Starhotels Splendid Venice

The interiors of Starhotels Splendid Venice are a tasteful mix of traditional and contemporary decor, with clean-lined furniture, shaded sconce lighting, and silk-lined draperies. The grapefruit-pink stucco building dates back to 1900 and has its own water taxi landing, marina, and a terrazzo lobby with an antique reception desk and hexagonal, tasseled light fixtures. There are a few small lounge areas with upholstered seating, bookshelves with eclectic titles, and large windows overlooking the canal. The Lounge Bar also overlooks the canal and has plush furnishings in purple, gray, and ruby, and gold metallic stools around a giant pink ottoman. Breakfast is served in the Campiello courtyard under a glass roof, a space that is lantern-lit in the evening. The property's formal dining room, Le Maschere, in shades of cream with white tablecloths and soft lighting, includes a small, mirror-walled room for private parties. Perhaps the most popular space is the rooftop terrace, which offers extensive views of the city and is an excellent perch for a drink at dusk. This upscale property draws couples on a romantic trip and well-heeled, international sightseers. 

The hotel is on a canal, a two-minute walk to Piazza San Marco, amid shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. The Teatro Stabile del Veneto is a four-minute walk from here, as is the famed Rialto Bridge. Other nearby sights that can be reached on foot in about five to seven minutes include the Doge's Palace and the Teatro La Fenice opera house. Venice's water buses, or vaporetto, give access to many other attractions, like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (about 15 minutes away), the Church of San Sebastian with its frescoes by Veronese (20 minutes away), and the colorful island of Murano with its glass-blowing studios (about 35 minutes). The chic beaches of the Lido are about 35 minutes away. Venice's Santa Lucia train station is 15 to 20 minutes by vaporetto, while Marco Polo International Airport is around a 20-minute drive or a bit under an hour by public transportation.

There are five room types at the Splendid Venice, ranging from the 161-square-foot Superior Room, which guests describe as pretty but small, to the luxurious 861-square-foot Presidential Suite. Rooms are tastefully furnished with elegant, contemporary pieces, oak floors, and black-and-white photos of Venice adorning the walls. Windows overlook the canal, the Venice skyline, and San Marco Bell Tower. All of the rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, espresso machines, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Upper-category rooms add terraces and jetted tubs. Mattresses are the hotel's own, and there's a pillow menu. Large, upscale bathrooms are sconce-lit and almost entirely clad in deeply veined, white Italian marble with new fixtures and fittings, including a tub/shower combo with a glass shield and a bidet -- but there are no separate tubs and showers here. Toiletries are the hotel's own brand, and there are magnifying mirrors, bathrobes, and slippers. Upper-category rooms include ironing and butler service as well as a bottle of red wine and discounts for the hotel's a la carte room service menu. 

Starhotels Splendid Venice meets all the expectations for an upscale hotel. Le Maschere, the hotel's restaurant, serves traditional Venetian fare in an elegant setting. The hotel also offers a Room of Mirrors for private dining, plus there's a lobby bar with views of the canal that serves coffee, tea, and cocktails. The rooftop bar offers gorgeous views of the city and its rooftops and canals. The hotel provides a free breakfast buffet that includes cream-filled doughnuts, fruit, and cured meats in a lovely, glass-roof courtyard. Room service is available 24/7.

Business travelers are catered to with a meeting room, a business center with computers, fax, and copier machines, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The hotel even has a private water landing for gondolas and water taxis as well as a marina. Concierge service includes rental car bookings. The reception is staffed 24-hours and includes luggage storage and a safe. Pets are allowed but they must be small to medium in size.