Hotel al Ponte dei Sospiri

As the name suggests, the 18th-century Hotel al Ponte dei Sospiri is located on the canal that travels under the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri). Unlike some of the fustier and less elegantly executed historic hotels in Venice's center, there's a lot to like about the classic style here -- once you make it to the guest rooms, at least. There's almost no public space in this hotel, save the compact lobby. Upon walking inside, guests are greeted by a lovely wooden front desk and hand-painted designs on the elevator, but there's really know where to sit and unwind. A large glass door in the reception area opens onto the hotel’s private boat landing. As there's nowhere for guests to mingle, there's no social vibe here -- those looking to socialize will find a wine bar at the hotel's sister property around the corner. The canal-side location appeals to tourists who willing to pay more for a hotel that’s accessible via water taxi and don't mind the lack of an on-site restaurant. 

The canal that runs in front of the hotel passes the Basilica di San Marco and the Doge’s Palace, then skirts under the Bridge of Sighs before emptying into the Grand Canal. In other words, this is about as central as it gets when it comes to Venetian tourist hotels. The walk to Piazza San Marco takes just two minutes, and there are plenty of high-end boutiques, tourist shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars in every direction. For the best vantages on the Bridge of sighs -- aside from a gondola ride underneath -- the canalside promenade, Riva degli Schiavoni, will take five minutes to reach on foot. It’s a 10-minute walk to Rialto Bridge and the Gallerie dell'Accademia is 20 minutes away on foot. For even more art, the Peggy Guggenhiem Collection is about five minutes beyond the Gallerie dell'Accademia. Free round-trip water taxis are provided through the front desk to the Murano Island glass factory. A private dock allows for front-door water taxi transfers to and from the Venice Marco Polo Airport, which is about one hour away by water. 

Decor in all rooms is traditionally Venetian. To be fair, while some guests find the look old fashioned, it's executed in a far more appealing way here than in many hotels in this category. The level of decor varies from one category to the next, with some more understated than others. Murano chandeliers hang from tall ceilings in Deluxe Rooms and feature abundant pops of gold and 18th-century-style furnishings. The navy blue carpets and curtains give them a classy polish, though we did notice a good deal of wear on some furniture in the Deluxe Room that we saw. Bathrooms in Deluxe Rooms have walk-in showers, heated towel racks, and bidets. Baroque curtains, antique furniture, floral wallpaper, exposed wooden beams, and rich drapes hang over beds in Junior Suites, which sleep up to four people. These rooms are worth the extra money, as the look is altogether polished and special. These rooms have marble bathrooms with steam showers or whirlpool tubs. Two Junior Suites can be connected for more space and some also have Juliette balconies. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, safes, and hairdryers. Trouser presses are available on request. Most windows overlook the street and the best views face the canal. 

The Hotel al Ponte dei Sospiri has a private landing on the canal, one of the only amenities this small property offers. Breakfast is free and includes a fairly typical spread of continental options like meats, cheeses, and pastries. It's served in guest rooms at no extra cost or can be taken in the bright dining lounge in the sister hotel -- the Hotel Dona Palace -- which offers a canal-side terrace and large windows facing the water. The hotel promotes drinks and appetizers at the nearby Hell Kitchen Wine Bar, but doesn't have an on-site bar of its own. On request, the front desk can assist with arranging private airport transfers via water taxi and free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel.