The charming but slightly basic little place to stay is located almost at the intersection of two waterways in a pleasant corner of Dorsoduro. Even though most of the major attractions are conveniently within a fair walking distance, the surrounding area is generally so peaceful that the crowds of Piazza San Marco often feel many miles away.

The common areas of the interior are full of various heirlooms, and there are also some distinctively local touches, such as the mottled marble floors and windows containing circlets of lightly coloured glass. In fact, a resemblance to a domesticated and much less opulent version of the décor experienced in the city's palaces means that it is conceivably how a traditional local home might look. The result of such an aesthetic combined with the genuinely warm nature of the staff is an undeniably cosy and relaxing atmosphere.

Each of the bedrooms is somewhat lacking in the range of modern facilities usually found in more expensive counterparts, such as televisions and air-conditioning, and some are not en-suite. However, all are clean and comfortable, face out onto a canal and feature appealing and mostly vintage furnishings. The overall effect is an unusual amount of character that eludes the better-appointed chain accommodations, and which in my opinion is more than adequate compensation for the aforementioned deficiencies.

A fairly simple but tasty breakfast in a typically nice ground floor dining area is included in the rate, which is already very reasonable by Venetian standards. Starting the day in such a manner is lovely, especially when sitting next to one of the windows that look out to the very close waters. Lunch and dinner are also on offer, and apparently the owners sometimes insist that guests take the offered half-board package, although that did not happen to me. The deal is perhaps good for those people who want to avoid the hassle of finding respectable meals every day, but it is supposedly not the greatest in terms of either food or value, and sampling some of the city's many fine eateries can be a lot of fun.