Corte Dei Servi 

My best friend and I rented Corte dei Servi's three-bedroom "holiday apartment" so that we could each have our own bedroom and bathroom, plus a garden and space to hang out in together at the end of each day. Corte dei Servi was amazing -- a gem right off a canal in the area of Dorsoduro -- close enough to all of the major sights and glories of Venice, yet at enough of a remove as to give us peace and quiet at the end of a long day. The interior is like a mini-palazzo -- high-beamed, historic ceilings; Murano glass chandeliers; sumptuous furnishings, high-end linens, a wide stone staircase. It enabled us to experience the history and beauty of Venice even when we were simply brushing our teeth or making espresso in the mornings! (The kitchen comes fully stocked with water, orange juice, milk, butter & jam, bread-stuffs and biscuits, yogurt, cereal, and lots of gorgeous fresh fruit -- everything you need for a good Italian breakfast and then some.) The beds are comfortable, and the air-conditioning is extremely effective -- a godsend in the heat. One bedroom overlooks the stunning garden; the others have side views onto courtyards -- less scenic but even quieter. Even the bathrooms are lovely. There is a safe, hairdryers, robes...all the amenities you need. And every day, our beds were made and the apartment was cleaned, so while we had the space and freedom of a "self-catering" flat, we had none of the responsibility of shopping for groceries, doing dishes, drying towels, etc. This made for a perfect holiday. Antonella is an exceptional host. Staying at Corte dei Servi was a spectacular addition to our time in Venice.