Palazzo Morosini degli Spezieri

The room was a highlight: the bed was so inviting, and the windows had automatic blackout shades, which made for great sleep despite the early sunrise. The apartment also has music throughout, even in the bathroom, cold A/C for hot days, and a convenient washer. There’s a courtyard for a quiet break on site, too. The front desk staff were extremely helpful and arranged our boat taxi to the airport. Getting picked up right on the canal made transit easy and was a lot of fun. Restaurants and bars are close by, including one directly across from the building. The place is near everything, but far enough from Venice’s busiest areas that it felt more local. We couldn’t have asked for more.

The Palazzo was immaculate, with easy access to everything we wanted to see, and the room had air conditioning, which we appreciated as Americans. The staff were very helpful and arranged water taxis to pick us up and drop us off at the doorstep, making getting around a breeze. If we get to visit Venice again, this will absolutely be my first choice.

We went with another couple, and having the rooms at opposite ends of the apartment gave us some privacy. The apartment is beautiful, with a canal view from every room, so we kept taking pictures. The kitchen is sleek and state of the art, fully equipped, and there were assorted refreshments waiting for us. The beds were comfortable and king-size equivalent. We liked being able to set the climate control separately, since we preferred it cooler and our friends wanted their room warmer. There’s also a washing machine, handy on a long trip and a way to pack less. Showering under the rain shower heads in fully glass-enclosed showers felt refreshing, almost like having a sauna. Venice wasn’t my favorite part of Italy, but staying here was a highlight. It’s close to things while sitting far enough from San Marco’s endless tourist traps. The view is unlike any other.

The apartment made it easy to be near everything while still feeling like we were seeing a more local side of Venice. Rialto Bridge was about a 10-minute walk away, and there were restaurants and cafes right nearby. We stayed three nights. Our place had three roomy bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a kitchen. It even had a washer-dryer, though I couldn't quite work out how to use it. The view really is incredible, and the hosts kept in touch and shared useful tips.