Inviting boutique property with panoramic views of San Marco
Set in popular San Marco District, near Saint Mark’s Square
Pleasant rooms have traditional furnishings
Satellite TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning come standard
Cozy breakfast room and rooftop terrace open for breakfast
Free tours of glassworks in San Marco and Murano
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Discounts for concert tickets and parking
Bathrooms need updating and modernizing
Hotel lacks a full-service restaurant
No elevator to any floors, just a staircase
The Hotel San Gallo is a quaint two-and-a-half pearl boutique property in the heart of San Marco, just a one-minute walk from Saint Mark’s Square. It has a slightly shabby terrace on the top floor for impressive views over Venice’s rooftops. There’s a traditional Venetian style throughout, with modest communal areas and 15 rooms that are simple and comfortable with eye-catching headboards, but a mostly homey style. Amenities include satellite TVs, minibars, telephones, and air-conditioning, as well as small desks and luggage racks. The charming breakfast room is open throughout the year, though guests prefer dining on the terrace during the warmer months. Rates are high, but that's the norm for the neighborhood. For a more luxurious stay in San Marco, consider Palazzo Paruta.
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Scene
Traditional, welcoming hotel with a rooftop terrace and panoramic views of San Marco
The entrance to the historic San Gallo Hotel is so nondescript that guests usually pass it by when trying to find the front door. Nothing more than a small sign signifies the hotel, and it’s dwarfed by the neighboring San Gallo Theater. In contrast to the hotel's central San Marco setting, the design throughout is informal and relaxed, and just like the exterior, completely unobtrusive. Nods to its history include the wooden beams in the lobby and breakfast room, as well as the traditional tiled floor that spans these two spaces. The lobby is small but hugely welcoming, with fresh flowers on the tables and comfortable seating. Though, most guests tend to shun these areas in favor of sightseeing in San Marco or sunning themselves on the terrace with its city vistas.
Location
Located in a historic square, just under a minute’s walk to Saint Mark’s Square
Hotel San Gallo sits in what’s considered one of the most desirable places to stay in Venice, in the historic San Marco District. Despite being so close to Venice’s major landmarks, the San Gallo Square, with its ancient well and historic buildings, is quiet and peaceful. The area has an interesting past as a place of refuge for pilgrims from the Holy Land, and today it feels like a welcome haven from the crowds of nearby Saint Mark’s Square. Of course, Saint Mark’s Square is one of the main attractions of staying at this hotel as it’s under a minute-walk away. From there, it takes another two minutes to get to St. Mark’s Basilica and the imposing Campanile. The much-photographed Doge’s Palace is a six-minute walk away and overlooks the lagoon. Rialto Bridge is a seven-minute walk from the hotel. It takes a slightly longer 12-minute walk to get to Peggy Guggenheim’s esteemed art collection. The Marco Polo Airport takes just under an hour to get to via a water bus to the central Piazzale Roma bus terminal, and then an airport shuttle from there.
Rooms
Simple and comfortable, with some modern amenities and clean bathrooms
The 15 rooms are typically Venetian, with the most impressive details being the cushioned headboards framed with dark-wood and the golden bed crowns which drape around the bed. Interiors consist of light-wood floors, unusual for Venice, and vintage furniture in dark hues, plus lighter pale blue wardrobes with ornate gold detailing. The mostly simple rooms get a shot of class from the chandeliers and fabric-lined walls. Beds are a little firm, though that’s not unusual for Venice. All rooms have at least one desk chair, while the larger Family Rooms add glamorous sofas which double as an extra bed. Amenities include satellite TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, telephones, air-conditioning, and wardrobes with safes. Spotless bathrooms look clean, but could use modernizing. Most rooms have showers with marble sinks, though there are a few bathtubs with overhead showers. Toiletries and hairdryers are included in all the bathrooms. Most rooms overlook picturesque neighboring rooftops.
Features
Breakfast buffet served in the charming breakfast room, tours of glassworks in Murano, and free Wi-Fi
This is a small hotel and the features are limited as a result. The breakfast room is well-liked by guests and a continental buffet is included in the rates. The buffet is served in the cozy breakfast room during the winter months and when it heats up guests can enjoy breakfast on the roof terrace. Opposite the hotel is one of the most well-known glassworks in Venice. The hotel arranges visits to this fully operational furnace free of charge, as well as free guided tours to one of the oldest glassworks in Murano. The hotel offers discounts on concert tickets, and discounts on parking at Garage San Marco at the Piazzale Roma bus terminal. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
