Venice is known to be a city in which you’re bound to get lost within minutes; although, that is also part of its beauty and charm. If, however, you’re travelling with a suitcase and/or you’re exploring in the late evening and want to get to your hotel, it can be a rather enormous challenge due to the unique layout of the city. If you’re thinking about visiting Venice and you’re worried about being in this situation, fear not as we at Trip101 have found a perfectly located hotel with the best price tag for you. Hotel Galleria, located at Sestiere Dorsoduro, next to the famous Accademia Bridge is the best place for guests who want a charming, intimidate and truly Venetian experience during their trip.
Embrace Venetian history by staying in an ancient building
Whilst Hotel Galleria is rated as a one-star hotel, this place will certainly make you query why and how this could be as this establishment is absolutely amazing. It should be noted that the hotel star ratings are usually established on the basis of certain amenities and offerings such as having a lift, a swimming pool, a dining restaurant, air-conditioning etc. and as Hotel Galleria does not have these, it is not given a higher rating. Let’s be honest though, if you’re staying in the ancient city of Venice, why would you want such modern elements like a lift or perhaps a swimming pool? Stay at the gorgeous and homely Hotel Galleria which is housed in a building that is over 600 years old and embrace this ancient city in the way it should be enjoyed. Appreciate the history that comes with the building and be inspired during your trip in Venice by staying here.
From the moment you enter Hotel Galleria, you will love the coziness of this hotel; it’s very small and consists of only one floor (above ground level) and has the most wonderful owners and staff that you can imagine. They want you to feel right at home in their hotel which was once a former home to notable Venetians. The staff are organized, warm and welcoming and will lead you through the small lobby area to your room, which has a special place in history. As you walk through the corridors, you will see the bookstand which has several sightseeing and historical books on Venice. You are allowed to borrow these for free during your trip so that you can connect with this special place on earth. You will also spot a a generous pile of Venetian biscuits and also a small refrigerator with water (still and sparkling) for your enjoyment during your trip; both are complimentary. Impressive right? Even before arriving to your room, you’re being showered with treats and necessities that one would not expect. You should also note that nothing is too much trouble for staff here; whether it be helping you up or down the flight of stairs with your luggage or and booking a private taxi for you at a good rate.
Rooms facing the Accademia Bridge and/or the Grand Canal
Hotel Galleria is a very small and special hotel and has only nine rooms available. The type of rooms vary contingent on how many travelers and whether you would prefer a larger room or not. For some of the rooms, you have to share a bathroom whereas others are ensuite. Most the rooms face either or both the Accademia Bridge or the Grand Canal. Having stayed in and seen the other rooms in this hotel, we can definitely recommend that each room has its own quaint and charming feel. The room that is featured in this picture is a large double room facing the grand canal and is room number eight. It is one of the most popular rooms due to its arched window which allows guests to look onto the Grand Canal.
As you can see, the room’s décor is in a traditional Venetian style and is very romantic. The walls are thin, which is expected due to the age of the building, so you may hear your neighbors a little bit. You will also hear a few squeaks and creeks as you move around the hotel but again this is because it is in a very old and unique building. As the hotel is located in a slightly quieter part of the city, in comparison to San Marco, you won’t hear too much noise from the street. The bed is very comfortable and you will definitely have a restful sleep here. The cleanliness of the bedroom and bathroom is very good. The shower pressure is average and the hairdryer is functional. There are electrical outlets in the rooms but the amount of them varies contingent on the room. All of the rooms have a fan.
Sensational views of this stunning ancient city
What we really love about the rooms at Hotel Galleria is that by staying here, you save money from sitting in expensive restaurants that overlook the Grand Canal, as you can do it from your room. Directly opposite the hotel is the stunning Palazzo Franchetti. The views are postcard perfect. Watch the water buses, private taxis and gondolas pass by from the comfort of your place of rest. When you’re ready to hop on any of these, you can reach them within a minute or two from the hotel. The hotel’s location has to be considered to be one of the best in the cities. It’s very easy to reach whether you’re coming from the airport or from a day of exploring this ancient city. The Accademia Bridge is only one of four bridges in Venice that crosses the Grand Canal, which also means that you can do your sightseeing on each side of the canal more easily.
As mentioned above, Venice is known for being a city in which tourists can get quite easily lost, so it is important to have a hotel which you can find quickly when you’re jet lagged or shattered from sightseeing and Hotel Galleria allows you to do exactly that. If you’re exploring the city by foot, you will be able to follow one of the many bright yellow signs on the side of buildings which indicate which way to go to get to, “Accademia”. You need to follow these signs as they will lead you to the Accademia Bridge which is on the side of the hotel. If you’re cruising on a water bus or private taxi, the drop off and/or collection point is the “Accademia” stop for water transportation which again is right next to the hotel.
Absolutely scrumptious in-room breakfast service
When you book a stay at Hotel Galleria, it includes a scrumptious breakfast that is served to you in your room. The breakfast is delivered on a large silver tray at your chosen time between 8.00am - 9.30am. The breakfast is a continental extravaganza and includes freshly baked and fluffy croissants (with an apricot jam filling) and warm rolls. It also consists of a packet of two French toasts and two yoghurts. You are provided with butter and the following preserves: Nutella, apricot jam, strawberry jam and honey. The yoghurt flavors vary each day and include banana, apricot and berry. To drink, you are given orange juice and a hot drink, whether it be tea or coffee. The breakfast is heavenly and a really lovely touch which sets you up for a day of exploring!
Just as a point to note, when you leave the hotel in the daytime, you should leave your room key with reception so that they can ensure that the cleaning staff tidy your room. If you’re going to be returning late to the hotel (such as past 11.00pm), you should also let them know in advance as they have two doors for security purposes and one door may be closed and you may need a security code to enter it so that you can then press a buzzer which will notify the reception that you’re downstairs (and they will subsequently allow access into the hotel).
Venice Tour Guide
![[deTour]ist](http://static.trip101.com/local_experts/avatars/000/000/301/medium/profilo_bovolo.jpg?1701113074)
[De Tour]Ist
Born and raised in Venice, I ventured far and wide, getting 'germanised' in Bochum and Göttingen, absorbing the post-Olympic vibrance in Turin, getting drunk in the worst bars in Moscow, tracing the historic Silk Road in Central Asia, indulging in Berlin's pulsating club scene, and engaging in the corporate world as a manager in the construction equipment industry across Africa and the Middle East. Back in Venice since 2018, I'm currently pursuing a second degree in Art History, sharing the city's rich heritage with a passion. With over 1000 full-star reviews, my aim is to ensure every visitor experiences the enchanting magic and timeless charm of Venice. Today, I am a tour guide in Venice and I'm excited to share my profound love for this city, commitment to sustainable tourism, and insider tips as a local guide. Let me unveil hidden gems and guide you through unique experiences that leave an indelible mark!
Tours by [detour]ist
Hotel Galleria is recommended wholeheartedly
We are so glad that we discovered and stayed at Hotel Galleria because not staying here would be a big mistake on our part! This place is conveniently close to everything but an inch away from the noisy tourist spots, which means you get to live like a true Venetian during your stay at this special guest house which is full of character and history. We recommend this destination wholeheartedly and know where we will be staying on our next vacation, will you be joining us? Book a room fast as there are only nine spectacular rooms available at the fabulous Hotel Galleria. We can’t wait to see you there!
History
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