Tiepolo 3

The private garden for guests was a quiet, secluded place to spend time, and our room was clean, with a little kitchenette and the basics for a longer visit, including a hair dryer, towels, and shampoo. We stayed for five lovely days over the first carnival weekend in Venice. The house is run by a friendly elderly couple who handle check-in and the details in person. Booking directly by email or phone through their website seemed easiest, though be prepared to speak Italian or French. It’s under a ten-minute walk from the train station and a short stroll from a busy street, so the city’s energy is close while the house itself feels peaceful. The rooms have antique decor and lots of chandeliers, and the canal view brings in lovely natural light. There’s also a large living area. We had a great stay and are already looking forward to returning.

The stress and anxiety ruined our Venice trip. I’ve stayed in more than 100 places across over 25 countries, and this was by far the worst hotel experience I’ve had. We arrived 30 minutes late and were charged €40. We also paid €30 for AC, but the owners went through our belongings to take the remote, then charged us again. Even after we paid a second time, they didn’t leave it, so we had to ring the bell and wait whenever we needed it. The woman gave us an aggressive hour-long lecture in Italian and French when we arrived and refused to use Google Translate. She argued with other guests about seating during the lecture, then scolded us aggressively when we were confused. We had no idea what she was saying, and after a long journey it was awful. She could easily have used Google Translate, but her manner and the lecture made us uncomfortable. The rooms were extremely dusty, and there was black mold in the showers. On the last day, they came in while I was showering and yelled that we had to check out immediately. You have to leave your keys in the hall, so anyone can access your things. The owners freely rummaged through our belongings looking for the AC remote we’d paid for, and left an aggressive note in the room. After we left, the owner stood in front of me with his finger in my face, then threw papers at me because he was upset about my checkout time. I reported it to local authorities and opened a case with booking.com. Don’t stay here unless you want an awful Venice experience.

It was an experience, but not a good one. The owners were very rude. The listing on booking.com says the rooms have air-conditioning, and they do, but it costs extra, €10 from 10pm to 8am. The man will knock in the morning to collect the remote. Towels were supposed to be changed every three days, but that didn’t happen. I won’t stay here again and wouldn’t recommend it. Spend a little more for somewhere decent with hosts who actually want your business.

The place has plenty of Venetian charm, and so do the owners. They’re charming, but speak only Italian, so the room tour and explanation of how things work can feel awkward. Be polite and pay attention to what they show you. It’s their hotel, after all, and they want guests to help look after it. The location is nearly perfect, about a ten-minute walk from the bus and train station, with plenty of nice bars and restaurants nearby. This five-star rating reflects the value overall. It isn’t perfect, but I’d definitely consider staying again when I return to Venice, and would recommend it to anyone planning a visit. Thanks for adding another memorable part to our great stay.