Hotel Laguna Residence

The staff at Laguna and Ca Nova were kind and worked hard to help me through a frightening, confusing situation. I was traveling alone, and their help made me feel safe. I'm very grateful to them. I booked Laguna at the last minute for a few nights after my Venice trip went sideways. When I arrived, I was told there wasn't a room available and was sent to Ca Nova Restaurant Hotel, a few blocks away. I panicked because I didn't understand what was happening. The front desk woman sat with me, reassured me, offered water, and gave me space to breathe. A young man carried my luggage to the other location and showed me my room. The neighborhood seemed a bit dodgy, so I appreciated having someone walk me there. Ca Nova was too far from where I had originally planned to stay, so I asked for a refund and an early check-out. I was told that wasn't possible. The young man called the manager for me, and the manager was kind and said we could work something out in the morning. The next day, the manager wasn't there. I was anxious again: my room had already been booked out, I had nowhere to go, and I was out of money. After about two hours, restaurant staff started arriving. They offered refreshments and tried different ways to help. One woman especially went out of her way for me, though I wish I'd gotten her name. The young man from the night before was still working; he brought me coffee and offered a free breakfast. He was so patient, kind, and hardworking, and I can't thank him enough. A very nice restaurant worker, maybe in his sixties and carrying a laptop, drove me back to Laguna and said something friendly that helped put me at ease. I was stressed and worried, and he was calming. Back at Laguna, I spoke with the manager, whose name I also didn't catch. He spoke English and helped me figure out a refund. He let me split it between MoneyGram, which I still never received, and cash, so I had some money for the night. I appreciated that he found a kind, creative way to help. I got by until I could leave Italy, and things worked out in the end. My stay didn't go as planned, but I believe I was safe and among good people. I don't know what I would have done that night without the team at Laguna and Ca Nova. Traveling alone can be unpredictable. Thank you, Laguna and Ca Nova staff, for being there. I'm sorry I panicked, and I really appreciate your help.

Just before I was due to arrive for the Venice Biennale opening, my hotel booking was canceled. Nobody told me why or how it had happened. By then, everywhere else was either fully booked or far beyond what I could afford. A trip that should have been pleasant became a real nightmare.

The staff were nice, and the bus stop is close, so getting to Venice and back is easy. There are two or three bus stations, though, and the Venice bus leaves from different ones depending on the day and time. Buying a day pass online is cheaper and easier. The room had some real downsides. We could hear every word from the neighbors, along with their alarm at 7 in the morning, through the thin walls. Under the bed was disgusting, with garbage and other stuff left there.

Getting into the city by public transport was easy, and the area wasn't especially noisy at night. The AC worked well, which we definitely needed here. The room was a typical hotel room, though the wallpaper looked as if an idiot had put it up, and there were odd warm patches on the floor. It was basic, but basically fine. While we were there, the hotel seemed geared toward visiting Koreans, and the restaurant served only Korean food. Breakfast wasn't included. WiFi details were only at reception, with nothing in the room.