Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal

Repeat guests of the Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, an international crowd with a heavy dose from the United Kingdom, enjoy the property's old fashioned appearance and manners. There is a neon sign on the pale yellow stucco exterior of the building, while inside, guests are greeted by an oak paneled reception desk with a board holding room keys. The bright, cream-colored lobby is full of natural light thanks to an atrium skylight that illuminates the glossy tile floors and elegant furnishings. Celery-colored velour and wingback chairs as well as gold-leaf armchairs upholstered in cream and blush leather provide seating, while newspapers dangle from an oak stick stand. La Cupola is the hotel's fine-dining restaurant, and it's an elegant setting for a meal, with crisp tablecloths and flowers in vases. Guests remark about the brilliant views from the Sky Lounge, the hotel's rooftop terrace where drinks are served with Venice as the backdrop. There is also a harshly lit, stuffy-looking breakfast room with a fussy, table-skirted buffet and a small bar off the lobby where expensive coffee and tea are served. Unusual for Venice, the property, which is four floors, includes an elevator. 

The Hotel Carlton overlooks the Grand Canal and is a four-minute walk from the Santa Lucia train station, in a bustling neighborhood of historic buildings, restaurants, hotels, and shops. The Rialto Bridge is a three-minute walk from the hotel. Many top sights can be reached by vaporetto, Venice's water bus, such as the Gallerie dell'Accademia (15 minutes by vaporetto or 20-minute walk), Teatro La Fenice (20 minutes by vaporetto), Doge's Palace (25 minutes by vaporetto), and Piazza San Marco (25 minutes by vaporetto or on foot). A trip to the island of Murano and its glass studios takes about an hour, and Lido and its chic beaches can also be reached in about the same time. Marco Polo International Airport is around a 20-minute drive or a half-hour by vaporetto. 

Rooms at the Hotel Carlton are traditionally Venetian and layered with pattern, from the heavy, black-out drapes and matching broad valence and sheers, to the tailored bedspreads, carpets, and wall coverings. Some find the decor dated and heavy, while others appreciate its classic elegance. The furniture includes hand-painted pieces, cane-fronted armoires, and fabric or leather tufted headboards. Guests advise a canal-fronted room, though they are pricier; one room includes a private terrace.  All rooms have air-conditioning, but a chief complaint is that the rooms are hot. Guests also complain that some rooms get noise from the street or neighboring rooms. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, safes, and minibars, but there are no tea- and coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms feel dated due to weak lighting scheme and bland style. There are tile floors and walls and traditional porcelain fixtures, including tub/shower combos. Bathrooms include bidets, wall-mounted hairdryers, and free toiletries. There are also attractive white terry cloth robes, and guests praise the housekeeping. 

Hotel Carlton has several features that encourage lingering and indulgence. The property offers a free buffet breakfast that includes trays of cornetti and other Italian pastries, cured meats, cheeses, and fruit. There's a small lobby bar that serves alcoholic drinks as well as coffee, tea, and ice cream. The rooftop Sky Lounge also serves drinks as well as light fare, while the fine-dining La Cupola restaurant offers Italian and international fare. Room service is available as well. There is a meeting and conference room with inexpensive ballroom chairs and pull-down screens. And Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The front desk is staffed 24/7 and includes a concierge, a car rental desk, and luggage storage. For a fee, there is laundry service, babysitting, and transfers to the airport. Hotel guests get free entry to Venice Casino. Pets are not allowed.