Rialto Hotel

We went to Venice for Carnevale in 2000. Fantastic time, masked ball and all. Fun from the spectacular opening festival. Masks, glittering costumes, wandering musicians, decorated houses, theme decorations in squares, dancing in the square, masses of people enjoying themselves. We had a suite at the Hotel Rialto, our second time at the hotel, for 12 days. We think it is the best-located hotel in the whole city. Why? * When one returns, footsore, to the hotel one simply opens the shutters and looks onto the Grand Canal, a few metres away. We liken this to watching the curtains go back in a live theatre, revealing the wonderful, colourful, bustling theatre that is Venice day and night. * We looked onto the breathtakingly beautiful Rialto Bridge. * When people packed the bridge and surrounds for colourful boat races on the Grand Canal, we could sit at our windows in comfort, sipping a gin and tonic, taking it all in. * The Rialto ferry stop is at the hotel door, making it easy to get around by water. * The produce markets are just across the Rialto Bridge. They are a mini-theatre in themselves. * Shops, restaurants, post office all close by. * We think the Rialto area has more to offer than the San Marco area. * The room was well-appointeda and featured a canopied bed. * The Rialto is not cheap but worth the money. We found it difficult to book well ahead until we found a travel agent who can speak fluent Italian and knows Italy like the back of his hand. He rang them and even negotiated a 20% discount, goodness knows how. * If the suite with the balcony is not available, ask for a room 'view Grand Canal'. The hotel has a web site.

Can't understand why they only have three stars. It was lovely all round. Buffet breakfast included, but you could order cooked food for an extra charge. Lots of space in the room, made up every day. I have just come back from taking my elderly mother to Venice and it was perfect. I did a lot of research beforehand and decided we needed a hotel near a waterbus stop and that was easy to find. Mum can't walk too far, and does not cope with steps very well (why did she choose Venice?!!) and the Rialto fitted our requirements exactly. I also ordered a room with bathtub, as Mum can't stand safely in a shower, and then I found out they had a lift so that was just ideal. Staff were always courteous and would answer any query with infinite patience. For the price of a standard room I was not expecting a canal view, but we had a perfect view of the bridge. Mum was delighted, and she couldn't hear the noise from the canal traffic, which didn't keep me awake either, as my head hit the pillow and I was out like a light (not normal for me!) Just lovely.

Hotel Rialto promised a "lovely grand canal view" for $450.00 USD so we thought we'd splurge. The room was on the first floor directly above a cafe and the water bus stop. The only view was of the roof for the bus stop. When we complained to management, they said the manager would contact us - that never happened. When I wrote a letter to management expressing my displeasure after our stay - the hotel did not reply. When we were checking into the hotel, the walk up rate for a grand canal room was only 285 EU not the $450 US you pay to reserve the very same room. Even at 285 EU I would not reccomend this hotel. Hotel Rialto was a complete dissappointment and I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. There are far cheaper lodgings with much better views.

We spent 4 days at the Rialto Hotel in September 2004 for our 30th wedding anniversary and we were pleasantly surprised after having worrying reports. The staff were very helpful, particularly the porters who were most pleasant. Our room was spotlessly clean and neat. We were lucky enough to have a large balcony room overlooking the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge - wonderful location but be warned - it is not peaceful. The water bus stops at the stop all through the night! However it was fascinating to sit on the balcony of an evening with a glass of wine and watch the world go by. Breakfast was disappointing - not enough fresh fruit - very surprising as the market was just around the corner. We found eating out in Venice very expensive and a little difficult as we don't eat meat. We got by at lunchtime by buying wonderful fruit and veg from the Rialto Market, bread from the local bakers and wine from the wine merchant on the other side of the canal. Very sad to see people throwing their rubbish in the canal and, unfortunately, the biggest perpetrators seemed to be the locals.

Hotel Rialto was a pleasant surprise after a horrid stay at Hotel Athena in Siena. This 3 star hotel definitely receives more stars. The location was right next to Rialto bridge, which you could see from the hotel terrace (which is almost always empty) with the ferry stop just right in front so you don't need to lug your suitcases around through narrow winding roads. The staff were very friendly and helpful, always with a smile when you arrive or leave and the hotel has its own restaurant which serves great gelato (or gelati in plural form). This hotel only complemented the amazing time we had in Venice and rounded up our beautiful honeymoon through Italy. I can't recommend this hotel enough.

My family of five stayed at the Rialto for three nights in July of 2002. The hotel is a warren of corridors and rooms spread out through several connecting buildings, sometimes a bit of a walk, but not unpleasant. We took two rooms, not connecting, which were small but elegant in a Venetian way, with bright colors, crystal chandeliers, and marble baths. Breakfast was about average for an Italian hotel, but the location of the hotel is superb, right at the Rialto bridge and within walking distance of most sights. It's on the Grand Canal, and a water taxi stops right outside the front door. The price was quite affordable for Venice. As beautiful and evocative as Venice is, it would take a very bad hotel indeed to ruin the experience. The Rialto won't ruin it for you.

In a good location next to St Marks Square and overlooking the Grand Canal. Room was basic and hotel staff were surprisingly helpful. Breakfast was satisfactory and there is a cheap pizzeria next door. If i were to visit Venice again (which is highly unlikely), i would return to this hotel.

There's no question that the hotel is in a great location, but it just wasn't worth the money. Venice is really not that big, and the location is not so crucial. The hotel is only 2 stops from the train station by waterbus, although they charge 8.5 euro for you and your luggage. If you are backpacking and don't mind the walk, you can walk to the hotel in about 25 minutes. My friend an myself paid 220 euro per night for a room that we thought was just not nice enough (even when compared to the other 4 hotels in Italy that we used along the way). The hotel itself is cramped, and we had to walk up 70 steps to our room on the third floor. Once the chest pain subsided, we entered our little pink room to find 2 small beds, mini fridge, small television, tiny safe, phone, private bathroom with shower, and central air conditioning. The window opened directly into the side of a lovely brown brick wall, with pigeon dung everywhere. We were sufficiently unimpressed by this hotel, that we checked out early and moved down the street to another hotel with much nicer finishes, better bathroom, and a courtyard view for 120 euro per night (Hotel La Forcola). If you enjoy walking, your best bet would be to get a hotel closer to the train station where they are much cheaper for better value, and you also save on the 8.5 euro waterbus per person each way. If money is not an issue, then perhaps the Rialto rooms with a view of the canal would be okay.

Just returned from a 4-day stay at the Rialto. Very pleased with the Hotel and staff. We were up 3 flights of stairs, but thats not unusual in Venice. Room was compact and clean with TV and modest Mini Bar. No tea or coffee making facilities though. Best thing about the Hotel is location, we walked to Ghetto, Piazza Roma, Rialto markets, San Marco all within comfortable distance. We did buy a 3 day vaporetto pass for euro 22 and used it extensively for trips to murano, or getting around when we were tired or just fancied a boat ride. Best for getting from Marco Polo to Venice, ATVO (blue Bus) from terminal to Piazza Roma, Euro 3 20 mins direct. Word of warning, dont eat at Ristorante al Colombo, just along from the Rialto. Apparantly famed for its association with artists, it charges extortionate prices for very average food. I dont mind paying for good food, but I begrudged having to pay for the dross this place served up. As a guide, for a meal for two with wine dont expect change from Euro 250. You expect to pay that price (if not less) in a top hotel restaurant, such as cip's in the Cipriani Hotel but at least the food is good! Would recommend Antica Trattoria Poste Vecia near the Rialto fish market (Euro 45pp), and Trattoria Madonna (Euro 30) for a less glamorous but still very good meal, opposite bank to the Rialto hotel down a small alley. Oh, and Harry's bar.....dont bother!

We stayed at the Hotel Rialto at the end of April 2004 and had a room overlooking the Grand Canal. We absolutely loved the view and the staff were all very friendly. We were slightly concerned about speaking no Italian but all the staff spoke very good English, as did most people in cafes/restaurants/etc in Venice. We flew to Marco Polo airport and picked up a bus from right outside (no 5) to the bus station. This is one of the main water bus stops where you can take a no 82 or 1 which will drop you right outside the Rialto Hotel. (It is about 45 mins from the airport to the hotel). We found this much easier than we were expecting. If you are staying in Venice for a few days make sure you buy a travel pass from the Tourist Information inside the terminal before getting the bus as this will allow you unlimited use on the buses and water buses. As well as the water bus stop right outside the hotel (they are very easy to use but my advice would be to have a map before you go, available in some travel guides) it is only a few minutes walk (maybe 10 mins depending on how quickly you walk) to St Marks Square. None of the main sights were more than about 30 mins walk from the Railto but in those cases you could always use the water bus.