I was really looking forward to this apt from all the great reviews it received. I was traveling with my husband and 2 daughters aged 6 & 9. Unfortunately, it fell short for us in a few areas.
1) The washer/dryer was not working and I was not informed until I asked about it. Host asked for me to help take pictures of the washer serial # on Day 1. When I did, I realised the washer was filled with water and I asked if the washer was broken. Only then, the Host informed me that the guest before us broke the washer & she’s trying to get a technician over to fix it. She agreed to drop by with the technician as I was not comfortable with the technician entering the apt alone while we were out. At the same time, she agreed to try to fix the WIFI.
2) There was no WIFI throughout our 2 night stay. The apt has a pocket WIFI, but it wasn’t working. I informed Host about it when we arrived and she agreed to (try) to fix it the next day. She came by around 3-330pm with the washer technician.
3) There was no update from Host about the washer and WIFI after. When we returned after dinner, the pocket WIFI was gone. I assumed the Host had taken it with her to have it fixed. It would have been nice to hear from the Host, regardless if it has been fixed or not. We were checking out the next morning, so I didn’t bother asking the Host about it anymore. I don’t know if the washer was working then because I wasn’t going to risk having wet laundry on the night before checking out. I had planned to do laundry during my stay but couldn’t/didn’t in the end.
3 large bowls were left in the kitchen sink when we returned, unwashed. I assumed they were used to scoop water out of the washer and had been left there after. Kitchen paper towels had run out when we check in and I couldn’t find a new roll.
4) The 2nd bedroom has no AC. The washer is in the 2nd bedroom. The closet in the 2nd bedroom is used for storing cleaning supplies and extra sheets & towels. The overall feel of this room just isn’t great. There was a ‘hole’ in the wall in one of the corners stuffed with a towel. I had planned to have my kids sleep in this bedroom but didn’t in the end because (again) the vibe wasn’t right for us.
5) Check out on the listing says 12pm. But we were requested to leave by 1130am. I didn’t make a fuss because the time works for us anyways as we had a train to catch. But on the morning of checking out, the cleaner came to the apt at 1030am. We were just coming back from breakfast and ran into each other in the stairway. She had her own set of keys and was opening the door to the apt. I told her we’re not leaving yet and she seemed surprised. So if we had been in the apt, she would have entered on her own while we were in there. We finished packing and left at 1120am. The cleaner had waited downstairs the whole time. Perhaps it was a miscommunication between Host & cleaner.
6) In the listing, it’s mentioned that shampoo is provided. All I found was half-used amenities from previous guest left on the shower shelf. I had brought our own, so it didn’t bother me. But it would have been nice to not see half-used amenities.
Other observations:
The main bedroom has a sofa bed, which isn’t mentioned in the listing. We were thankful for this because we set this up ourselves and slept on it while our kids slept on the bed in the main bedroom.
The AC in both main bedroom and common area is working nicely and very strong.
I couldn’t turn on some of the lamps in the apt at first and realised after that they were unplugged from the power source. Not sure why. So I had to go around with the flashlight on my phone to figure this out on the 1st night.
If you’re leaving the apt at night, have your flashlight ready as the stairway leading downstairs has no light switch from the apt (or maybe we missed it). But if you’re coming back after dark, there is a switch to turn on the lights from entry way.
Cleanliness was ok. The main areas are clean. But while I was fumbling around the corners for light switches, I came around dust balls and hair in the hidden corners. Just don’t look there I guess.
Water pressure in the shower is non-existent. The pressure is only ok/good when it’s turned all the way to cold, which is still quite impossible to shower in during this time for us. When the water is turned to warm or towards hot, the water trickles. It’s so bad that my only analogy for it would be - it’s like someone is peeing on you. The temperature is also cranky. While it’s set to warm, it’ll suddenly get very hot or suddenly very cold. Basically, a usual 10min shower took us 20mins. I did inform Host about this but didn’t think anything can be done anyways since it is Venice and the buildings are old with old pipings. Anyways, we made do. Also, note that the shower is really small. It’s ok for 1 person. But if you’re needing to shower a young child in it, it’s quite a challenge to navigate.
Other pros about the place mentioned in other reviews are accurate. Great location. Close to vaporetto station (if you don’t get lost), St Mark’s, etc. Generous space in the apt for Venice’s standard.