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Hotel San Marco in Venice - a real gem

by Charlotte
(Leeds)

Finding a decent hotel in Venice isn't exactly a difficult task; after all, this is a city which attracts the rich and famous from across the world all year round and is also a favourite honeymoon destination with couples of all ages.

However, although there certainly is a wide range of nice hotels on offer, one option that you should certainly consider is the Hotel San Marco.

After spending three nights in this hotel earlier this year, I can say with confidence that you will be guaranteed a warm welcome at this establishment, which boasts the honour of being the closest hotel you can find to the famous St. Mark's Square.

Some hotels in Venice can feel a little impersonal and unwelcoming but that genuinely isn't the case here. It's a 3 star hotel, so perhaps not the most luxurious choice you could find in the city, but you wouldn't know that to look at the place.

The hotel is a restored 19th century palace and combines modern amenities with the grandeur of a bygone era. It really is located just a matter of steps away from St. Mark's Square, so a stay here can truly make you feel like you've gone back in time by a couple of hundred years (but in a good way; you're not offered porridge and scraps for breakfast and dinner!)

Of course you'll want to escape the confines of your hotel whilst staying in a city that offers so much for food lovers, but the restaurant does have a pretty decent restaurant. We tried it out for dinner on our first night after arriving fairly late and the range of Venetian specialities on offer at acceptable prices was quite impressive. The cocktails on offer in the bar were also especially welcome after a hard day's sightseeing!

The hotel can also arrange special guided tours that will ensure you see all the sights of the city, which can seem like an unapproachable labyrinth to first-time visitors. Excursions can also be arranged with the hotel, which is handy as it saves you the time and hassle of tracking down a reliable tour operator in the city.

If you're planning on booking a longer trip in Italy, combine a trip to Venice with the architectural splendour of Florence and Rome. If you do decide to do this, make sure you book your accommodation early as hotels in Rome get full very quickly.