusive.
  After check-out, I received intimidating messages asking for tourist tax payment outside the platform via WhatsApp – which goes against Booking.com policies.
  I do not recommend this place, mainly due to the aggressive communication and the attempt to charge outside of the platform.

• Superb – Nils from Germany – 10 July 2025 (9/10)

  Sehr gute Lage – ideal, um auch mal den Touristenströmen zu entgehen und in der Nähe Essen und Trinken zu gehen

• Exceptional – Raúl from Spain – 18 April 2025 (10/10)

  Sí, estaba el dueño esperándonos.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities