Santa Chiara Hotel

Santa Chiara Hotel is situated in a four-story, 500-year-old former convent that faces the Grand Canal. This historic Venetian hotel has recently constructed a modern annex building in white marble that stands out amongst the traditional Venetian architecture. The modern elegance of the new building is in complete contrast with the history and character of the original one, and allows guests to choose in which they would prefer to stay, though the look in rooms is the same throughout. The hotel's lobby, in the old part of the building, is full of charm and interesting details. There are pieces of antique furniture, checked travertine marble flooring, cozy armchairs around coffee tables, and a low-beamed ceiling. The hotel attracts an international clientele of both tourists and business travelers, giving the property a vibrant and cosmopolitan feel. It also welcomes children and those traveling with pets. 

The hotel is located in the Santa Croce district of Venice, in Piazzale Roma across the Grand Canal from the train station. The area is busy with commuters, students, and tourists, and isn't exactly the most glamorous Venice location. The Grand Canal is busy day and night with boats sailing past, though tranquil Papadopoli Gardens are just next door. A handful of Venice's historic sights are within walking distance, including Basilica dei Frari, which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, but the main sights of the city are not nearby. It’s a 20-minute walk or vaporetto ride to the Rialto Bridge, and around a half hour to St. Mark's Square. Most people who stay here do so for the convenient transportation links. The hotel is next to the ferry and bus terminals, and within a few minutes' walk of the Venezia Santa Lucia Train Station. It is also the only area of Venice’s historic center that can be reached by car, and private underground parking is available on-site -- a rarity in Venice. Venice Marco Polo Airport can be reached by bus in under a half hour.

The hotel’s 55 guest rooms are split across the two buildings, and those in the original part of the hotel are only slightly different from those in the new annex. Guests can choose which they prefer. In all rooms, the main body of the guest room is a sharp take on classic looks, with colorful printed fabrics and wallpaper, bold accent walls, vintage furniture, and accents including tufted headboards. The older rooms have charm and character, with variable features like  low ceilings and wooden beams, wooden flooring, Murano glass chandeliers, and slightly dated bathrooms. Rooms in the new building offers chic, contemporary bathrooms that have sleek gray tiling and rainfall showerheads. Views from the original building are of the Grand Canal, the side canal of Rio Nuovo, the gardens, or the Piazzale. Those in the annex look out onto a courtyard. All rooms include safes, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, desks, minibars, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. They are well soundproofed but due to the proximity to the transport terminals, some noise still filters through. Keep in mind that Single Rooms can be quite cramped.

The hotel’s light and airy breakfast room has a marble floor and a mirrored ceiling. A daily continental breakfast is included in the rates for some rooms and has a good choice of fresh fruit, yogurts, cereals, cakes, croissants, meats, and cheeses. There is also a cozy bar which serves a range of drinks and has views over the Grand Canal. There’s a guest lounge with comfortable seating and canal views as well. Free newspapers are provided in the lobby and Wi-Fi is also free. On-site underground parking is available for a fee. The hotel has some good facilities for business guests, as there's a meeting room and conference room available for use.