Hotel Canal

Hotel Canal is situated on the Grand Canal and housed in an 18th-century terra cotta-colored building typical of central Venice. Guests enter a lobby that's lifted from another time. It's a fairly gracious look, with wood-beamed ceiling, a Persian rug, and colors like taupe, burgundy, and rose pink throughout. However, like many budget hotels throughout Venice, this one could benefit from some freshening up. Furnishings and carpets are worn in both public spaces and rooms, and many rooms need sprucing up to address dirt, stains, mold, and problems with air conditioning and lighting. Guests gather in the breakfast room for the free continental spread, served in the summer in a small outdoor garden with flower bed and trees. This garden is a haven from the city heat and noise, but it's not as attractive and clean as it could be, and guests are allowed to smoke there, which may bother non-smokers. The Hotel Canal draws leisure travelers to its location near the train and bus stations, and prices are lower than at similar hotels closer to St. Mark's Square and other attractions. 

Hotel Canal is situated next to the Papadopoli Gardens in the Santa Croce district, overlooking the southwest end of the Grand Canal. The surrounding area is filled with shops, restaurants, and bars aimed at tourists. The hotel is in a great location for access to transportation: Piazzale Roma is under a five-minute walk from the hotel and has buses and vaporetto water taxis, while it's a five-minute walk to Venice Santa Lucia train station. It will take five minutes by People Mover to reach the cruise terminal from Piazzale Roma. However, the hotel is not in a great location for access to Venice's main sights. The Gallerie dell'Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim Collection art museums are about 15 minutes away by a combination of walking and vaporetto. It takes about 25 minutes by walking and vaporetto to reach the city's iconic St. Mark's Square, which is home to St. Mark's Basilica, the Campanile, Doge's Palace, and Bridge of Sighs. Hotel Canal is about 20 minutes by car or taxi or 25 minutes by bus from Venice Marco Polo Airport.   

Rooms at Hotel Canal are done in 18th-century Venetian style, with warm colors of taupe, bronze, and gold. Damask wallpaper, wood headboards and wardrobes with a floral motif, and Murano-glass mirrors in ornate frames combine to create a classical effect. However, almost all aspects of the rooms are tired, with stained or worn upholstery, peeling wallpaper, old bedspreads, and moldy bathroom tiles. Guests also report problems with non-functioning air-conditioning, light fixtures, and lamps. All 17 rooms come with safes, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with satellite and English language channels, though the latter are small. The hotel charges a fee for Wi-Fi, and there are occasional issues with speed and reliability. The hotel is perched on the Grand Canal, and it's worth paying a little extra to get a room overlooking the water, but keep in mind that noise may be an issue in these rooms. Bathrooms are a little cramped, and have limited counter space around the sink. All have hairdryers and bidets, and some have bathtubs. The hotel has no elevator, and guests may find it a bit exhausting to carry luggage up the somewhat steep stairs. Smoking and non-smoking rooms are available. 

Hotel Canal offers just a few amenities. The free continental breakfast buffet features hard-boiled eggs, cold cuts, cheeses, yogurt, cereal, breads, pastries, coffee, tea, and juice. The quality of the spread is decent according to most previous guests. During the summer, the breakfast is served in the outdoor garden. The hotel bar serves beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails in the evening and coffee and snacks throughout the day. The Canal has no on-site restaurant, but it does have discount arrangements with several restaurants in the area. The hotel also has a 24-hour front desk, tourist assistance, and lobby computer for guest use. There is no on-site parking, but public parking is available nearby, with a discounted fee for guests.