Vacation Rentals by Owner

Awesome

Guest: Madeleine and Ray
Date of Stay: 12/30/11 Review Submitted: 01/25/12

From the minute we met Evelyn and went to our beautiful condo, we knew it would be a most memorable and wonderful trip. First, Evelyn was awesome. She met us, as we planned at the vaparetto stop, which is about 50 wonderful steps from the front door of our condo!!! How convenient and easy to find and never really worry about getting "lost"! It was beautiful and spotless inside, and had so much beautiful light and room - not cluttered with lots of furniture, but just enough to be just perfect.

Recommended for:

Cozy and Comfortable

Guest: Sara from Minnesota
Date of Stay: 11/16/11 Review Submitted: 12/15/11

Guest Review from holmss@parknicollet.com - Dec 14, 2011 We had such a great time in Venice and we loved this rental. It was a great location, and very short walk to get to the bus station. We enjoyed all of the museums and Saint Mark's Square. Being able to walk around and having the market and restaurants in a convenient place according to where we stayed helped us a lot. Everyone was so friendly and the greeter that we had, Evelyn, was very helpful and she answered all of our questions that we threw her way. We would love to go back and visit again sometime! We would recommend this location to those who are looking for a nice cozy and comfortable place with a wonderful view!! :)

Recommended for:

A perfect romantic vacation

Guest: Michelle
Date of Stay: 10/28/11 Review Submitted: 11/16/11

We were promptly greeted by Evelyn and escorted to our apartment. The home was beautiful with all the amenities we needed for a no hassle week long stay in Italy. Evelyn even had fresh flowers (which happened to be my favorite) arranged for us when we arrived. She was also very helpful, going over the map with us to give us an idea of the area. It was a perfect location for walking around as well as for catching the water bus. We do not watch a lot of television, so a radio would have been nice to listen to, but other than that I could not have asked for another thing. We made breakfast and dinner at the house a few times, and we had everything we needed. Thank you!

Recommended for:

Beautiful, had everything we needed

Guest: David C
Date of Stay: 10/15/11 Review Submitted: 11/15/11

1. Overall, how did you find your accommodations?- beautiful, had everything we needed 2. What did you think about the location and the surrounding area?- being out of the tourist area was perfect, got lost a few times and that made it all the more exciting 3. Any tips for future guests including nearby sites, restaurants or shops?- just wander 4. Would you recommend Italy Perfect to a friend?- definitely, and Evelyn was delightful

Recommended for:

Once in a lifetime romatic holiday

Guest: M Johannes
Date of Stay: 09/13/11 Review Submitted: 11/11/11

This was a wonderful apartment rental. My husband and I had been planning to come to Venice for years and this apartment was just what we were looking for. Right off of the main canal next to the Ca' Rezonico which was one of the great palazzos that has been turned into a museum so you have beautiful facades across from your room as well as a very handy water bus stop to get to where ever you are going. The apartment was so magical with top quality furnishings. Everything was beautiful and the lady that checked us in was so helpful you really felt taken care of. You are close to all the popular attractions but also far enough away that you feel part of the authentic Venice experience. We really enjoyed the small restaurants up the street from the apartment.

Recommended for:

Marino Apartment - "just perfect"

Guest: MJ
Date of Stay: 09/13/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

I wanted to make sure you knew we really enjoyed our stay at the Marino flat. This apartment was so special and well appointed it was such an enjoyment to stay at and your help getting booked and set up with the water taxi and such was so much appreciated. Evelyn was also so helpful and such a pleasure to work with on check in. Having a good host to check you in is so important for these apartment rentals for us Americans coming to Venice for the first time. This place was just perfect. If this place is available next time we can get to Venice we would definitely stay there again. Being next to ca’Rezzonica was perfect and the interior was top quality all the way.

Recommended for:

Guest: Jerry Dell and Ben, South Carolina, USA
Date of Stay: 10/13/10 Review Submitted: 11/04/10

The Contessa was very much as portrayed. It was really quite magical to open the great wooden door into the courtyard and step into this lovely green space with marble staircase to our right and the water gate straight ahead. We did abide by the rule: no lingering in the courtyard. We always felt those walking by as we entered were curious and envious that we could access this lovely quiet private space. The apartment itself was very comfortable. In the living room area (ceilings about 16 or 17 feet) there are two couches, a large round coffee table. The dining area's ceiling is not so high as the sleeping loft is above it. There is wi-fi which was a great boon to keep in touch with home and looking up items of interest in Venice. The kitchen was very well equipped and had the best light in the apartment. Other areas had low but adequate light; the kitchen was where I could really read. The kitchen has a dish washer which we didn't use. The full bath downstairs was reasonable large with a separate adjacent room where the washing machine was housed (easy to operate and a great help). The upstairs bedroom was comfortable. Initially I feared the ceilings would seem too low, but that was not the case. The half bath with the bedroom was very convenient - and small. There were just the two of us and the space worked well. We could imagine a family using the loft which included a double bed, cot and baby bed, but not easily two couples. The location was excellent. It was near enough to St. Marks Piazza, the Rialto bridge, etc. but far enough away that the nearest campos (Santa Maria Formosa and Santa Marina) had a decided local feel during the evenings. There were specialty food and wine stores close by, a grocery store as well, and a really good bakery. Paola was very helpful, meeting us at Santa Maria Formosa, guiding us to the apartment, and showing us how to operate all appliances, going over the rules, and making sure we could reach her if needed. She also made sure that the cleaning crew came a week into our stay and checked with us periodically to be sure we were OK. On leaving we had an early morning flight (7:00 am). Paola made the arrangements for our pick up and the water taxi owner was at Santa Marina ten minutes early. We rented an apartment in Rome for a month several years ago and this rental and process was much more personal and satisfactory than the earlier rental.

Recommended for:

Guest: Diane
Date of Stay: 07/16/10 Review Submitted: 08/06/10

Paola [the greeter] was very good to us and the Contessa apartment was unbelievably beautiful. To be able to walk from your secluded garden into the city was a very special gift. It was very hot while we were in Venice but we used the fans and the air con in the top bedroom was wonderful. We called that part of the flat “Canada” as we were able to keep it nice and cool and get to sleep very well at night. I bet some folk would be grumpy about the heat in the flat but we chalked it down to travelling in July…the Venetians are not able to control world climate!!! Paola gave great suggestions and directions to supermarkets, gelato and a great deli and when it was time to leave she helped us with getting a water taxi close to the Contessa so that we could get to the airport without having to drag our cases in the heat. The Contessa was a lovely apartment and Castello is a great neighborhood as it is so central to everything. A very quiet part of Venice…we loved it. It is always hot in July, the Venetians were amazingly kind and gentle with all of us as we fanned ourselves to keep cool. Italy is not designed to offer North American air con all of the time…we would return to the Contessa even in the heat! We were so lucky to be in Venice on the evening of the festival of Redentore July 16 . The fireworks, the gondola race the next day (gondolas of all colours and sizes) and the amazing pontoon bridge erected across the Giudecca Canal to the gorgeous Santa Maria Della Salute were magical. Who ever gets to be a part of this kind of history? The Venetians were celebrating the end of the terrible plague that killed so many of their people and we could celebrate with them. We took in an evening of classical music at a local church near the Accademia…it was truly one of the highlights of our time in Venice, the strains of Vivaldi in the warm summer night in a church hundreds of years old was splendid, a real gift.

Recommended for:

Guest: Caroline R, Los Angeles, California
Date of Stay: 07/01/10 Review Submitted: 01/01/11

Magical The lovely Contessa apartment made our stay in Venice particularly magical. The interior space is tasteful and organized. The coziness of the apartment and its convenient locations just enough off the beaten track felt like an ideal retreat from touring the amazing city of Venice.

Recommended for:

Guest: sara mcg, rosendale, NY
Date of Stay: 01/01/10 Review Submitted: 01/01/11

Contessa We loved everything about our stay at Contessa. The apartment was fully equipped with everything we needed and beautifully situated. We enjoyed the owner's family antiques, engravings and paintings. It felt like a family home, not an impersonal rental. We were glad that the rental agent did some preliminary shopping for us, since we arrived from the airport very hungry. We did alot of shopping at the Rialto market, but the SeVe (sp?) supermarket is only a 5-minute walk.

Recommended for:

Guest: Lisa and Howard , Toronto, Canada
Date of Stay: 07/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/01/11

We really enjoyed this apartment We really enjoyed this apartment. It was in a beautiful setting, the inside courtyard - and the location was very convenient for both walking and taking vaporettos on both sides of the part of Venice we were on. The space was great for a family. It would have been nice to have drying rack for clothes - it was a little humid while we were there and as such we decided not to do any laundry without a rack. We did enjoy a wonderful seafood supper in a restaurant we cannot reacall the name of - but it is right next to the ristorante Marco Polo on the Salizzada San Lio - and has an orange sign - perhaps Paola could forward the name. Speaking of the Salizzada San Lio - walking from the apartment and turning left takes you to a great bakery, on your left on the corner, a great fruit store across from the bakery and an actual grocery store on corner across from the bakery - although this one is not open on Sunday. In the other direction, right over the bridge to the Campo San Marina takes you on your left to a great cafe for that morning macchiato. We loved being in Venice for the Biennale. We enjoyed the greeter and her dry sense of humour very much. She was very helpful at our arrival - giving us, information, buying the kids gelato at the best gelato place in Venice she told us near the apartment - Boutique del Gelato also on Salizzada San Lio and walking with us to a grocery store. At our departure she arranged for a taxi and escorted us and waited with us at the pick up point. We had an excellent trip and look forward to a return visit for another Biennale.

Recommended for:

Guest: J. M., Tasmania
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/01/11

Excellent accommodation in a very good location. Excellent accommodation in a very good location. Service from Italy perfect very good and no problems during the stay. My only constructive comment would be that it might be good to have written instructions with regard to the appartment and local services.

Recommended for:

Guest: Bob, Park City, UT
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 01/01/11

Contessa Contessa is an apartment which is the former library in a 400 year old palace, which is still owned by an Italian princess. You enter through a beautiful garden, then up the elevator to the apartment. It is very roomy and beautifully laid out with a good shower and kitchen. The one bedroom with the half bath is quite and comfortable, and even the loft is large and private. Views are on a quiet public plaza. Internet is very fast via ethernet cable (important to guys). We had four adults and were very comfortable. If you have kids, there is a little bed and even a crib for them.Location is on a line between San Marco (10 minute walk), and Rialto (also 10 minute walk). It is steps from, and between Saint Marina (where the water taxi will drop you), and San Maria Formosa (3 minute walk). Across the bridges from San Maria Formosa, there are lots of restaurants (all good!), shopping, and even a well stocked grocery store.The agent, Paola, was very efficient and helpful. Just call her cell and she answers every time.Contessa is outstanding value in an area known for expensive hotels. I would stay there again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Jane O, Morgan Hill, California
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/01/11

The apartment was just perfect We had a wonderful time in Venice. Shopping eating, etc. The apartment was just perfect and the owner was gracious enough to supply my husband with the code for the Internet, etc. We would have liked to have the option of a personal water taxi from the airport. Norman and I would have preferred that, even if the price was higher,would have been great. [We have since added water taxi booking contact information to the confirmation materials - L.B.] The delivery point was would have been closer to the apartment. Thanks again Lisa,

Recommended for:

Guest: T. D. Cooks & M. Troughton, Maryland and San Fran
Date of Stay: 05/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/01/11

La Contessa was just perfect for us. Just wanted to thank you for getting us set up in Venice. "La Contessa" was just perfect for us. We were operating on the schedule of a two-year-old so you can imagine how important it was for us to have a well-located base. The greeter was fantastic. She met us and led us in from the San Marco vaporetto stop on a busy Sunday (can you imagine us with the baggage and the people!). We had fantastic weather and a wonderful visit. I'm ready to go back tomorrow. We'll be in touch for next year! Warm regards!

Recommended for: