Otto House Apartment

A small apartment tucked into a quiet part of central Venice. It looks straight onto a canal, with gondolas passing by.

It's an older place that's been renovated, but it wasn't quite spotless when we arrived. The fridge was pretty dirty, for instance, and the bins hadn't been emptied. There's no window or fan in the bathroom, which seems like a questionable choice. Still, the beds are comfortable and the table is very spacious. All in all, it was fine for two nights.

We originally thought this was a charming little holiday apartment in Venice's winding streets, and a great base for exploring. The owners answered questions quickly and politely on WhatsApp. There was no in-person contact. The key was in a safe at the house, and we left the payment there too. At that point, I would have recommended it. Update: I have to change my view of the owners. We booked two nights but, through our own carelessness, overslept and missed checkout. We then agreed with a representative of the owner to stay one more night and left the corresponding amount in the same safe. After we got home, an employee messaged me on WhatsApp saying the owner wanted another 400 euros because a later rental had been missed. I still have contacts from my time in Naples with colleagues at the Guardia di Finanza (Italian Financial Police). When I told the employee that, the absurd extra demand was withdrawn. I'm convinced this amounts to illegal subletting of private accommodation.

It's very well situated, right by the historic center, and lots of amenities are provided. A little roll of toilet paper would have been useful, though. The Wi-Fi was unreliable. Bring earplugs, since you can hear boats and neighbors late into the night, and remember to protect yourself from mosquitoes.