Best Windows

The clock’s bells rang loudly on the hour through the night, so earplugs might help if you need quiet to sleep. We actually loved hearing the chimes and the famous 15th century mechanism working just beyond our wall. Staying inside the Clock Tower made the whole visit feel special. We stayed in room 711 at the Best Windows boutique hotel during Venice’s spectacular February 2019 Carnival. The room is inside the early Renaissance tower on the north side of Piazza San Marco, with wonderful views of the colorful celebrations below. Its antique Venetian furniture and décor made it feel like stepping back in time. There’s no elevator, so we carried our luggage up the stairs, but it was worth the effort. We could put on our costumes and walk straight into the Plaza, right into the Carnival. The Clock Tower has no room service or front desk, but check-in and checkout are at the boutique hotel a minute away. We can’t recommend the Best Windows boutique hotel enough for its history, beauty, and festival atmosphere. We’re already planning another visit to this one-of-a-kind place. Five stars.

The windows do give you the view promised in the title, straight over St Mark Basilica, Doja's Palace, and the Bell Tower. But we wished we’d chosen a nicer hotel somewhere quieter. It feels like you’re paying for the location and not getting what you’d expect from a 4 star hotel. We hadn’t realized there were around three different bells nearby. With the windows closed, it was much quieter, but the air conditioning wasn’t working when we stayed, so the room got quite warm. With the windows open, earplugs and mosquito repellent would be useful. St Mark Square is very busy, with live music and loud street noise until midnight, then it gets busy again around 8.30-9am. Credit to the window maker, though, they do quiet things down once closed. The room was basic, and some things weren’t as advertised.

The location was convenient, but the price felt far too high for what we got. The furniture was old and worn, the room wasn’t as clean as I’d expect at that price, and the amenities and services fell short. Our room was on the third floor with no elevator. I’d hesitate to recommend it when other hotels in the area seem to offer better value and a more comfortable stay.

Such an amazing place, with a lovely room and a view I could hardly believe was possible. We knew there was no tea or coffee and no lift, and that didn’t bother us, though it might matter to others.