Cannaregio, United States
Small hotel full of character, set in a historic 15th century former palace
Retains some original features such as the terrazzo
Veneziano flooring
Close to a ferry stop and some good museums
In a quiet residential area outside the
main tourist area near restaurants
Spacious and lavish rooms with flat-screen TVs and minibars
Decorated in a Venetian style with a North
African twist
Buffet breakfast included in the room rate
Outdoor space on-site in the form of a pretty
courtyard
A 20- to
25-minute walk to Venice’s top sights
Classic Rooms are cramped and dated
No
restaurant on-site
The Ai Mori d'Oriente is an upper-middle-range hotel with 21 rooms across two
buildings in a 15th century former palace. Located a 20-minute walk outside
of the main tourist area, this hotel is in a quiet residential spot with some good
value, authentic restaurants nearby, as well as some less well-known
attractions. Rooms are sumptuous, spacious, and well-kept with a North African
twist on Venetian style (though some of the Classic Rooms feel a touch dated and are cramped). There’s no restaurant here, but a
breakfast buffet is included and can be taken in the pretty courtyard during
warmer weather. Rates are lower here than hotels in the main tourist areas, so
for those who don’t mind a walk, it offers great value.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A decorative and atmospheric small hotel in a historic building
The 15th century palazzo that is now the Ai Mori d'Oriente Hotel was once home to the
Moors -- the Turkish silk and spice traders -- and hints of Moorish-style
decor remains in the property. There are many decorative domes and arches, wall
lanterns, and even the original terrazzo Veneziano flooring -- a type of
marble mosaic. There’s lots of dark wood, such as ceiling beams in the hallway
and a marble-topped walnut reception desk. The inviting bar is walnut too, and the
chairs have red velvet cushions. Overall the atmosphere is peaceful and polished.
Location
In the peaceful Cannaregio neighborhood
The
hotel is located in the residential neighborhood of Cannaregio, overlooking the
Canale della Sensa. It’s a quiet and pretty spot away from the hustle and
bustle of the main tourist areas of Venice. A bonus of the location is that there are
some great restaurants in the neighborhood that are frequented by locals, and
not over-priced like many in the St Mark’s area. The downside is that to reach Venice’s top attractions like St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and the
Rialto Bridge guests must walk 20 to 25 minutes. There are some beautiful sights nearby, too, including the stunning Sant' Alvise
church, built in 1338, and the Church of Madonna dell'Orto, an art-filled 15th century gothic-style church, both a three-minute walk away. It’s five minutes to
the Wagner museum and 15 minutes to the Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo, the museum
of fabrics and costumes. To go over to the islands of Murano, Burano, and
Torcello, the Madonna dell'Orto ferry stop is less than a
five-minute walk away.
Rooms
Cozy rooms with rich and warm decor, plus great bathrooms
The rooms at Ai Mori d'Oriente Hotel are spotlessly clean and
have comfortable beds. Rooms vary in size and decor; some rooms are on the small side and the Classic rooms are a touch dated with patterned bedspreads. Other rooms are more polished and decorated in subdued gold tones. Decorative drapes
or a canopy hang above the bed, with a matching padded headboard, bed cover,
and throw pillows. Every room has air-conditioning, a minibar, flat-screen TV,
safe, clock radio, and hairdryer. The Italian marble bathrooms are spotless too
and each have unique tiling with rich colors. Some have bathtubs, but the rest
come with large shower stalls.
Features
Free breakfast, daytime snacks available, and some outdoor space
The Ai Mori d'Oriente has no restaurant but
offers a free continental buffet breakfast in a small breakfast room. During
warm weather, this can also be taken in the charming courtyard. The American bar, Oasi d'Oriente, serves coffees and snacks such as
sandwiches and burgers. In the evening, they have a good cocktail menu too.
Food and drink can be taken out to the front of the hotel where they have a
pretty terrace overlooking the canal. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi in all public areas, a small reading room with canal
views, an elevator, and airport transfers. There’s a computer with Internet access available for guests to use and a meeting room for business
travelers.
