Hotel L’Orologio

Housed in a centuries-old but nondescript building with a plain pink facade and dark shutters, the four-pearl Hotel L’Orologio doesn’t look like much from the outside. However, interiors are surprisingly stylish and cosmopolitan, with clean lines and a black-and-red color scheme throughout (which, depending on your taste, can be a refreshing alternative to the traditional ornate style common in Venice). The lobby shares the space with the small bar and the expansive breakfast room, which features large windows directly overlooking the Grand Canal. Nods to the watchmaking theme ("Orologio" means watch or clock in Italian) can be found throughout, from the large cabinets displaying collectors’ pieces in the bar area to the illuminated clocks hanging behind the front desk. This watch theme is a little less evident in rooms, but each unit has a picture created with real spare clock pieces, as well as a couple of other small details. 

Although the building has been around for centuries, only a few historical elements remain, such as the wooden ceiling with beams found in most rooms, or the ornate marble fireplace in the breakfast room. Aside from the striking interiors, the other highlight here are the panoramic Grand Canal views, which many rooms and all common spaces have. This hotel is a popular pick for couples and leisure travelers that are drawn by the convenient, central location. 

This hotel is located directly on the Grand Canal, a five-minute walk from Rialto Bridge. There are plenty of restaurants, trattorias, and cafes nearby, and Rialto Market, known for its fresh produce and fish, is just down the street. St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Basilica dei Friari are all just a 10-minute walk away. Attractions that are a little farther afield, such as Dorsoduro and the Guggenheim, can be reached in just about 20 minutes. The Mercado Rialto vaporetto (public water bus) stop is a two-minute walk from the hotel. 

Unlike most boutiques and bed-and-breakfasts in Venice, Hotel L’Orologio stays away from the ornate Venetian decor style of rich fabrics and period furniture. Instead, rooms feature striking contemporary decor with black wood floors and furniture, and bright pops of either yellow, red, or avocado-green in walls, chairs, and bathroom fixtures. Large works of art made with real pieces of clocks and watches decorate the wall above the bed in most rooms, but the watch theme is less obvious in rooms than in common spaces. Most of its rooms have large windows offering expansive views of the Grand Canal, but a few overlook a small side street and can be a bit dark. Charming white wooden ceilings with long beams are the only historic elements that remain in rooms. Upscale amenities include large flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electric kettles with a selection of herbal teas and coffee. Bathrooms are clean and appealing, with colorful sinks, bidets, and toilets that are a modern take on old-style fixtures. Glass-enclosed showers have rain showerheads and nice hotel-brand toiletries. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

This hotel serves a free breakfast buffet in a spacious room with a striking marble fireplace and Grand Canal views. On warmer days, a few wrought iron tables and chairs are set up on the sidewalk overlooking the canal. Adjacent to the breakfast room and the lobby is L’O Bar, which is mostly popular for nightcaps. The hotel is more popular among couples and families than with business travelers, but it offers a single meeting room with audiovisual equipment. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout and turndown service is offered daily, complete with chocolates. There is no full restaurant or fitness center on-site.