Locanda de la Spada, Venice

This hotel had a fantastic location. It was steps off the Giglio Vaparetto stop. It was very close to St. Mark’s square either walking or by Vaparetto. Also, right next to Musica Palazzo where you can see a wonderful opera in an intimate setting. Delicious breakfast with a balcony off the breakfast room with a view of the grand Canal. Our room was an enormous suite which we were upgraded to for free. The entire place has obviously been completely renovated recently because it was amazing! The only possible downside would be for the unfit or handicapped because there is no elevator and the rooms are on the 3rd floor (4th floor US). Air conditioning worked well. We loved it there!

Piccolo hotel di immenso charme: non chiedete al concierge la password del wifi, né dov’è l’ascensore (per i mega hotel accomodarsi a Las Vegas, prego): godetevi invece la vera Venezia dal cuore del Canal Grande. Fatevi coccolare da uno staff eccezionale in camere bellissime e confortevoli nel palazzo cinquecentesco Palazzo Marin Contarini. Fate colazione godendovi la vista sul Canal Grande e perdetevi a piedi nelle calli silenziose, o se preferite prendete il vaporetto nella comodissima fermata (praticamente attaccata all’hotel) per arrivare ovunque in pochi minuti. Grazie di cuore per un soggiorno meraviglioso e indimenticabile, che ripeteremo presto! Giuseppe e Marcella – Torino Small hotel of immense charme: don’t ask the concierge for the wifi password, nor where the elevator is (if you’re lookin for a mega hotel go to Las Vegas, please): enjoy the real Venice from the heart of the Canal Grande, instead. Be pampered by an exceptional staff in beautiful and comfortable rooms in the sixteenth-century Marin Contarini Palace. Have breakfast while enjoying the view of the Canal Grande, lose yourself by foot in the quiet streets, or if you prefer just take a (frequent) ferry in the very convenient stop (practically attached to the hotel) to get everywhere in a few minutes. Thank you very much for a wonderful, unforgettable stay, which we will repeat as soon as possible! Giuseppe and Marcella – Turin – Italy

It’s a great small property in a brilliant location, however it is basic and doesn’t have any facilities other than the small reception and the breakfast (which was brilliant!) area beside the rooms on the 4th floor. But value wise it’d be hard to beat. One minus - 4 floors up and no lift for people, but the will send your luggage up in a small service lift.

ABSOUTELY AMAZING. Excuse the capitals but I simply cannot recommend this hotel highly enough. After staying in over 15 hotels over 4 weeks of travelling around Europe, this was by far, the best in every way. From the moment you walk in, you are met with a perfect balance of ancient architecture with a modern touch. Its lobby is beautiful and the sandstone staircase up to the rooms is very nice. The rooms themselves are very big and the bathrooms are enormous. The facilities in the bathroom as well as the products provided show the level of effort this hotel puts into every day. The beds and pillows were the best of our 4 week stay in Europe. . The breakfast buffet was delicious with a huge variety. The fridge with the countless types of yogurts alone made it difficult to decide each morning what to have (in a good way). The location is perfect, take the water bus from the train station with a stop directly in front of the hotel (their website explains it), which means no walking around Venice for miles with bags. Finally, the staff were incredibly polite and hospitable. My only disappointment was that we didn't stay there longer. This hotel is definitely value for money and would recommend to anyone looking to stay in Venice. Thanks again, Locanda de la Spada.

The location is perfect and right off the boat at Giglio stop. It’s 3 min to San Marcos square and all the high end shops! The breakfast is outstanding and the lounge/breakfast area is in Gran Canal with balcony for all to use. We were more than thrilled with this hotel! Highly recommend it and the rooms are very large. Loved it!