staff were extremely friendly and helpful, ie; we didn't arrive at the hotel until 11:30pm however, staff were very willing to prepare us a sandwich and a drink although the restaurant had been closed for the evening.
Room was very comfortable and clean, and although our room was at the front of the hotel and close to main road, it was relatively quiet as there were electric shutters on the windows which helped to eliminate the noise.
Although the hotel was some distance from Venice it was relatively easy to catch either the train or bus into Venice, you also have the benefit of being able to visit Padua which is a lovely historic town with the oldest Botanic gardens which is worth a visit.

We spent three nights at the Biri and it would be true to say it could have spoilt our time in Padova had we let it. First it gives the impression of being in a good location. It is not. Our observations and experience indicate it is in an area rife with beggars and prostitutes, and, we were informed by local residents, an area known for drug dealing. It is up to an hours walk from anywhere of interest - something not to be undertaken lightly in the temperatures we experienced. There is a bus service close by which runs every fifteen minutes or so. This is always standing room only from the stop close to the hotel, when it arrives. The service also ceased at around 9 pm meaning taxis had to be used after this time. This had the benefit of dropping us at the door rather than walking in the locality after dark.
With regard to the hotel itself some aspects of its own publicity are correct. There is a view from the terrace - it is of cranes on distant building sights. The rooms are fine but the photos show a room with wicker chairs and a table. We had neither wicker chairs nor a table, instead we had cheap plastic ones. As has been mentioned by another reviewer the reception staff were not helpful or welcoming they were simply supercilious. Those we spoke to had, it seems, little local knowledge and could only tell us no more than where the bus stop was. When we had a problem with the restaurant being taken over for a group booking, thus denying residents access to the restaurant, they were not at all helpful and were happy to see us go back into town to find somewhere to eat.
In one respect we found a positive in that the staff who serviced the breakfast room were energetic, enthusiastic and cheerful. Breakfast itself was ok.

The hotel is somewhat out of the centre. It's a 40 minute walk to the city centre and the neighbourhood isn't that okay. I wouldn't stroll there at night. However taxi's are reletively cheap in Padova and the hotel is good. Nice, well-kept rooms and rather spacey.Nice little balcony. Bonus is SKY-tv in your room, which allows you to view 500+ international TV channels. Breakfast is okay and the restaurant has good reviews from local businessman. This hotel is a good option for businesspeople and visitors who want to be near Venice. It's only 25 minutes with the train to Venice.

I have stayed at this hotel a few times before so i was little surprised that when I wanted to move my booking back a week as i could not get to Italy due to the Icelandic Volcano they refused and charged me for the two nights that I was not there for. If I had wanted a refund I could possible understand but I just wanted to move it back a week. I am totally disgusted and will never use this hotel or chain again.