Hotel Canal Grande

Hotel Canal Grande is a charming boutique property located in Ca’ Polacco, an elegant little palace which has been painstakingly restored. From the outset, this hotel is special. It has a gorgeous terrace with incredible views over the canal, where water taxis can pull up for an impressive entrance. Inside, art takes pride of place, with original paintings hanging in the breakfast area, lounge, and all the bedrooms. There are plush red velvet armchairs and columns in the communal areas, and plenty of Rococo-era furniture found throughout the property. While there is no full-service restaurant, the hotel does have a lounge bar for people who'd like to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Overall, the hotel provides a classy, and totally immersive feeling of stepping back in time to a fabulous palace on the water. Guests tend to be leisure travelers who are looking for some extravagance without the typical fusty style found at other Venice properties. The result is an elegant, but social vibe that mostly draws couples. 

The hotel is located in a typical Venetian square that's set apart from the main hustle and bustle of the Grand Canal but still overlooks it. Travelers only venture down here to go to one of the hotels, so the immediate setting is quiet. Even so, it’s only a few minutes from the train station and Piazzale Roma, which has overland connections travelers to the airport and beyond. The property is found in the Santa Croce district, which is a favorite with tourists looking to visit the various churches and major landmarks which are close by. It’s an eight-minute walk to Scuola Grande di San Rocco, which is an important building housing some of Tintoretto’s finest work. Also, within walking distance is Ca’ Pesaro, a modern art museum that's just nine minutes away on foot. The Rialto Market and Rialto Bridge are within a 15-minute walk. However, it takes a bit more effort to get to St. Mark's -- expect over 20 minutes on foot or by boat. It takes about half an hour to get to the Marco Polo Airport via bus from Piazzale Roma.  

Rooms at Hotel Canal Grande are the epitome of Venetian style but err on the side of glamorous rather than gaudy. Don't expect to see the usual clashing royal blues and deep reds often found in old Venice hotels. Instead, this property has opted for softer shades of those colors plus wooden floors, so it looks a lot less dated than competitors. Despite some thoroughly modern touches -- like the TVs that fade into the gilded, vintage-style mirrors -- the rooms are true to their historic roots. Details include Murano glass lamps, beautiful period dressers, and writing desks. The hotel’s obsession with art comes through in beautiful Old-World originals decorating the walls. In fact, rooms are named after the piece of art that hangs inside of them, like Carnevale, Guardi, and Dogaressa. Two of the rooms even have terraces, which are hard to come by in Venice. Suites are larger than the other rooms and include a separate living area with elegant sofas and chairs. Amid all the nods to ancient and antiquated Venice, there are modern amenities that are discretely tucked away so as not to spoil the effect. In-room safes, air-conditioning and heating, and telephones are all standard. There’s free Wi-Fi too. The elegant marble bathrooms include either high-tech showers or shower/tub combos plus heated towel racks and a decent amount of vanity space. Of course, the best rooms -- without a doubt -- look directly onto the Grand Canal (just expect to pay extra). 

The hotel’s communal areas are a highlight, though like most central Venice properties, features are few here. The beautiful breakfast room spills out into a cozier, less formal bar and reading corner, with a terrace jutting out into the canal. Purple-red tub armchairs and fresh flowers make it an attractive spot for breakfast. In the evening, it's one of the few hotel bars in Venice where you would genuinely hang out rather than venture to a nearby bacari (wine bar). Breakfast is a continental buffet and includes croissants, cereals, yogurts, and fruit. The spread is extensive and perfect for fueling up before a day of sightseeing. The Canal Grande’s guests are almost exclusively tourists, and free packages to Murano and the other islands to visit the glass factories and watch glass blowing are a nice perk. The 24-hour reception is also adept at suggesting and arranging wine tours and so-called hidden Venice excursions.