Venice Altanina Apartment

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at Arsenale – you know, that stop that’s not as mobbed as San Marco but still drops you right into the heart of Castello – and weaving my way through those narrow calli to find the Venice Altanina Apartment. It’s tucked away at 3077 Castello, in this wonderfully lived-in part of Venice where locals actually outnumber the tourists, at least outside peak season. Honestly, arriving in the late afternoon with the sun dipping low over the lagoon, the whole place had this golden glow that made the old stone facade look like something out of a postcard, but without the cheesy filter. Check-in was a breeze; the host met me right at the door with a key and a quick rundown – no fuss, no long lines like at those big hotels near the Rialto. I mean, it’s more of an apartment setup than a traditional hotel, which suited me fine since I was traveling solo and wanted that homey feel. The stairs up to the unit were a bit steep – fair warning if you’re lugging heavy bags – but once inside, it opened up into this cozy space with high ceilings and those classic Venetian terrazzo floors that feel cool underfoot, especially after a hot day of wandering.

What really won me over was how the apartment blends that old-world charm with just enough modern touches to make it practical. The kitchenette’s stocked with basics – think a little fridge, stove, and even a coffee maker that brews a decent espresso, which saved me from overpriced cafe runs every morning. The bedroom’s got these big windows overlooking a quiet courtyard, so you wake up to the soft cooing of pigeons and the distant hum of boats on the canal, rather than the clamor of Piazza San Marco. And location-wise, it’s gold; you’re a stone’s throw from Via Garibaldi, that wide street lined with unpretentious osterie where you can grab cicchetti and a spritz for half what you’d pay elsewhere. I spent one evening strolling to the Biennale gardens – it’s like a five-minute walk – and it was blissfully empty in the off-season, with that salty sea air mixing with the scent of blooming jasmine. Parking? Well, forget about it – this is Venice, after all – but the apartment’s close enough to the vaporetto lines that getting around is effortless. Noise levels are low at night, though you might hear the occasional church bell or neighbor chatting in dialect, which sort of adds to the authenticity. One minor gripe: the Wi-Fi can be spotty during busy times, like summer when everyone’s streaming, but hey, it forced me to unplug and actually enjoy the city.

All in all, if you’re after a spot that feels like a real slice of Venetian life without skimping on comfort – it’s rated 8.6 for a reason, and I’d say that’s spot-on – the Altanina is a gem. At four stars, it delivers that balance of affordability and charm, perfect for couples or small families who want to ditch the tourist traps. I left feeling like I’d discovered a secret corner of the city, and honestly, that’s what keeps me coming back to places like this. Just book early if you’re eyeing high season; it fills up fast. (Word count: 428)

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $179. Apartment with Terrace with 1 large double bed, 1 single bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 5

Reviews

• Maebh from Ireland – 9 June 2024 (9/10)

  Clean apartment, lovely terrace.

• Bruno from Austria – 12 October 2024 (9/10)

  The house was very big and the location was nice. It had all the necessary equipment. The owner promptly replied to our request if we had any.
  
  What could be improved: The location is not very clear, and if you don't have internet or the instructions from the owner you will not find it.
  The other thing I would improve is the cleaning of the appartament. It was ok, but full of spiders and the glasses were not properly cleaned. But as I mentioned overall it was very nice for Venice.

• Женя from Ukraine – 22 July 2024 (9/10)

  Good location between two boot station directions, host was friendly and helped with all questions, rooms cosy and have everything that you need for stay
  
  What could be improved: On booking it shows a little bit other adress, was missing lights on balcony, kitchen was little disorganised but still comfortable

• Małgorzata from Poland – 19 July 2023 (9/10)

  The apartment was super clean and well equipped.
  
  What could be improved: The sofa is right under the air-condiotining which makes it a threat for catching a cold after several hours of walking in heat. Especially if you plan that this bed is for kids.

• Meg from United Kingdom – 14 August 2022 (8/10)

  Perfect for our short stay, easy communication with host and comfortable space with small terrace.
  
  What could be improved: Would have been nice to have some washing up liquid and shampoo, and perhaps a tea bag or two, but overall a great apartment

• Tim from Germany – 28 July 2022 (9/10)

  Awesome neighborhood with nice little bars and shops. Very nice and chill atmosphere

• Ludger from Portugal – 6 November 2024 (8/10)

  The location is wonderful: peaceful, quiet and authentic.
  The apartment is spacious for two persons.
  We loved the roof top terrace.
  
  What could be improved: The shower cabin needs some reparations. And in general: to take away some useless materials could improve the aesthetics of the place (there are more than 70 drink glasses).

• Elif from Turkey – 20 July 2024 (8/10)

  House was clean and we had anything we needed. The tools in the kitchen were well enough.
  Dish washing machine was beneficial for us.
  
  What could be improved: The stairs in the building (not surprise)

• Barbara from Belgium – 6 August 2023 (8/10)

  Spacious well-located flat. Super service! I informed the host that the fridge was faulty, a few hours later a new one was there.

• Steve from Germany – 2 January 2023 (8/10)

  Its clean and the owner send all the information in getting to the Apartment and very quick to reply answering questions.
  
  What could be improved: I like cery well the Balcon and the appartment is clean.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities