Hotel alla Fava

From the outside, the hotel looks a little scruffy, with peeling paintwork and an old-fashioned doorway, but once inside the lobby is classic and attractive, with a lovely bright-red carpet that runs up the stairs. The ambience is tidy and unfussy, rejecting the typical overelaborate, flamboyant styling favored by most Venetian hotels, though at the same time it does lack character. There's not much in the way of public spaces in the hotel apart from a tiny breakfast room with an arched roof and traditional stone windows. The guest rooms overlook the canal and a patio area, lending some classic Venetian charm, but guests -- many of whom are vacationing couples -- tend to spend most of their time out and about, meandering around the city. 

The hotel is located on a quiet little street overlooking a canal in the tourist center of Venice. St Mark's Square and its iconic basilica bearing the same name are just a few minutes' walk away, while the iconic Rialto Bridge is a three-minute stroll from the hotel. There are numerous local restaurants and boutiques in the surrounding area, and the Museo Correr is reachable in under a 10-minute walk. The Palazzo Grassi takes just over 20 minutes to reach on foot and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a 20-minute vaporetto (water bus) ride away. The airport can be reached in about an hour on the blue or orange lines of the Alilaguna boats. 

The rooms at Hotel alla Fava are simple but quintessentially Venetian, with decor that includes damask details and light-wood touches. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning and some have safes and/or charming balconies with street views. Small bathrooms have walk-in showers, bidets, and heated towel racks. Some also have bathtubs. The two least expensive rooms have shared bathrooms and worn, outdated decor. Although amenities are limited -- there aren't any minibars and only a few basic toiletry items in the bathrooms -- all of the rooms do have air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. Note that the air conditioners are controlled by staff at the front desk. 

There's no restaurant or bar at the Hotel alla Fava but a continental buffet breakfast is included (in all but the Economy Double Room) and served in a charming breakfast room with a curved ceiling and white walls adorned with a photo of Venice. There are dark wood tables and chairs and a curved doorway that leads out to a small kitchenette with a coffee machine. The breakfast is a decent spread of yogurt, cereals, baked goods, cheese, fresh fruit, and even pâté along with tea and coffee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.