Venice Apartment Steal: Belvilla by OYO Near Hostaria Vite Rossa!
Venice Apartment Steal: Belvilla by OYO Near Hostaria Vite Rossa - A Review That's Hopefully More Fun Than a Gondola Ride in the Rain!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's sterile hotel review. We're talking Venice. We're talking Belvilla by OYO. We're talking… well, let's see what we've got, shall we?
First Impressions (or, "Did I Just Win the Apartment Lottery?")
I booked this place – Venice Apartment Steal: Belvilla by OYO Near Hostaria Vite Rossa – thinking, "Cheap and cheerful! Close to the action! Pray for no bedbugs!" And, honestly, a lot of the reviews before I got there were… mixed. Like, a Venetian alley cat arguing with a pigeon kind of mixed. But when I actually got there, and hauled my suitcase (a feat of strength in itself on those blasted cobblestones) up to the apartment, I actually felt… relieved. It was near Hostaria Vite Rossa, which is a huge win if you like, you know, food and wine. But it wasn't some dingy hole. It actually had… charm? Yeah, charm! Like a slightly faded postcard of Venice.
Accessibility - The Eternal Struggle (or, My Wheelchair and I vs. Venetian Architecture)
Alright, let's be real. Venice and accessibility are like oil and water. They just don't mix. This particular Belvilla apartment? Well… it's not on the brochure for "Wheelchair-Friendly Paradise." The reviews don't exactly make it clear at all, the apartment itself had stairs leading to the front door from the main street, and the overall area is not very accessible. So, if you are a wheelchair user you can disregard this whole place.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges, Wheelchair Accessible - N/A
Internet Access: The Lifeline (and My Addiction)
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" they shouted from the rooftops (of the internet, obviously). And, praise be to the digital gods, it was true! Mostly. It wasn't always screaming fast, mind you. Sometimes it was more of a gentle whisper of the internet. Like, enough to check emails and upload the occasional Instagram of my Aperol Spritz. But I'm not complaining – hey, at least I could upload pictures, unlike my poor friend who went to some other place that had no Wi-Fi at all. I'd say they did a decent job of keeping the Wi-fi up and running for the most part.
- Internet: Present.
- Internet [LAN]: Likely present, but who uses LAN in 2024?
- Internet Services: Seemed fine. No complaints.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Again, mostly working. I'm assuming there were public areas, but I spent most of my time glued to my apartment, or out exploring.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams and Fitness Fails (or, Where Did the Sauna Go?)
Okay, let's be clear: this isn't a spa resort. There was no fancy spa, no pool with a view (unless you count the view of the laundry hanging out the window of the apartment across the alley).
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Nope. Nada. Zilch. Don't get your hopes up, folks.
- Cleanliness and Safety:
- They did show some care for this one, using anti-viral cleaning products.
- I don't know if they have a Doctor/nurse on call, there were no issues, so I could not test if this was a thing or not.
- They have a first aid kit, always good to have.
- They had a hand sanitizer.
- Linen and laundry washing were done at high enough temps.
- I saw hygiene certification.
- There was an individually wrapped food option.
- They made an effort for physical distancing of at least 1 meter, which is nice, but not very practical in Venice.
- They definitely made sure to sanitize the rooms between stays.
- They made sure to sanitize the kitchen and tableware items.
- They removed shared stationery.
- The staff were trained in safety protocol.
- They even had sterilizing equipment.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Viva l'Aperitivo! (and the Occasional Microwaved Meal)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. The apartment itself doesn't have a restaurant, but you're literally steps away from Hostaria Vite Rossa. I think I had dinner there five nights. The risotto was, if I'm honest, better than a lot of the tourist traps I'd encountered. And the wine? Oh, the wine…
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: All Nope!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference (And the Stuff That Annoyed Me)
Some things were alright, but some were lacking. They did a good job of having all the basics, but that's about it.
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: I had to look for these things.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Mostly absent, but the apartment felt pretty safe.
- Getting around: Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Taxi service, Valet parking are present.
For the Kids: Keeping the Little Ones Happy (or, Pray For Your Sanity)
I didn't have any kids with me.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, and Kids meal: None that I saw. Again, not aimed at families.
Available in All Rooms: The Nitty Gritty (and the Stuff They Forgot)
Okay, let's be real. The stuff they say is in every room? Well, that's the real test.
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens:
- Air Conditioning: Absolutely crucial in the summer.
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Thank the heavens. Essential for pre-gondola jitters.
- Daily Housekeeping: It was there, I could not deny it.
- Internet Access - Wi-Fi: Again, a lifesaver.
- Refrigerator: Great for storing prosecco.
- Private Bathroom: Essential.
- Shower: Yup.
- Sofa: Yup.
- Telephone: Yes.
- Towels: Thank god.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Again, yeah!
Cleanliness and Safety: Did I Get a Virus or Just a Hangover?
They did, to their credit, try. Lots of talk about anti-viral cleaning and "professional-grade sanitizing services". The apartment felt clean. I didn't
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Leende Holiday Home Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned, flawlessly executed itinerary. This is Venice: The Messy, Magical, and Maybe Slightly Miserable (but Mostly Wonderful) Itinerary, brought to you live from the, hopefully, charming clutches of a Belvilla by OYO apartment near Hostaria Vite Rossa. (Fingers crossed it doesn't have a leaky tap. I hate leaky taps).
Day 1: Arrival, Arrrrgh! and Aperol-Fueled Fantasies
Morning (and by morning, I mean, like, 10 am because jet lag is a beast): Landed in the gloriously chaotic chaos that is Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. Luggage? Let’s just say a small, sweaty battle ensued with a conveyor belt and a group of aggressively chatty Italian grandmothers. We won. (Mostly.) Taxi boat to the apartment. Okay, so the apartment is… rustic. Think "charming" with a hefty dose of "needs a good scrub." But the view from the balcony? Unbelievable. Seriously. Worth the climb up five flights of stairs (my thighs are already screaming).
Afternoon: Grocery run. This is where things got interesting. Navigating the narrow streets, dodging speedy delivery scooters, and trying to decipher Italian while simultaneously battling a rogue wheel of parmesan… pure comedy gold. Found a tiny, family-run shop and somehow managed to emerge with bread, cheese, olives, and enough prosecco to tranquilize a rhino. (Not really. Just a lot of prosecco.) Ate our glorious haul on the balcony, because, you know, priorities.
Evening: Attempted dinner at Hostaria Vite Rossa. "Attempted" is the word. Booked a table, felt very sophisticated, and then got utterly lost in the labyrinthine streets. Wandered aimlessly for a good hour, getting increasingly frustrated and covered in a fine sheen of sweat. Found the restaurant eventually (thank God for Google Maps! And a kind stranger who pointed us the right way – grazie mille!), and it was even better than I thought. The tagliatelle with seafood? Devine, and I mean divine. We lingered, we laughed, and we drank way too much Aperol Spritz. (That stuff is like liquid sunshine, you know?) Ended the night stumbling back to the apartment, convinced we'd stumbled upon a hidden canal. We hadn't. Just a very narrow alleyway. But hey, the stars were pretty.
Day 2: Gondolas, Ghosts, and a Slightly Sinister Pigeon
Morning: Gondola ride! Tourist trap, yes. Worth every single Euro? Absolutely. The gondolier, bless his heart, clearly appreciated my very limited Italian - and the fact that I kept saying "bellissimo!" to everything. The canals shimmered, the bridges arched, and I felt, for a brief, glorious moment, like a character in a romantic movie. Until a particularly aggressive pigeon tried to steal my croissant. Seriously. Tried to. That pigeon was a menace.
Afternoon: Exploration of San Marco Square. St. Mark's Basilica is magnificent, I guess. A complete and utter assault on the senses – the gold, the marble, the sheer excess – it’s a bit much. But in a good way. The Doge's Palace, however, was truly spectacular. Wandered through the opulent rooms, imagining all the scheming, backstabbing, and secret assignations that must have taken place. The Bridge of Sighs…well, that definitely made me a bit teary. (I’m a sucker for a good story.)
Evening: A walking ghost tour, because, Venice! Okay, things got a bit…weird. Our guide was a lovely, slightly eccentric, woman with a theatrical flair. She regaled us with tales of haunted palaces, ghostly lovers, and the very real, very creepy history of the city. One house was supposedly haunted by a noble who tortured and killed people. The atmosphere, with the dark streets, the shadows of the buildings, and the very, very eerie stories was almost unbearable. I might have jumped a few times. And definitely shivered, even though I had a jacket on. I'm also fairly sure I saw something move in an alleyway. Probably just a cat. Definitely not a ghost. Definitely not. (Okay, maybe.)
Day 3: Murano Magic, Burano's Burst of Color, and a Pasta-Fueled Meltdown
Morning: A vaporetto (water bus) trip to Murano. Glassblowing! Mesmerizing. And slightly terrifying. Watching those artisans shape molten glass into beautiful sculptures is an art form. I, of course, immediately wanted to buy everything. Managed to resist, mostly. But I did come away with a tiny, ridiculously overpriced, glass bird. Worth it.
Afternoon: Off to Burano for the color! Oh. My. God. Burano is like someone vomited rainbows onto a fishing village. Every single house is painted a different, vibrant hue. The perfect place for a photo-op! Strolled across the colorful streets, laughing a lot while having my photo taken. It was like stepping into a fairy tale. I also, of course, bought an even more ridiculous, and even more overpriced, glass bird.
Evening: Pasta-making class! We signed up for a pasta making class for the evening. In theory, this was going to be a charming evening. In practice, it was, to be frank, a hot mess. The pasta dough kept sticking to my hands (and my clothes). I was mixing it in an almost violent way. The pasta shape that I crafted looked more like a deflated alien than anything edible. I think I might have accidentally dropped a whole egg onto the floor. I spent a good hour with flour on my face and the instructor trying to keep me out of trouble. My partner, on the other hand, was a pasta-making pro. His pasta - even the basic shape was perfect. At the end of the day, we ended up with some delicious pasta anyway. I ate mine with shame and joy.
Day 4: Last Day (Sob!) and a Final Aperol (or Two!)
Morning: Last wander through the Rialto Market. Smells, sounds, and sights; it was perfect; a frenzy of fresh produce, seafood, and delicious smells. We picked up some fresh pastries, and a bunch of souvenirs.
Afternoon: Just soaking in the atmosphere: sitting by the canals, watching the boats glide by, and letting the sun warm my face. Said goodbye to a few locals, and said goodbye to a few pigeons (the one that stole my croissant, however, got a look of pure hatred from me as I passed it).
Evening: Final aperitivo at a tiny bar near the apartment. More Aperol Spritz. And a few tears. Okay, maybe a lot of tears. Venice is beautiful! Then, we had a final meal at a restaurant near the apartment. A simple place, but the food was excellent, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Said goodbye (again) to the waiter.
Day 5: Leaving Venice (and Leaving a Bit of My Heart There)
Morning: Back to Marco Polo Airport. More luggage battles (of course). More jet lag to look forward to.
Overall: Venice, you gorgeous, chaotic, slightly smelly, and utterly captivating city, you stole my heart. You made me laugh, you made me cry, and you definitely made me eat way too much pasta. I'll be back. (Probably covered in flour from a pasta mishap.) Arrivederci, Venezia!
Okay, Venice Apartment Steal: Belvilla by OYO Near Hostaria Vite Rossa! Sounds Amazing... But Is It Really?
Ugh, that name! "Apartment Steal"? Makes you think you're gonna find a gold bar under the sofa. Look, here's the deal – it's Venice. Everything's *somewhat* amazing just by virtue of being in Venice. Belvilla by OYO? Well, let's just say my expectations were… cautiously optimistic. I'd heard the horror stories, you know? About OYO's patchy reputation, the questionable cleanliness, the whole deal. So, armed with a healthy dose of skepticism – and a ton of disinfectant wipes – I booked. And, well… let's just dive in, shall we? Brace yourself, because things… weren't always smooth sailing.
So, First Impressions – What Did You Think When You Walked In?
Okay, picture this: I'm dragging my suitcase (which, by the way, weighed more than a small child after all the 'just-in-case' outfits I'd packed) across a tiny, cobblestone bridge. Finding the place was… *Venetian*. Meaning, winding alleyways, confusing signage, and a moment (or five) of pure, unadulterated panic as I wondered if I'd accidentally booked a room in a secret mafia lair. But! I DID find it. And… it wasn't *terrible*. The "apartment" (more like a snug little pied-à-terre) was, thankfully, not falling apart. It had that slightly musty, old-building smell, which, in Venice, is kind of charming, right? Or maybe I was just acclimatizing to the reality of my budget-friendly choice. The decor? Think "Grandma's Attic Meets IKEA." Functional, let's say that. Now, the *view*, however... that was a different story. Overlooking a charming canal, the gondolas drifting by… Suddenly, the slightly wobbly chair and the slightly dodgy shower drain felt a little less significant. Worth it? Maybe. Definitely not a gold bar, though. More like finding a shiny, slightly tarnished Italian coin. Still pretty.
Cleanliness: The Eternal Question. How'd They Fare?
Alright, let's get real. The cleanliness was… a mixed bag. That’s putting it nicely. The surfaces *looked* clean. Polished, even. But, and this is a big but, I'm pretty sure I saw a dust bunny the size of a small dog trying to hide under the sofa. Also, I found a rogue hair in the bathroom sink. Not mine, I assure you. Made me slightly question the previous occupants' grooming habits. I’m not a germaphobe (okay, maybe a little…), but those disinfectant wipes came in *very* handy. I spent the better part of an hour wiping down everything – doorknobs, light switches, the remote control (you KNOW those things are germ magnets!). So, would I say it was sparkling? No. Would I say it was uninhabitable? No. Let's call it "tolerable with a healthy dose of elbow grease and paranoia."
About the Hostaria Vite Rossa: How Close *Really* Is It? And Was the Food Any Good?
Okay, so the location *was* actually pretty good. The Hostaria Vite Rossa? Barely a stumble away. Maybe a drunken stagger, even! Which is convenient, because… the food at Vite Rossa? Glorious. Absolutely glorious. I mean, authentic, flavorful Venetian dishes. I ate there *every single night*. Okay, maybe not *every* night, but let's just say I became very well-acquainted with their menu. The pasta with seafood… oh, the pasta! The tiramisu? Divine. The staff? Super friendly, despite my increasingly incoherent attempts at Italian after a few glasses of the local wine. So, yeah, location-wise, it's a huge win. Being able to practically roll out of bed (after a questionable night's sleep, thanks to the creaky bed frame), wander a few steps, and be greeted with delicious food and welcoming smiles? Pure Venetian magic. The best part? The *buzzing* atmosphere. Every night was packed with locals and tourists, and it was all *very* convivial. The only downside? My jeans felt a little tighter by the end of the trip. Completely worth it though. Completely.
Anything Major Go Wrong During Your Stay? Any Problems?
Oh, where to even *begin*? Okay, so remember that creaky bed frame I mentioned? Yeah, that thing was a symphony of groans every time I shifted a millimeter. Think of it as a free nightly concert of questionable quality. I swear, at one point, I was convinced the whole thing was going to collapse. I was half-expecting to wake up and find myself sleeping on the floor. Then there was the shower. Lovely, antique looking shower head – problem was, the water pressure was basically a polite suggestion. More like a gentle mist than a proper shower. Washing my hair became a Herculean task. Another thing? The Wi-Fi was… patchy. Nonexistent sometimes. Which, in the age of constant connectivity, is a major bummer. And, of course, let's not forget the occasional power outage. Because apparently, the building's wiring was older than the Doge's Palace. At least I had the candles! I started to feel like a character in a cheesy romantic movie a bit. All in all, it wasn't perfect. But I’m not gonna lie, it was kinda… charming in its own way.
Value for Money? Worth the "Steal?"
Okay, the million-dollar question. The price *was* good. That classic "Venice is expensive, so this is a deal!" vibe. And in a city where hotels can cost more than a small car, this was definitely appealing. Considering the location (near the Hostaria Vite Rossa, a major plus!), I’d say it delivered on that front. You're paying for proximity to the good stuff, not necessarily for luxury. The apartment's imperfections? Well, they added a certain… *rustic charm* (as long as you're forgiving and pack some earplugs). Would I recommend it? That's tricky. If you're on a tight budget, not overly fussy, and prioritize location and delicious food (Vite Rossa!), then, yeah, definitely. If you're expecting pristine perfection and a spa-like experience, then maybe not. Think of it like this: it’s a good basecamp for a Venetian adventure. It’s not the luxurious penthouse you've always dreamed of, but it'll let you get your feet wet, eat amazing food, and experience Venice's magic. And sometimes, that's all you need, right?
Any final words before I book this 'steal?'
Okay, listen up. Book itStaynado
