Reviews of Property: 'Nati's House'; flat in Venice, in the lively district of Cannaregio

Very convenient apartment. A short walk from main arrival point in Venice and the water bus. Overlooking a quiet canal in an interesting district. Well stocked supermarket nearby, as well as cafes and restaurants. My wife and I stayed a week and would definitely return. So much to do in Venice and a very useful base from which to do it.

Our visit to Venice is on the top three list of our world travels due to our week stay at Nati's House. My daughter, wife, and I became part of Venice as a result of this charming apartment located in a working class area of Venice. Each moring we shared cappucinos with locals and receive many tips of where to go and see some of the hidden sites of Venice. The accomodations were superb. The setting more than one could ask for in Venice. Paolo and his family are a main reason why we will return to Italy this spring and enjoy southern Italy at their "Trullo de Luna" property. Our relationship with Paolo has grown into a treasured friendship and we have been fortunate to enjoy Italy to the utmost through his friendly assistance. If there are any guarantees in life, Nati's House in Venice is one.

The apartment is as advertised, compact but not claustrophobic, located in a part of the city (Cannaregio) that is well off the usual tourist track but, as Venice is so small, not so far away as to be inconvenient in the slightest. The little balcony overlooking the canal is a highly romantic feature, and the windows' wooden shutters lend a old-fashioned charm (and also make the apartment very, very dark when you close them, a good feature for the light-sensitive sleeper.) The kitchen is tiny but well-equipped with knives, strainer, pots of different sizes, etc. The washing machine worked well.
Two warnings: First, the primary bed is a foldout couch, not a real bed. Not bad for what it is, but something to keep in mind. Second, the downstairs neighbor is highly sensitive to noise, just as previous guests had warned in the journal left in the apartment. Beware! You do not need to be making much noise at all, nor does it need to be late, for him to come upstairs and yell at you. This is not the worst thing that could happen on a vacation, but it is something else to keep in mind.

"My wife and I stayed at Natis house from August 16th to September 5th 2008 on our honeymoon. Both of us had been to Venice before separately and we both hold Venice to be the nicest city in the world. Not that we have been to them all, or don't love where we come from (which is Vancouver Canada and wonderful in its own right). There is just something about Venice. It took a long time to find the right place to stay in Venice. Planning was done months in advance with many emails sent back and forth. Paolo was so very kind in helping with all of our many questions which made our time in Venice as well as Natis house not only possible but wonderful as well. We are both very grateful that he was able to take to heart that it was our honeymoon and go out of his way to provide us with extra information. That is one of the great things about Natis house. There is so much in the way of guide books and writings that those who have been before have left for those who follow. Places to go as well as some names of the shop and restaurant owners. Shops where you can get a liter of good red wine for two Euros, or little smoked mozzarella that fit perfectly into your mouth in one bit. When you have gone out to shops you can return and eat on the balcony as you over look the canal in front of Natis. We left some wine glasses behind so hopefully they survive to be enjoyed at a moment like that for the people there now.
Both my wife and I feel that as wonderful as Venice is during the day with all of the wonderful places to visit, the city is best at night. The streets of Venice are safe at night, the only risk seems to be walking into someone as lost as yourself around some blind corner. This is allot of fun and a great way to test your knowledge of the city as well as the locations of the bridges over the Grand Canal. Natis house is close enough to the night runs of the Vaporetti that you can give up walking wherever you are in Venice and catch a ride to only a few blocks away. That and still be away from the crowds that arrive in for day trips to the city.
One of the things the location of Natis house taught us is that we could find ourselves alone on some beautiful street even when the city seemed packed to capacity just a few streets away.
So that is the important thing to bear in mind, Natis house is in a residential district. If you want to be away from the tourist crowds and see where the locals really live then this is the place to be."

My husband and I rented Nati's House for a week's stay in Venice. The house was exactly as described on the website: it is clean, comfortable and well maintained with a fully functioning kitchen, and, best of all: a terrace overlooking a canal. The location is perfect: it is in a quiet building in a mostly residential area away from tourists, so one really has the feeling of living among locals, yet it is a short walking distance to the train station, the Grand Canal, and the vaporetta stop. There is a supermarket nearby and lots of great restaurants. Additionally, there is information in the apartment about places to go and see. Finally, Paolo, the owner, is charming, helpful, and available to answer questions about the apartment and to make suggestions about activities and places to visit. While there are many, many beautiful places to see in Venice, my favorite activity was simply riding the vaporetta, getting off at any random stop, and "getting lost" walking around Venice. We discovered wonderful shops, restaurants, bars and people. I'd travel to Venice again in a heartbeat and would definitely make sure I could stay at Nati's House.

My wife & I loved of our week in Venice, and especially the comforts and conveniences of staying at Nati's House. The apartment is perfect for two people, and is exactly like it is advertised. Perfect location, and some place we hope to stay in the future. Paolo is responsive to any of your questions and needs. It's an easy walk from the train station, and the boat stop to and from the airport is even closer. We were truly sad to leave after only a week.

I stayed in Nati's house for a week in September 2007 and found the property to be exactly as described (if not better). The apartment is very conveniently situated, close to Vaporetto stops, shops and within walking distance of the main line train station. It is very easy to visit any of the main attractions in Venice such as the Lido (lovely beach and pleasant restaurant on the beach), the Rialto Bridge, the Doges' Palace, Murano and Burano all of which we did during our stay. We tended to eat in as the cooking facilities are excellent and by the time we had walked miles around all the lovely squares and churches etc in Venice we were too tired to venture out much in the evening. There are pleasant walks along the canal banks and some lovely shops to visit all very much within walking distance. The owner was very helpful with information and guide books provided in the apartment and I would definitely stay there again in the future.

For some years now I have been lucky enough to visit Venice several times. The city has charmed me, and as a base for my long walks, vaporetti rides, cappucinos, collecting masks and glass beads, chatting with the locals, enjoying churches and art, I have Nati House. The flat is not big, but I have stayed there with mu husband and our daughter, with a friend and all alone. Situated in a quiet area of Venice, where few tourists find their way, I love to pretend that I belong, that I live here (at least for a week or two). First think in the morning I wake up to the songsof the glassworkers just across the canal, last thing before I go to sleep I listed to small boats passing by. The kitchen is well equipped, and a perfect place for making a meal for two, with the grocery store not far away.

I am in the process of planning more trips to Venice, and my first choice is always Nati House.