Ai Due Fanali - Venice, Italy 

Loved it!
Posted: Fri, Feb 15 2008
Thought it had a "real Venice" feel to it: not glitzy, not a chain hotel, but unique, full of character and charm, clean, with nice touches and a professional staff. It's less than a 5 minute walk from the train station or bus square, which was very convenient for our coming and going: no need to haul our bags onto the water bus, just walked on over. Our room was quite small, but decent. Not fancy, but clean, neat and not a dive by any stretch. Bed linens and towels were very good quality. Bathroom was very small, but clean and water pressure was good. Staff spoke very good English and the lobby was quite nice. It was quiet, our room had a (small) view of the canal and I absolutely loved the top floor restaurant for breakfast: great view, great service, fantastic coffee and a very nice breakfast indeed. Loved walking from this more quiet area every day, through the gorgeous windy alleys, to the touristy areas, then retreating at the end of the day. Was only a 20 minute walk or so to St. Mark's square. Would defintely return!

Could've been cooler ...
Posted: Wed, Aug 09 2006
I stayed here with my girlfriend and elderly mother. It's very close to the train station, yet pleasantly outside the touristy hubbub. We enjoyed being away from the traps of Piazza San Marco. The elevator was a reasonable size for a European hotel, the rooftop breakfast deck offers great views, the bathrooms were nice and well-appointed, and the ceilings of the rooms were lovely wooden beams. Our one issue was the air-conditioning. They have it set about 6-8 degrees warmer than most people would set it for the summer, we figured. So we weren't opressed, but we found it ... well, more conservation-minded than we usually are on vacation. It was our one complaint, but one to consider if you're going in the summer, as we did.

Amazing ceilings and bedheads!
Posted: Sun, Aug 06 2006
If you want a city break then choose the small but exquisite hotel, the Ai de Fanali in Venice. Situated just off the Grand Canal close to the Scalzi Bridge is the most perfect little hotel. Originally a monastic school (and attached to a 'working' church that rings the tower bell at 7.30 every morning!) the Ai de Fanali is nothing short of fantastic. If you want a corporate brand type of hotel with standard sized rooms, you will hate it. If you want character and quality Venetian surroundings, excellent facilities, wonderful staff and the most superb view at breakfast, then you will love it. Can't recommend it enough. Definately going back.