Historic Al Sole and other Venice, Italy Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

Al Sole Palace
Ever since I saw a picture of this hotel I wanted to stay here. A historic hotel in the heart of old Venice, overlooking a little canal with a bridge, away from the hustle and bustle of the Grand Canal with its associated noise and vaporeti fumes.

Unique Qualities: Hotel Al Sole was once called Palazzo Marcello and belonged to a Patrician family which, over the centuries, provided Venice with its most illustrious players on the political artistic and economic stage. Built in the sixteenth century, this splendid Palazzo faces the Tolentini canal and was home to Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739) the famous composer renowned as the prince of Venetian music.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other
Comparison: about average

Address: Santa Croce 136 Fondamenta Minotto, Venice, VE 301
Directions: Santa Croce 136 - 30135 Venice (Italy)

From the train station, cross the Grand Canal and turn right, walking down the street until the next bridge; turn left and walk on for approx. five minutes,
Other Contact: ph. +39.041.710844 - Fax +39.041

We booked via the internet and paid about £80/night for a double room.

The facade of the hotel is beautiful and does overlook a small canal...but we hadn't realised that the canal was being dregded and renovated!! Hardly a scenic view but we didn't come to spend all our time in Venice looking out of our hotel room did we. Some fortunate people (read Steventilly) got moved to another hotel whilst the noisy work was being done (before our arrival).

Unique Qualities: in 2004 we noticed the canal work was finished here (several other canals were now being done up instead) and once more gondolas were floating past the hotel around the pretty canals in this area. So you could arrive at this hotel by private taxi now if you wished.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Hotel-restaurant Locanda Cipriani, Torchello.
Peaceful haven to stay on the restful island of Torchello - just 6 rooms. It was a favourite of Ernest Hemmingway who stayed here in 1948 The hotel's restaurant is well renowned too as one of the best in Venice.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Inn

Not actually in Venice itsellf but a short boat ride away on the glass island of Murano. A wonderful peaceful place to stay, restaurants are family afffairs and often cheaper than Venice. Compared to Venice hotels this place is a baragian and of good quality.
Double rooms just 75 euros per night in July and August and 90 eurs the rest of the year.
More details on my Murano page.

Unique Qualities: Antique furnishings, beamed ceilings, Murano glass chandeliers and modern en-suite bathrooms.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: small calle behind the glass museum