Il Pozzo Magico

The room wasn’t comfortable, either. There was a strong unpleasant smell in the bathroom, the bed was old and uncomfortable, and the kitchen utensils were dirty. At check-in, the owner asked for €60 in cash for tourist tax, even though my booking confirmation said I owed only $12.90 USD. I showed my receipt and we went back and forth; he eventually reduced it, but I still paid €43.50, far above the amount listed. The exchange felt aggressive and his tone was unprofessional. It also came across as penny pinching to charge an extra €5 for my 16-year-old, since 16 is typically treated as a child for tourist tax in Italy. The stay was disappointing and didn’t match what had clearly been stated when I booked.

The owner brushed off our concern as “condensation,” which was frustrating given the health risk. My partner had an asthma flare-up during our stay, and the room’s very limited airflow only made the problem worse. Black mould covered part of the ceiling, and it looked as though someone had painted over it instead of fixing it properly. I wouldn’t recommend staying here until the mould issue is addressed.

The room had a comfortable bed, a mini-fridge, a kettle with free tea and coffee, and modern decor. The host was friendly and let us drop our bags off very early. Still, I didn’t feel it was good value for money. I can only compare it with the rooms we had in Florence and Rome, since I don’t know what else in Venice is like. The coffee bar next door was noisy at 6AM, and we couldn’t get an extra blanket when we asked around 5pm because we were told “no one in office.” It was a bit chilly, and the TV wasn’t connected. There’s no elevator, just one long, tall flight of stairs. When I put down my suitcase it rolled all the way across the room 😄. The location was convenient for reaching places, though not near a major vaporetto stop.

Mosquitoes were the big shock: we killed at least twenty when we first got in. Bring bug spray. It eased up later, but we really hadn’t expected that many. For two nights, the place was decent and reasonably priced, and it did what we needed, though I wouldn’t hurry back. It’s quiet and cozy in a more residential area, which we liked, and Venice is easy to get around on foot. A number of popular dinner spots are close by, but you need a reservation. We found some delicious places where we could eat without one. There’s no service at Il Pozzo Magico, though the owner was easy enough to contact. Fresh towels and toilet paper were left outside each day. Just keep in mind there’s no usual room service or breakfast. For the low price, I thought it was good value for our short visit, but I’d probably look elsewhere if I came back to Venice.