First time to visit Venice although been to other parts of Italy.
Pros
1. Location. Very central. Easy to make your way back to once a bit familiar.
2. Air conditioning - very strong and very needed when we went
3. Clean and apartment is as described
4. Supplies. Toilet paper and hand soap was adequate. Towels were appropriate and reasonable for the number of guests. Weird pro but I have stayed in many Airbnb’s in a lot of cities/countries and towels are often an issue.
Cons
1. Unwelcome - not a host more like a landlord or cheap motel reception. Pre arrival - felt it in early emails/conversations. I decided to ignore it since email and different cultures/languages. Forgot about it.
Finding the place - Told us he would meet us where water taxi lets us off. Couldn’t find us. Did very little to try to find us. Spent 20 minutes dragging bags around trying to find him. Could have dropped a pin or had us stay put and come to us since we had bags. When we met up, he didn’t offer to help anyone with their bags up the 3 flights of stairs. We packed light for such a long trip (only carry-ons/small backpacks). That being said, did nothing to help. Check in - Ran through the apartment like we were checking into a motel or a landlord renting an apartment. It felt extremely transactional. I have seen amazing hosts with a welcome bottle of wine and recommendations for the area. I don’t ever expect that. I also don’t expect a cold wham bam take it or leave it approach. If felt like - How quickly can I dump these keys and get out of here. Also got hit with unexpected cost. (See next con)
2. Tourist tax - quoted/agreement 1.5 euros per day per guest collected in cash upon check in. (E18 for our 3 day 4 person stay) Hit with E48 bill. No warning. No explanation. That is a huge difference. I personally read the tax was be discussed to increase. Since I don’t follow Venice news as a norm, I had no idea where the legislature landed. I still don’t know if the charge is legit. As a host, communication should have happened. Worse than a bill almost 3 times quoted, he didn’t have change for a 50 which he should have. Again, not focused on the guest.
3. Uncomfortable bed(s). Only slept in one bedroom but husband and I found the bed very uncomfortable.
4. No real curtains- be prepared to be up with the sun. Sheers only.
5. Loud - can hear everything the neighbors say or do.
6. We all left with a lot of bug bites. Can’t say from apartment or just walking around. Teens are sure it was in the apartment.
Other note - not necessarily property specific.
Trash- every morning between 8-9 am expect a loud buzz for the trash. Was told if you don’t jump on it they will just leave. If not able to run down and catch them need to drag trash to a boat. We didn’t cook nor did we have a lot of trash but one should be aware.
Overall, would pass. There are so many rental properties. Not sure the air conditioning and location is such a big differentiation. Wish I could say more positive things. Typically very happy with Airbnb which is why my whole trip is booked in them.