Foscari Palace

Like so many of its historic neighbors in the center of Venice, the Foscari Palace is set in a building that dates all of the way back to 1521. It was once the palatial home of a duke, but has modernized over the years, though always with a nod to traditional Venetian style. The large lobby is a bright space with marble floors, wood-beam ceilings, and russet colored leather armchairs and sofas. Marble columns up the grandeur a bit, and there are some beautiful oil paintings of local scenes on the walls. Typically Venetian touches, like iconic Carnevale masks, are on display in a glass cabinet, further adding to the local charm. The hotel is quiet, despite being in a fairly busy and central area of Venice. While many hotels in the city aim at an elegant riff on historic decor, they often fall short, but the Foscari Palace manages to look mostly polished. It's a popular pick right in the heart of the city and it geared towards international tourists, particularly couples.

The hotel's convenient location in central Venice is enviable, as most sights in the city are within a short walk, and the views of the city's iconic Grand Canal are spectacular. The hotel is set on the Cannaregio side of the Grand Canal, with the Rialto Market directly across the canal. A traghetto boat crosses the canal, so accessing the market is easy. The hotel is in a vibrant neighborhood with plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars to choose from just outside the its front door. It's also just a three-minute walk from the Ca d’Oro Vaporetto stop, where boats can be boarded that ply the length of the Grand Canal. Many of Venice's most iconic sights are within a short walk -- the Rialto Bridge is around seven-minutes away on foot and St. Mark's Square is a 10-minute walk. It will take about 30 minutes to reach the Peggy Guggenheim Collection by a combination of walking and vaporetto. Venice Marco Polo Airport is just under an hour from the hotel by ferry or water taxi, on a scenic route that takes visitors past the glass-making island of Murano.

Guest rooms at the Foscari Palace are available as Standard, Superior, or Deluxe, and the style varies a good deal from lower to higher categories. There are also some spacious Suites which have excellent Grand Canal views. Decor harkens back to the early 20th century, and largely does a convincing job at replicating that era's elegance. Marble floors in striking patterns and colors, plus high wood-beam ceilings and sharp etchings and oil paintings give Deluxe Rooms and higher a good deal of elegance. This is amplified by variable design features like decorative fireplaces. Some design elements are more dated, though, which are particularly noticeable in smaller Standard and Superior Rooms -- these include bleached wood furniture and patterned bedspreads. All 23 rooms include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, minibars, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and safes. The white marble bathrooms are quite impressive when compared to the hotel's competition. They feature a have a spa bath, some with a shower over the tub, while others have a separate shower cubicle. Bathrooms also include generous marble vanities, toiletries, and hair dryers. Many rooms have views of the Grand Canal. 

The hotel provides guests with a plentiful, free buffet breakfast each day. This is served in the light, bright breakfast room which has a marble floor and tables dotted around the central breakfast bar. Plenty of fresh fruit, cereals, pastries, jams, and tea and coffee are on offer. The walls are adorned with gold-framed paintings of Venice. There’s also a cozy bar on-site with red leather armchairs, plus a spacious lounge with a TV, lots of comfortable couches, and a charming wood-beam ceiling. One of the highlights of the property though is the fabulous rooftop terrace. Right on the waterfront, it provides absolutely stunning views of the Grand Canal and the rooftops of Venice. There are lots of tables and chairs provided, and it proves a very popular place for guests to sit with a cocktail and watch the boats as they pass. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and room service is available during limited hours. The hotel also welcomes small pets.