Riva Brioni 17, Grado, Italy | (618) 248-8274
Scenic lagoon-front location in Gardo
Walking distance from beach, restaurants, and bars
Spacious and contemporary rooms -- many with furnished balconies
AC, minibars, hairdryers, and flat-screen TVs come standard
Wellness center has a full-service spa and indoor pool
Elegant restaurant serving local cuisine alongside water views
Free continental breakfast with breads, cheese, and coffee
Bar and lounge for drinks
Free summertime kids' club
Free property-wide Wi-Fi
Fee to access wellness center
Parking costs extra
The upper-middle-range Laguna Palace Hotel is a pleasant, contemporary property with a convenient location across the road from the lagoon in the small town of Grado. It towers over its low-slung neighbors, allowing for prime views from the spa, pool, and elegant main eatery. Many of the 71 spacious rooms also boast balconies overlooking the water. The modern units have a largely neutral-tone design, air-conditioning, minibars, LCD TVs and free Wi-Fi. The presence of Family Suites, an indoor pool, and free seasonal kids' clubs creates an all-ages appeal. A swish wellness center with treatment rooms, sauna, and steam room is a welcome feature. Travelers wanting an outdoor pool and views of the sea instead of the lagoon may prefer Hotel Atlantic in Lignano Sabbiadoro.
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Scene
Contemporary property with stellar views and central location
The Laguna Palace Hotel is a contemporary, six-story property done in a largely neutral palette with pops of red. A formal lobby -- picture dark woods, marble floors, plush seating, and a faux-alligator reception desk -- gives off a pleasant first impression, which is carried into the all-white breakfast room and right up to the top-floor restaurant with white-linen tablecloths and grand piano. Decor isn't the highlight here, though, instead being the stellar marina, city, and sea views from multiple vantage points. An indoor pool and spa provide some leisure activities for adults, while little ones can take advantage of a seasonal kids' club.
Location
Overlooking the lagoon and close to the beach
As its name suggests, this hotel faces the gorgeous Grado Lagoon, and is a five-minute walk from the beach. This means guests have easy access to excursion boats that ferry out to popular sites like Barbana Island (home to an ancient Marian shrine). Back on dry land, Grado itself -- a former fishing village that morphed into a thriving resort town -- has more to explore. Its pedestrian-only center contains shops, eateries, and historic attractions, many of them clustered near the main square (Campo dei Patriarchi), which is a 14-minute walk from the hotel. Driving the same amount of time will take guests to the nearest 18-hole golf course, and the bird-filled Valle Cavanata Nature Reserve is just a few minutes longer. Guests arriving by car can park at Laguna Palace’s on-site garage for a daily fee. The closest airport is about a 30-minute drive away in Trieste.
Rooms
Modern, spacious rooms with minibars, AC, and bidets
Decorated in muted tones with the occasional pop of color in throw pillows, the rooms here are clean-lined and contemporary. Wood floors add visual warmth and while huge headboards add texture, but the lack of artwork and decorations can leave rooms feeling austere. Regardless, rooms are spacious and all have seating areas, walk-in closets, and furnished balconies. Also standard are air-conditioning, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibars, digital safes, flat-screen TVs, desks, and free Wi-Fi. Handsome bathrooms have small shower stalls, robes, bidets, hairdryers, and toiletries. Suites add extra square footage and bigger showers. Some rooms have pretty vistas.
Features
Sixth-floor wellness center and restaurant serving regional fare
The highlight here is a top-floor wellness center that includes a spa and indoor pool, both with stunning lagoon views. Ample treatments are available, as are a steam room and sauna, though they cost extra. The pool has whirlpools and loungers. On the same floor is the elegant Laguna Sky Restaurant, offering a seasonal Mediterranean menu that often includes locally caught seafood. It too boasts scenic views through a wall of windows. Facilities on the floors below include a breakfast room where free continental spreads of cold meats and cheeses, fruit, breads, and coffee are served every morning, a little bar, and a library-like lounge. During the summer a kids' club with organized activities is available six days a week for children ages 6 and up. Wi-Fi is free.
