Antica Locanda al Gambero

This story behind this hotel is typical of many in Venice -- it was previously a residential building with windows overlooking a narrow street, but was converted into a hotel as the years passed. As such, its interiors are compact, but despite its central Venice location, the hotel is quiet and it has plenty of classic Venetian charm. The lobby is small and cozy, with a checkerboard floor and a few antique chairs and seats for guests while they check in. There's not much to look at, and it's not the kind of place anyone would hang out for long stretches of time. There is a handsome lounge for guests with plenty of classic style and a piano, and the hotel has a terrace as well for outdoor dining. Stairs lead up to guest rooms, and while staff will assist guests with bags, there is no elevator and top-floor rooms can require some stamina. The hotel primarily sees couples on vacation, though plenty of families stay here as well.

This hotel is located in the popular Calle dei Fabbri, a narrow lane that runs from Piazza San Marco to the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge. It's a touristy area full of shops, bars, restaurants, and markets, and is a great location for travelers wanting to be within walking distance of the city's iconic sights. Piazza San Marco -- home to the Doge's Palace, San Marco's Basilica, the San Marco Bell Tower, and plenty of photo ops with pigeons -- is only a three-minute walk from the hotel. The Rialto Bridge takes six minutes to reach on foot. Water taxis and shuttles can be picked up to the north and south of the hotel on the Grand Canal, a four- or five-minute walk in either direction. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection can be reached in just over 10 minutes by walking and using water taxis, and Santa Maria della Salute is also a 10-minute journey from the hotel. Expect it to take an hour to reach Marco Polo Airport by taxi or train (taxis depart from near the train station), and Treviso Canova Airport is a little more than an hour's drive outside of the city.

Like most hotel rooms in this part of Venice, the offerings here are typically small, though they manage to keep their antique style without looking dated and worn -- a welcome change for a historic hotel in a popular tourist area. The style is classically Venetian, with features like damask or striped wallpaper, bedspreads that match the drapery, ornate chandeliers, wood or tile floors, and gilded mirrors. Handsome wooden furniture has antique lines in most rooms, but some -- like the Economy Room that we visited -- feature flowers and frills and may be too much for some guests. Triple Rooms squeeze a single bed next to a double, which may make moving around the room difficult. All come with modern amenities like air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffee-making facilities, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. A few rooms even have balconies. Views are mostly of the rooftops and nearby buildings, but some rooms look down onto the canal and you can hear the gondoliers singing as they drift past. Bathrooms are tiny, but include bidets and a bit of counter space around the sinks. They look a bit outdated and feature walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. We did spot a bit of mildew. Toiletries, hairdryers, robes, and slipper are provided.

A free breakfast buffet is served daily in the breakfast room, a cozy space with a checkerboard tile floor, striped damask wallpaper, white tablecloths, booth and table seating, and Venetian art on the walls. Offerings are better than most, with hot options like eggs and meat alongside traditional continental fare. The on-site restaurant, Le Bistrot de Venise, serves Venetian and Italian specialties, and there's a little terrace for dining alfresco in nice weather. An internet corner in the lobby provides computers for guests to use, and there's a big-screen TV in front of a seating area. An additional lounge offers newspapers and comfy sofas where guests can hang out -- the room also has a piano. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and the front desk is open 24 hours a day.