This was our 5th visit to Venice in 6 years and each time we have stayed in a different area. We decided to stay at Monica’s for the location - which is far enough away from significant footfall and traffic, but close enough to get to the landmarks quickly if you want to. While it was further out than we had expected, that worked out for us as first of all we did not need to drag bags for miles when we got off the water taxi from the airport - as Monica describes, it is a few minutes walk from Arsenale. Secondly, it put us right in the middle of community Venice, which helped you understand what it is like to live as a Venetian and that suited us down to the ground (especially as we are considering moving there, permanently).
Now given we had planned to visit in April ( and also in this area of Venice) before the world went to hell and knocked that on the head, I was anxious about re-booking and more so as the situation in the UK got worse the closer we got to leaving. However, communication with Monica was brilliant throughout. We kept in touch before we departed the UK and both Monica and Air BnB arranged a self check-in to be COVID-compliant. Again, this worked for us as we had been to Venice before and (broadly speaking as anyone who has been before will understand) knew (vaguely as it turned out) where we were going. The instructions about collecting keys were clear and easily understood. We provided our details to Monica the day before and also arranged the payment of the Tourist Tax before we got there (which is also useful as otherwise you end up spending all of your free cash when you arrive!). The information left in the apartment by Monica was clear and concise and we found everything we needed both in and around the apartment.
The apartment itself is just as the pictures show - wonderfully ornate and a throw back to real Venice, not manufactured Venice as some apartments can be. The spiral staircase was beautiful, leading to a bed upstairs and giving you something you rarely see in Venice accommodation - a sense of space. Word of warning though - the spiral staircase is not for everyone. As wonderfully decorative as it is, it is not hugely practical (particularly for night time bathroom trips!). We decided not to try and take our cases up the staircase (as we didn’t fancy starting our trip i hospital) and left the majority of our clothes in them downstairs in the lounge, because although there is a wardrobe and large chest of drawers on the upper floor, the shower/toilet is downstairs so for us it just made more sense to use the lounge as a dressing area as well as a relaxing space. Please don’t let that put you off though (and it is by no means a criticism of the apartment, just an honest assessment) the apartment is just lovely and added to another perfect stay in Venice for us.
It is out of the way and in rural Venice, not tourist Venice. But for some that will be perfect - it certainly was for us. We found new areas we hadn’t explored before. Due to the location we tended to walk back to the water front and along it, which gave us wonderful photo opportunities including superb sunsets over the lagoon and the Basilica Santa Maria Della Salute, as well as lovely dusk and night fall shots of the water rippling and illuminated by moonlight.
What we weren’t aware of - us not asking Monica about the location after booking, more than anything - is that there is a fantastically homely/Venetian Cafe/Bar almost on the door step of the apartment. Ideal for the first morning macchiato/latte and the evening Spritz. The only problem we found (and across Venice as a whole on this trip really) was that due to regulations imposed by COVID restrictions, the bar shut much earlier than we had seen on previous visits (around 9pm) which unfortunately meant that we could not enjoy a final Spritz/Latte after having had dinner elsewhere. But as restrictions ease, I am sure that will change.
We didn’t use the washing machine, or any of the cooking facilities on our trip, but they are all there if you want them. The apartment backed onto an astroturf play area, but we were never bothered by the noise from it (and actually didn’t ever see anyone on there, to be honest - again could be COVID restrictions, we didn’t know). The air con was lovely to have, and was well used as it was hot for most of the time on our visit. The apartment was lovely and clean when we arrived and there were coffee pods to use in the Nespresso machine, if we wanted, as well as toiletries provided, again if we had wanted.
I cannot fault the apartment or any of our dealings with Monica. She didn’t bother us while we were there, and nor did we need to contact her over anything or any problems we had with the apartment. Based on the prompt responses to communication before we arrived, I am sure any issue would have been resolved quickly.
A quick note on COVID for anyone considering a trip. Don’t worry about it for a second. Italy appears to be dealing with it far better than we in the UK are. Accepted, Venice is unique and not a ‘party’ place, but there is plenty of sanitiser in shops and bars. Face masks are used by all bar/restaurant/shop staff and everyone respects your space but is, at the same time, relaxed about it which then means you aren’t constantly stressing about it, like you can easily do in the UK.
The UK could learn a huge amount from how Venice/Italy is coping!