I went with my partner between 17 and 20 December 2009 for our last holiday before we have a baby as my wife is pregnant. We had heard that Venice was a romantic place but were not expecting too much. The prices of all the hotels seemed high and the website for AD place convinced my wife to choose it.
The instructions to the hotel were brilliant and we chose to take the AVTO direct bus from the airport Marco Polo to Piazzale Roma and then a public ACTV steamboat No1 to the stop of Giglio from which the hotel is a 2 min walk. This was the cheapest way and not too difficult. Total cost 9.5 euro each
Venice is an extremely beautiful place and took our breath away. The views from the Grand Canal make you feel in awe of the place.
Please ensure if you travel in winter to wrap up warm, take hats that cover your ears, do not forget your scarf and take wellies. Venice is land locked and the tide goes in and out. You will see the walkways flooded in the morning but not to worry they will clear by 12.
The hotel is a boutique hotel with a lot of class. You will not be disappointed. There is no lift but you will get help to your room with the bags.
The staff are excellent. The manager Allesandro is so helpful and always has a smile on his face. He will assist you with anything. I am a Muslim and he helped me with directions to a mosque for Friday prayer (steamboat to Piazzale Roma and the a no 6/ bus to Panorama, get off, take a left and follow the crowd). His right hand man Endo who serves breakfast also was good with the banter and assistance with anything. The night manager Kamal also did a stand up professional and friendly job. He served tea, recommended restaurants and places to go out. We at no point could complain with the service or facilities at this hotel.
We had a superior room (the purple picture) on the same floor as the breakfast area. There was a view of the canal where the people were dropped off at the Opera House for the show and we could hear the music. The decor was a flat screen TV, iPod dock and velvet covered everything else. It felt like the room was in a palace and my wife felt like a queen for those 4 days. There was even a fresh rose on a holder in the mirror and fresh fruit laid out on arrival. We were offered champagne but refused as we do not drink. The room was cleaned properly sometimes twice a day and toiletries were a plenty.
Anything you want is served quickly and efficiently. We were served tea with different cakes and biscuits every day in our room at about 5.30pm and the fare was of the highest standard. Breakfast was continental with eggs also on offer. At each stage in respect of food you could not fault the quality as everything was fresh and they had tea bags from Scotland. On one night we were served fresh blueberries, raspberries, satsumas on a plate surrounded by flowers.
In terms of sightseeing I suggest you do not buy the day pass for the steam boat as you will not need it. You can walk everywhere with St Marks Square 5 minutes from the hotel and Rialto (famous bridge) just a bit more. The walks are enchanting (signposted well) as the streets are narrow with little bridges covering the canals everywhere and beautiful architecture at every turn. You must get a hotel near to the square otherwise you will regret it.
We did not have much time so on one day saw the Doge palace, St Mark's church and museums which were all included in the 12 euro ticket. On the other days we relaxed, went for a gondola ride (you have to go on one in Venice) and went to the included glass factory tour. Please bear in mind the glass factory pays for your water taxi there and then you have to make your own way back. The items at the glass factory are very expensive and the sales people are pushy so look out. one evening we saw a concert with 7 violins which warmed the heart on a frosty evening.
Venice was better than I expected. It is rich not only in the way it looks but also the delicious food. We concentrated on Pizzas and pastas of which there are plenty. Food is not cheap and expect for 2 to pay 30-40 euro for each meal at least and that’s without alcohol. I can highly recommend the Rosa Rossa restaurant which is quite close to the hotel where I had an exquisite seafood risotto which the chef made to my specification. The atmosphere was delightful as was the quality.
All in all a brilliant trip made all the more better by one of the best hotels we have stayed at and we have stayed at a lot. I was not surprised that it is so high on the popularity index. You get what you pay for and I felt we got more than what we paid for which is a refreshing surprise.
We thank all the staff at the hotel for a memorable stay and hope to return.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC