Hotel Riviera dei Dogi

We stayed in room 107 a week ago, and the damp smell and poor ventilation hit us as soon as we opened the door. We couldn't sleep at all. There was no shampoo and not enough toilet paper. Breakfast was horrible, with hardly any choice, just a few jams and bread, and not enough for all the guests. There were only 4-5 tables, so we had to stand to eat. It was the worst hotel I've ever stayed in, and I've traveled a lot.

The interior was the one good part of the hotel. The location was a struggle, though. We came last month after pleasant stays in Rome and Florence, and chose this place for the Venice leg of our trip. It was far from the train station, and the taxi cost us over €100. It's quite isolated from the grand canal, with a 30-minute drive to get there for sightseeing and gondola rides. At arrival, there was only one person on reception for the shift. There were no bell boys, so we had to carry our heavy luggage upstairs, and the same staff member also served anything we needed from the bar. Service needs serious improvement. We couldn't get cutlery or extra towels when we asked, there was no kettle in the room for making tea, and the staff should be more courteous. We found the man on the morning shift rude. Breakfast was limited and not filling, very basic for what we were charged. We also weren't allowed to eat anything in our room. This place may suit large groups with their own bus, but otherwise getting to the grand canal takes effort and money. A big no for couples or small groups.

Our room faced the canal, and the staff were really friendly. Venice is an easy trip from here, about 30 minutes on one bus, with the stop less than 100 meters away. We bought a return ticket at the newsagent for around €6.50, I think. There weren’t many English speakers around, just a few, which suited us. Loved our stay, and this is a great base for visiting Venice.

The beds were pretty firm, and the pillows didn’t have much give. Still, it’s a nice hotel, with roomy, comfortable rooms and recently renovated fixtures. The high, cathedral-style ceiling and exposed beams give the place an authentic Italian feel.