Hotel Santa Marina

The Santa Marina Hotel is a step up from many other shabby chic Venice boutiques, with 18th-century style enhanced by sleek, modern conveniences. Though the outside doesn't look like much, the feel throughout the interiors is very high-end and intimate, with enough space for groups to gather and socialize. The Santa Marina is built in a former 15th-century convent, but it doesn’t feel religious on the inside; the atmosphere is more that of a restored palazzo, with a cherrywood paneled lounge hung with Murano glass chandeliers and wall sconces, oil paintings, and lush fabrics. There is a lovely terrace where guests can enjoy their breakfast during the warmer months while looking over the picturesque canals, rooftops, and square below. The breakfast room is furnished with topiaries and linen tablecloths, and the cozy bar features enormous green leather booths made for socializing, with elaborate millwork, and a full slate of liqueur, espresso, and more. The Santa Marina offers modern conveniences as well as an authentic Venice experience.

The Santa Marina Hotel is well-located in the center of Venice, a five-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge and 10 minutes’ walk from St. Mark’s Square. The Lido, Venice’s popular beach and recreation area, is 15 minutes away by water bus. The immediate area is predominately residential buildings and small shops, with a small, quiet square for strolling. The hotel is enough off the beaten track that guests can mingle with locals, but without sacrificing proximity to the major tourist attractions. Unless arriving by water taxi, guests with heavy bags should be aware that they will have a bit of a walk to reach the hotel from the Santa Lucia train station or the bus terminal (25 to 30 minutes).

Rooms at the Santa Marina Hotel are beautifully decorated, with lovely patterned wallpaper, wood or marble floors, luxe drapes and spreads, delicate antique furniture, and Murano glass lighting fixtures, some in fun Venetian colors. Some rooms overlook the campo below; others look over the canals. Some rooms may have a bit more polish than others. Bathrooms typically have bidets and small standing showers, but can be tiny (rooms can be quite tight, too). Amenities include air-conditioning, safes, large wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, minibars, turndown service, and free toiletries, but no in-room tea or coffee service. Rooms in the main hotel building are preferable to those in the nearby annex, which has weaker Wi-Fi, can be hard to find, and does not have elevator access to its upper-floor rooms. Note that hot water in the shower can be inconsistent and guests have complained of poor bed and bedding quality. 

The Santa Marina Hotel has a lovely wooden terrace overlooking the Campo Santa Marina below, where breakfast is served during the summer months. A basic buffet breakfast (of mostly cold items such as pastries) is free to guests and served in a sweet, bright breakfast room lined with topiaries. The bar is sizable and cozy, with enormous booths for socializing and checkerboard tile floors. The hotel has a private water landing for water taxis and airport arrivals, which is particularly convenient for guests with heavy bags. Wi-Fi is free throughout.