Vivaldi Suites R&R

Hotel Description

I remember stepping off the vaporetto at the Guglie stop – you know, that one right by the Ponte delle Guglie with its funky iron spikes – and weaving my way through the narrow alleys of Cannaregio to find Vivaldi Suites R&R. It’s tucked away on Rio Terà S. Leonardo, just a stone’s throw from the old Jewish Ghetto, which honestly feels like a hidden gem in Venice where locals actually outnumber the tourists. No cars honking or anything, since this is Venice after all, but the walk from Santa Lucia train station is a breeze, maybe 10-15 minutes if you’re not lugging too much baggage. I arrived in the late afternoon during shoulder season – early October, when the crowds thin out but the weather’s still mild – and the place had this cozy, lived-in vibe right from the start. The facade isn’t flashy; it’s one of those classic Venetian buildings with weathered stone and wooden shutters that creak a bit in the breeze off the canal. Check-in was straightforward, the staff – a mix of friendly Italians who speak great English – handed over the keys with a quick chat about nearby spots like that little bacaro on Strada Nova for cicchetti and spritz if you’re peckish.

Inside, the suites are what really sold me – spacious for Venice standards, with high ceilings and these massive windows that let in the golden light reflecting off the water. Mine had a kitchenette, which was a lifesaver for whipping up a quick pasta after a day of dodging gondolas; honestly, it’s not gourmet, but having a fridge for those market-fresh cheeses from the Rialto (just a 20-minute stroll away) made it feel like a home base rather than a hotel room. The beds are comfy, sort of firm but with soft linens that smell faintly of lavender – I slept like a log, even with the occasional distant hum of a boat motor at night. Well, noise-wise, it’s pretty quiet here compared to the chaos around San Marco; Cannaregio has that residential hum, like faint chatter from neighbors or the bells from the Madonna dell’Orto church echoing in the morning. Breakfast isn’t included, but they have a partnership with a nearby café – nothing fancy, just decent espresso and cornetti – and the Wi-Fi held up for streaming, though it dipped a tad during peak evening hours. One minor gripe: the bathroom was on the smaller side, with a shower that takes a second to warm up, but hey, in a city built on water, you get used to these quirks.

All in all, if you’re looking for a spot that’s authentic Venice without the overwhelming bustle, Vivaldi Suites is a solid choice – that 8.4 rating feels spot-on. It’s perfect for couples or small families wanting to unwind (the R&R in the name isn’t just marketing fluff), especially if you time it for quieter months like November when the fog rolls in and everything feels magical. I mean, I left feeling like I’d actually lived a slice of Venetian life, wandering to the Ghetto Nuovo for history or hopping a boat to Murano. Sure, it’s not the ritziest 4-star out there, but for the price and location, you’d be hard-pressed to find better – just pack light and embrace the walk.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $175. Deluxe Double Room with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $199. Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $211. Superior Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Rose from United States – 27 July 2024 (9/10)

  Great location, nice apartment
  
  What could be improved: Bed not as comfortable as we hoped for

• Adnan from Netherlands – 1 March 2025 (9/10)

  Location location location. And a very clean building and apartment.
  
  What could be improved: The stairs.

• David from United States – 24 October 2024 (8/10)

  The location in Cannaregio couldn’t be better. The bedding was very comfortable, and we were glad to have booked a place with in-unit laundry since our 2-night stay at this location was part of a significantly longer trip to Italy. The unit was pretty quiet while being on a busy street.
  
  What could be improved: The check in process could have been a little bit smoother. Since it was a keypad entry for both the outer and inner doors, it seemed unnecessary to send someone to the property to let us in (though the property attendant was responsive and helpful when we needed to meet up).
  
  The front door of the unit felt less secure than would typically be expected. The door itself felt a little flimsy/thin, and only had one latch that you had to slam shut. Adding an addition latch lock would be beneficial.

• Alina from Luxembourg – 15 October 2024 (9/10)

  Location, historical palazzo, quiete

• Julia from Australia – 10 October 2024 (9/10)

  Apartment was located in a fabulous area near the old Jewish quarter (Cannaregio). It was an easy walk to all the major attractions e.g. the Rialto Bridge and the Duomo. Although there was a fully functional kitchen there were also a lot of good restaurant options nearby too. Added bonus it was an easy walk to get to the apartment from the S.Lucia train station. The host met us on site, pretty easy to access the doors although we did need two codes.
  
  What could be improved: There are two flights of pretty steep stairs to get to the apartment. The couch was broken during our stay so it was pretty uncomfortable trying to sit on it while watching tv. A few added extras in the kitchen would have been great such as a tea towel (or paper towel/napkins).

• Shelly from United States – 21 September 2024 (9/10)

  Great amenities. Clean. Beautiful ceilings. Safe.
  
  What could be improved: They’re tough to communicate with. Valentina was friendly, but no one else. They need a more friendly and more helpful contact person. And they must put extra bedding in a closet for the pull out sofa. My daughter slept without blankets and sheets!

• Ana from United States – 14 September 2024 (9/10)

  Spacious apartment on a top floor in a beautiful building. Modern and quiet. Easy check in and a very responsive owner.

• Ariano from United States – 27 August 2024 (9/10)

  Clean, well maintained, modern. All amenities needed and very comfortable.
  
  What could be improved: Just high up lots of stairs like most hotels and bnbs in Venice.

• Talin from Armenia – 5 August 2024 (9/10)

  So cozy, and the most important thing is close to the bus station but at the same time close to centre so friendly staff special thanks to Pietro, he helped us so much to find right bus to arrive Venice and also recommend good places to go 💗💗
  
  What could be improved: Just last night we didn’t had warm water to take a shower

• Rob from United Kingdom – 18 July 2024 (9/10)

  Clean modern but still charmish
  
  What could be improved: Price was high

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities