Hotel Al Duca di Venezia

The Hotel Al Duca di Venezia is a 15th-century palace located near the Grand Canal that appeals mostly to couples, but also to families who want an authentic Venetian hotel that's close to the train station. The entrance -- which sits on a narrow Venice side street -- looks like a small palace with a red banner bearing the hotel’s name hanging from a small balcony over the front door, which is flanked on both sides by small topiaries. Inside, the small lobby features exposed wood-beamed ceilings, Murano chandeliers, traditional comfy furniture, and a small elevator.

The hotel is located near the Grand Canal in the district of Santa Croce and can be difficult to find for those unfamiliar with the city. Guests recommend following signs for the Natural History Museum, which is a one-minute stroll from the hotel. The Santa Lucia train station is a ten-minute walk away. The Rialto Bridge is a seven-minute vaporetto (water bus) ride from the San Stae stop or 15 minutes on foot. San Marco's Square and Basilica are 18 minutes on foot. Three minutes farther on foot is Doge's Palace. The airport is just over an hour away by vaporetto. 

The hotel offers Classic, Superior, and Family Rooms as well as Suites with sitting rooms, bedrooms, and balconies. Traditional red Venetian decor, damask details, and Murano light fixtures fill most rooms. Views overlook the courtyard or other buildings. Top-floor rooms have exposed wood-beamed ceilings with skylights, although taller guests might find them inconveniently low. All rooms have air-conditioning, irons, kettles, safes, and minibars, and some have slippers and bathrobes. There are also apartments by the Grand Canal, which feature private entrances, sofa beds, patios, and kitchenettes with ovens, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, and mini-fridges. Bathrooms have bidets, heated towel racks, and either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos.

The Al Duca has a comfy lounge with damask textiles, exposed wood-beamed ceilings, Murano glass fixtures, and homey furniture. There are also a few dining tables positioned by large windows. An Internet corner offers a laptop for guest use and Wi-Fi is free throughout. A small buffet breakfast is served in a room with Murano glass fixtures, gilt details, and Venetian paintings. There’s also a bar that is warm and comfy, with tufted booth seating, a Murano chandelier dangling from wood ceiling beams, two large windows, and a flat-screen TV. The hotel also has a meeting space that can fit up to 20 people, and business services come free to those renting the room. There's also a rustic brick courtyard with a well at the hotel's center.