Just back from first time visit (7days) to Venice staying at Al Canal Regio. Glad we didn't read reviews before we went! In the cold, wet light of a Scottish day, the "Regio" is a warm and very positive memory! Seemed more like managed/rented rooms than a hotel - but that's all we were looking for. The word "Hotel" does raise expectations as did prices booked with Agoda. Anyway, the pluses were many and varied - despite bus/vaporetto strike we arrived on time (had added 1.5 hours to estimate) to a friendly welcome, and a clean and modern room and bathroom (Standard Double). No separate shower cabinet/curtain so hard to keep floor dry!Glad we arrived in daylight - not easy for "first timers" to arrive in dark despite every instruction you would/should need. Decided to breakfast out of hotel every morning (9euros for 2-a good deal) but a kettle in room would have been much appreciated. Every day, on our return, room had been tidied and towels replaced. Security system explained on arrival and worked perfectly well for late returns but we did NOT leave key at open/usually unattended reception for obvious reasons. Used safe for passports, tickets, etc. Bed was clean, cosy and comfortable (changed half way through holiday).Couldn't find Scottish-speaking TV channels but after first day, we didn't care! Situation was great for bars & restaurants, but fabulous for sight-seeing and just wandering about. Venice and the islands of the Lagoon are mind-blowing, the weather was great, the people are friendly, the food and drink second to none. What more can you ask? And the Al Canal Regio played its positive part in a wonderful 7 days. Thanks.

We have just stayed at this hotel and cannot believe the bad reviews we read, neither could several others staying there at the same time. This hotel is good value for money. The standard is excellent for this type of hotel, and comparable to other hotels I have stayed at in Italy. The photos do do justice to the hotel. The staff were excellent, very friendly and helpful, both on the phone before we arrived and for our entire stay of five days. Although the water heating broke, they tried everything to get it repaired, but this is Italy, and Venice, and they could not get a plumber to come out on a Sunday, this is usual for Italy, and for such things they need to be treated as part of the 'adventure' and do not blame the hotel.

The so called 'alley' on other comments is a Venitian street, it is small, but you have come to Venice, and are in a residential area. The hotel is excellent for being quiet, away from the crowds of tourists, off the main street, but close to the water bus stop for easy access or for walking to main sites.

The hotel is wheelchair accessible, but does not have any special adaptations, so if you can weight bare this is a very good option. Although a lot of Venice will be difficult there are accessible options and ramped bridges in some parts. Some bridges do have platform lifts for wheelchairs, but we did not find one that worked. There is one 'assisted' bridge between the hotel and the water bus at Ca d'Oro I was able to get over this both in a powered wheelchair and being pushed, with very little difficulty. For others with mobility difficulties a ground floor room here is an excellent option. We did opt, despite the expense, to have a water taxi to get from the train station as we did not know where things were, or the accessibility (I recomend Flavio in taxi 21) but got the water bus back with no problem. All water buses are accessible, but be prepared for them to be very crowded. All the bus staff help you get on and off and were in the main great.

The breakfast was very good and an Italian continental breakfast there was enough and the staff replenished if things ran out. Near by there are several excellent restaurants and I recomend Osteria Al Osti as accessible and apart from teh one before mentioned bridge no steps to get to. Very very good quality food and prices very very reasonable for Venice, a pasta dish with fresh sea food costs about 12 euros. Luigi is teh fantastic waiter and be prepared for a laugh.

I would stringly recommend this hotel to people, but do adivse to remember this is Italy life goes at a different pace. Star ratings do not mean the same as other places. I understand looking at the bad comments they were mostly from last minute bookers, remember in Europe if you book at the last minute you will usually get a small room in the attic if you want the access you need to book as early as possible with the hotel or booking.com etc

Just came back form Italy. Stay at this property ruined our impression about Venice. We paid a lot of money. The walls of the room were dirty, bathroom handle was broken. Bathroom smelled pretty bad. Small window was under the sidewalk. Practically room was located underground. The room furniture was wery cheap- Wallmart type.There is no clerk on duty after 6 p.m.
Front office clerk-Marco was very unfriendly. He denied all our complaints. When I mentioned that his behavior is unnacceptable, he said that he is paying back to my unfriendly complaints. I travelled a lot. Very disappointing. Do not ruin your vacation. Stay away from this property.

This hotel really does seems to be 'hit or miss' - having read the views before we booked we hoped it would be a positive experience unfortunately it was a 'miss'! Shame, as Venice really is a once in a lifetime place to visit and wanted it to be amazing. We booked a superior room, on the hotel website this was described as including every amenity, superior courtesy kit and chocolate candy in the evening. We arrived late and it wasn't until the morning we realised some of the amenities were missing. In our experience a standard room just turns into a superior by adding a kettle and a shower cap. All amenities didn't include :- kettle, minibar, bathrobe or chocolates.

Top tips, Venice is very expensive but move away from the crowds and prices drop, lovely local cafe on a Sunday morning is 'the Dodo cafe'. Wear comfortable shoes, eat in Cannaregio and take a Gondola trip away from the Grand Canal. If you are pushing the boat out arrive in style on a water taxi - it's a perfect start to your time in Venice.