GAC

Fodorites, you will be hard pressed to find a negative review of the Pensione La Calcina (Ruskin's House), along the Zattere in Venice' Dorsoduro District.

I spent one night in a tiny single room at the beginning of October, and can only find good things to say about the property and its personnel.

The hotel is spotless and understated in its charm and warmth. Personnel are very, very courteous and helpful. Continental breakfast is straightforward and simple in the intimate breakfast room or on the outdoor floating terrace (during good weather).

A delicious dinner can be reserved for 22 Euros, which includes a glass of wine, primo piatto, secondo piatto, and dessert or fruit.

Many of the twin rooms have gorgeous views of the Giudecca Canal and the Basilica of the Redentore. Corner rooms with view are the most expensive.

There are only a handful of single rooms. Upper floor singles have private facilities, but the two singles on the second floor (primo piano in Italy) each have a detached bathroom down the hallway, which assures a significant degree of privacy. Of these two singles, one is particularly small, less than 50 square feet, and without TV (but with air conditioning). Because of its very small size, it costs less than each of the other singles. Although classified as being "without view", it faces out to the attached Pensione Seguso, and does indeed have a modest view of the Redentore and the small bridge along the Zattere. During the low season, this room is quite inexpensive (as is the other, larger single w/o bathroom).

Another advantage of the Pensione La Calcina is its proximity to the landing of the Alilaguna waterbus, with direct service to Marco Polo Airport in 90 minutes, for 10 Euros. The distance to the landing (across from the Gesuati Church) is only 150 yards, all flat and with NO bridges to cross. I clocked the walk at 75 seconds, from the front door of the pensione.

There is an 8:30 a.m. waterbus departure which allows enough time for breakfast at the hotel, and time to check in for the nonstop Delta Airlines flight to New York-JFK. This flight departs five times a week in winter, and daily during the rest of the year.

TexasAggie

Thanks GAC, appreciate all the Italy info you have posted more than I could possibly express!

suze

I was first sent to La Calcina by friends who live in Europe in 1996. Had a single with private bath as mentioned. In 1998 had a view double. I absolutely love that hotel! The *only* problem is it has gotten so very popular I've seen lots of postings of folks who can't get reservations. So plan ahead.

Dinner service must be new since my visits. Though we had drinks in the lovely lobby one afternoon.

One more wonderful thing not mentioned in the review above... there is a rooftop patio with an amazing view that you can reserve at the front desk.

italyss

Thanks so much for this information! Do they have a web site?

GAC

www.lacalcina.com

kansas59

GAC: Thanks for the Calcina update. I have made this pensione my home in Venice for the past 4 visits and will be staying again this coming Feb. 2005 (post-carnevale) and it's always good to hear yet another glowing report on this family run establishment - even if it does make bookings tight due to popularity.

I was particularly interested in your feedback on your single as I have usually been fortunate enough to either get a single w/view or one of the larger ones in the back w/out view (both w/bathrooms) and have always been very content. However, I was told that for my upcoming trip they only had a tiny single available (Rm #26 for 1 person with 1 single bed, private bathroom (wc + bathtub), TV, buffet-breakfast included, w/out view on the Giudecca canal at the daily rate of Euro 75). I went ahead and booked it knowing how popular they are - even in the slow winter months with their promise that if anything larger opened up they would notify me (at a higher rate). Would this be the room you stayed in by any chance?

Also glad to hear that Aliguna is now located in front of the Gesuiti church (no bridges is always a good thing when it comes to luggage schlepping in Venice). It had previously been located in the other direction (over 1 bridge) but I think that was a temporary docking place due to construction the past couple of years.

I've also started enjoying the meals they serve, the fixed price selection is a good value not to mention delicious. In the winter (Nov-March?) they do an Apertivo Hour from (6:00-8:00 pm?) where they serve light savory snacks and a complimentary cocktail (other beverages were charged). This became a mandatory ritual with my Mother and one of the things she still remembers about La Calcina...besides the buffet breakfast, the personable and helpful staff and more importantly how well maintained it is. She'll be coming with me in Feb. 2005 as well.

GAC

kansas59: in reply to your questions:

1. My single room was NOT no. 26, which I gather has private facilities and is on a higher floor. Instead, my room was on the second floor (first floor in Italy), facing the adjacent Pensione Seguso, the little bridge, and the Redentore beyond in the distance. It measured about 6 feet by 8 feet, and is reported to be the smallest and cheapest room in the property, less expensive than the least expensive posted rate for a single room w/o bath (which is the other single on the same floor). The room is fine at any time except perhaps during the summer, when some might find it too claustrophobic or confining in the oppressive heat (even though it has an individual a/c unit on the wall above the door).

The Alilaguna waterbus landing is across from the Gesuati Church (NOT the Gesuiti, which is across town). (I think you may have made a typo).

I don't know about "Aperitivo Hour". There was none on the night I stayed there. I'm sure the hotel management can answer your question.

I'm sure you'll enjoy your next visit, even in chilly February!

KT

Hey, I had that exact room back in 1991, back when La Calcina was really budget lodgings (before it renovated, added a restaurant, got reclassified star-wise, and upped the prices). In those days, it was more of a Let's Go place than a Fodor's place, and it was a lot easier to get a booking. Fond memories.

maitaitom

Thanks for the review. We are going next October. I like positive reinforcement.

kansas59

GAC: Eeeegads...I see the typo now...the perils of poor editing while trying to sneak in a little travel-fix at work. You're right of course. As far as Apertivo hour, I actually was told by the front desk while I was there in May of this year that they only offer this in their slump/slow season, so I'm looking forward to partaking again in February.

suze

topping for Dee

sfarah

Thanks GAC for the great review. I'll be staying there during the early part of Carinvale in February, 2005. I'm also flying roundtrip from New York on Delta's direct flights. I wasn't sure if the 8:30 a.m. Alilaguna airport shuttle would get me to the airport in time to check in for the flight home but now, thanks to you, I know it will! By the way, in February the hotel has a special offer of one free dinner (no wine) during stays of two nights or more in addition to the evening apertivo. However the complimentary dinner can't be taken on Friday and Saturday nights.

awbaker

We stayed in room 38, which is a double with a terrace and partial view of the canal. The room is nice with lovely antiques. I thought it was a lovely room. The bathroom was large, but with those kind of towels which feel more like a thick bedsheet, and with a low-power vacuum-looking hair dryer. While we were there, a single room next to us was being renovated, so we peeked in. It was really cute, with a small terrace and a pretty good view from the terrace. I believe it had a private bathroom, too. I think it was room 37.

I was very happy with the location, the service, our room & the roof terrace at La Calcina. The restaurant is a very pleasant place to eat breakfast or dinner (when the weather is good), but I didn't think the food was that great. I can email photos of our room & terrace if anyone is interested.

VolGreg

awbaker

We plan to stay at the Pensione La Calcina. I would appreciate the pictures of your room.

Thanks,
Greg
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