Hotel Ala (Adults Recom’d)

Two lion statues guard the entrance of Hotel Ala, which is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the city. Inside, the hotel is adorned with old-fashioned touches, from the vintage helmets and guns resting inside glass cabinets in the lobby to the knight’s full suit of armor standing nearby. Behind the tall wooden front desk is an old-fashioned hotel key cabinet, and a guest book sits open on a smaller desk ready to be signed. All around the lobby are old-fashion frescoes plus a large chandelier hanging overhead. This classic decor extends throughout the hotel, though some furnishings are showing a bit of wear. A breakfast buffet with hot and cold items is served in the breakfast room, and there is a rooftop terrace with tables and chairs. Tarnowska’s American bar is a full bar that has plenty of seating with its eclectic collection of leather chairs and couches.

Hotel Ala is in a beautiful area of Venice convenient for travelers. It’s less than a minute’s walk to the Giglio vaporetto (or water taxi) stop on the Grand Canal. The hotel sits near the Campo di Santa Maria del Giglio on a small square with a side canal running behind it. Major Venice sights including the shops and restaurants of St. Mark’s Square as well as the Goldoni and La Fenice theaters are all within walking distance of the property.

Rooms are decorated in classic Venetian style, with patterned bedspreads (often with a damask look) and the occasional painting and or fresco on the wall. Some rooms have charming historical touches such as chandeliers, antique furniture, or wood beam ceilings; floors are of wood, terazzo tile, or carpeted. Classic Rooms are small and some only have a curtain to divide the shower from the rest of the bathroom. Most of the Superior and Deluxe Double rooms overlook either the little canal called Rio di Santa Maria Zobenigo or Campo di Santa Maria del Giglio. All rooms have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, safes, hairdryers and minibars. There is free Wi-Fi in the rooms, but the hotel only provides a password for one device per room.

One of Hotel Ala's most popular features is Tarnowska's American Bar, which serves a variety of beverages and snacks in a space filled with colorful leather seating. The rooftop terrace is a choice spot for unwinding after a day of exploring the city's sights. There is also a private events room for business travelers. The breakfast buffet with hot and cold items is served in the breakfast room, and rubber boots are available for when the canal water rises. Some added perks (such as in-room Prosecco service) is available at a fee.