Hotel Fontana

I was annoyed with myself at first for booking here instead of the other side of the island, but this hotel turned out to be perfect for our plans. The Basilica, the Doges Palace, and the boat to Murano were all a 5-minute walk away. Our room was quiet and comfortable, with a clean, tidy feel. Step outside, though, and you're right on a lively street in the middle of everything. We'd absolutely recommend it to anyone we know visiting Venice.

If you're thinking of booking this hotel, keep in mind that unexpected things can happen, like a flight cancellation or bad weather. In our case, management showed no understanding and refused both to reschedule our stay and to refund the cost. It was extremely difficult to communicate with them, our messages went unanswered, and they turned down any amicable solution. I strongly recommend buying travel insurance before you book.

We stayed three nights and couldn't find fault with this authentic, family-run hotel. The location is very good, with lots of shops and restaurants nearby, about five minutes from the square and less than 15 minutes from Rialto bridge. Breakfast was good and the staff were very helpful. I'd book here again without hesitation.

Even in the middle of Venice, it was quiet enough at night for us to sleep. This is a quaint, family-owned place, and Diego is wonderful and does what he can to help with anything, though remember he's just one person. We got a daily breakfast as one of the extra perks by booking directly through the hotel website, where we also found better prices. Our stay was very well priced, and we'd come back if we're in Venice again.