Uncharted Venice – Ca’ Borgoloco

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon Uncharted Venice – Ca’ Borgoloco almost by accident last spring, right when the cherry blossoms were starting to peek out along the quieter canals in Castello. I’d been wandering from the Santa Lucia station, dragging my suitcase over those uneven cobblestones – honestly, if you’re not used to Venice’s no-cars vibe, it’s a bit of a workout, but totally worth it. The address is tucked away on Borgoloco S. Lorenzo, this narrow little alley off Campo San Lorenzo, and let me tell you, it’s not one of those flashy spots screaming for attention like the hotels around Piazza San Marco. No, this place feels like a secret – you turn a corner past that old church with the bells that chime softly in the mornings, and suddenly you’re at this restored 16th-century palazzo. Check-in was a breeze; the staff – mostly locals who know every vaporetto shortcut – handed me a handwritten map of hidden gems, like that tiny bacaro on Calle della Madonna where you can grab cicchetti for pennies. I mean, it’s not perfect; the entrance is a tad dim in the evenings, and if you’re arriving after dark, you might miss the discreet sign, but that’s Venice for you – charmingly elusive.

What really hooked me was how the hotel blends that old-world texture with just enough modern comfort without overdoing it. My room overlooked a sliver of canal – nothing grand like the Grand Canal views, but you could hear the gentle lap of water against the stones at night, and smell that faint, briny sea air mixed with fresh bread from the bakery downstairs (pro tip: snag a cornetto early before the locals clean them out). The beds are plush, with those heavy linen sheets that feel like they’ve been aired out in the lagoon breeze, and the bathroom had this massive rain shower that washed away the day’s humidity – Venice in summer can get sticky, you know? It’s rated 9.4 for a reason; everything’s spotless, but not sterile – think exposed brick walls and creaky wooden floors that add character. I spent afternoons exploring nearby, like strolling to the Arsenale for that naval history vibe or hopping the vaporetto from San Zaccaria (just a five-minute walk) to hit the islands. Oh, and parking? Forget it – this is boat territory, but they arranged a water taxi drop-off seamlessly. One minor gripe: the Wi-Fi can be spotty in the thicker-walled rooms, especially during peak tourist season in July when everyone’s streaming, but hey, it forced me to unplug and actually enjoy the quiet hours after 10 PM, when the streets empty out and it’s just you and the echoing footsteps.

All in all, if you’re after a slice of authentic Venice without the San Marco crowds – well, this is it. It’s a solid 4-star spot that feels more like staying in a friend’s historic home than a hotel, and at that rating, it’s a steal for what you get. I’d go back in a heartbeat, especially in the off-season fall when the fog rolls in and makes everything magical. Just pack light, watch your step on those bridges, and let the place surprise you – it did for me.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $181. Two-Bedroom Apartment with City View with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Exceptional – Tetiana from Poland – 17 May 2025 (10/10)

  We stayed at these apartments in Venice and were absolutely delighted! The conditions were excellent — clean, cozy, and everything was thoughtfully arranged. The rooms were spacious, and having two bathrooms was a big plus for a family or a group. The location is perfect — all major attractions are within walking distance, which is super convenient. A lovely touch was a bottle of Prosecco from the host — such a nice welcome after the trip. Highly recommended!

• 10/10 best accommodation we had travelling in Northern Italy so far. – Hailing from Australia – 23 April 2025 (10/10)

  Quiet area but near to everything. The owner is very friendly and thoughtful, no problem communicating with us in English, and quick to respond to all our questions. He kindly let us leave our luggage in the apartment before checking in. Plenty supply of kitchen utensils, clean rooms and even a book on local food and areas introductions in both English and Italian. A bottle of wine to welcome us, we are so impressed!
  
  What could be improved: The buzzer is not working at downstairs entrance, but not a big deal to us.

• Superb – Ádám from Hungary – 21 April 2025 (9/10)

  Recently refurbished and well-equipped apartment in a good location (10 minutes walk from Piazza San Marco). The host is very kind, attentive and helpful.
  
  What could be improved: Unpleasant smell in the bathroom.

• Exceptional – Krzysztof from Poland – 23 June 2025 (10/10)

  Lokalizacja apartamentu pozwalająca na szybkie dojście do atrakcji Wenecji i Vaporetto. Cisza i spokój wokół budynku. W apartamencie czysto, wyposażenie zapewnia komfortowy pobyt dla 4 osób. Od właściciela uzyskaliśmy potrzebne informacje na każdym etapie rezerwacji jak i na miejscu. To nasz kolejny nocleg w Wenecji i ten na pewno należał do najlepszych. Polecamy nocleg u Eugenio.

• Parfait à refaire – Rodolphe from Switzerland – 3 June 2025 (10/10)

  Nous avons adoré ! Super bien placé, très grand et très propre. Super calme également.

• Parfait. – Valérie from France – 6 May 2025 (10/10)

  L’accueil par Eugenio était très sympathique. L’appartement est très très bien. Il est grand, très propre, très bien agencé, très bien placé pour visiter Venise à pied. Le quartier est calme, nous a très bien dormi. C’était parfait.
  
  What could be improved: Tout était très bien

• Good – Jorge from Spain – 16 June 2025 (7/10)

  Las vigas de.madera, la ubicación
  
  What could be improved: No pudimos dejar las maletas.antes de la hora de entrada a las 15.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities