Ca’ Fontanea

Ca’ Fontanea is a restored bed-and-breakfast sporting golden exterior and dark green shutters. Though there’s some water damage around the windows, these signs of wear and tear blend with the rest of the historical buildings along the cobblestone street. On entrance, the vibe is unmistakably homey. The reception area is small with a wooden desk that leads into the quaint breakfast room. The room has a laid-back air with tiled floors, exposed wooden beams, small tables with white tablecloths, colorful chairs, and an abstract art piece on the wall. Most guests are couples looking for an authentic Venetian experience in a residential neighborhood. 

Situated in the district of Cannaregio, Ca’ Fontanea is far from the bustle of the city center, making for a relaxing stay in a local neighborhood. There are a few restaurants within a five-to-10-minute walk of the hotel, but only a few sights are in walking distance, such as  the Jewish Ghetto a 10-minute walk away. Strada Nova, a tourists shopping area, is a 20-minute walk away. Most major tourist attractions require a combination of walking and water taxis or buses to reach. It’s a four-minute walk to the nearest water bus station at Canale di Cannaregio. Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia, the closest train station, is 12 minutes away on foot. Using public transportation, Doge’s Palace is a 35-minute trip, and it's about 25 minutes to St. Mark’s Square and St. Mark’s Basilica.  It’s a 17-minute drive to the Venice Marco Polo Airport. 

Ca' Fontanea's six guest rooms are quaint and quite spacious, especially for Venice. They have the inviting, warm decor expected of a bed-and-breakfast: white linens, tile or wooden floors, mosquito nets above the beds, floral art pieces, and small desks. While no two rooms are exactly alike, all are comfortable and outfitted with minibars, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and coffee/tea facilities. Some have sinks, and the Double Room in the attic has a terrace with two woven chairs, a table, and views of Venetian rooftops. The white-tiled bathrooms are quite cramped, but no more so than is to be expected in Venice. They each include a sink with little counter space, a bidet, a heated towel rack, toiletries, a hairdryer, and either a shower or a shower/tub combo. 

At Ca’ Fontanea, there’s a breakfast buffet provided each morning in the breakfast room. Items include freshly prepared coffee, fruit juice, cereal, meats, cheeses, yogurt, breads, and pastries. Guests can opt to have it brought to their rooms for a fee. But not all rates include breakfast. (The property offers a cheaper "room-only" rate.) The hotel provides transfers to and from the airport or train station for a fee. Guests can also book excursions or make reservations through the front desk, though reception is only staffed until early afternoon. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the property.