Carlton Executive Hotel

The attitude of the staff was terrible. My group included my wife, two daughters in their early 20s and their boyfriends. We had three rooms. The staff was not helpful in giving us directions and would only give us one map even though we told them we were going in different directions. The air conditioning didn't work the first two days. We had to leave our windows open at night because of the heat. Three of us had many mosquito bites. It took five calls to the front desk to finally be allowed to talk to the supervisor. When I did, he suggested I send him a letter in writing expressing my concerns. Needless to say, none of my group will ever go back.

We stayed at this hotel on May 19, 2004. The room was very clean and the room we were given was to the rear of the hotel without a water view. Due to the fact that the room faced the rear of the hotel it was very quiet and we were not disturbed by any of the heavy boat traffic out front. (Even though a canal view room would be nice, I don't think anyone comes to Venice to sit in a room an look out a window. Opt for a rear room for the quiet and get out to experience Venice on foot or by boat.) The train station is directly across the canal from the hotel and is only a 2 minute walk over one bridge to arrive. (If you have more than one bag, however, the trek over this very large, high bridge may be a burden to some older or handicapped visitors.) The staff at the hotel who speak English were very helpful, polite and professional. The breakfast included with the rate was vaired enough to get you and your party fueled up for a full day of walking and siteseeing around town. Although about a half hour to 45 minute walk to St. Marks Square, the trek through the alleyways and shopping areas added to the experience of Venice and made the arrival at the square just right to sit and enjoy a coffee and people watch. We were able to have a water taxi come to the hotel boat dock 5 steps from the front doors of the hotel in front and take us directly to the Marco Polo Airport for about 80 Euro total for 4 people and bags. Although expensive, a motor car was about 50 Euro for 2 people and bags. This was very convienient as it drops you off just steps from the airport terminal.

We stayed 4 nights here in the last leg of our Italian honeymoon in Sept. 2001. We mainly picked this hotel for its proximity to the train station. Very easy walk. It is also very close to the bus station that takes you to the airport. It's on the Grand Canal, but has a view of the train station, so probably not worth it to pay extra for a canal veiw room (too noisy). Our room overlooked a pretty outdoor courtyard that was very quiet. The room had AC, but it was cool enough that we didn't need it. Unfortunately, the maid that cleaned our room kept leaving the windows open in our room. Since there were no screens, mosquitos would hide in our room and come out at night while we were asleep (they would buzz in our ears and then bite us). That's was probably the only negative about this hotel, but I guess it could happen anywhere in Venice since the whole place is surrounded by water and mosquitos love it. The buffet breakfast was excellent (so is the coffee, like most coffee in Italy). Breakfast is included in the rate. The bathroom was large, but as someone commented before, water would come out of the shower onto the bathroom floor, because the shower curtain doesn't reach around the entire tub. The hotel paid for us to have a free water taxi ride to the island of Murano, where they make all that beautiful Venetian glass. They took us to a glass blowing factory where they showed us someone making glass, then they took us to their showroom with VERY expensive pieces. The pieces were gorgeous and they were trying the hard sell on us (that's why you get the free water taxi ride). We told them we wanted to have lunch and "think about it" and got the hell out of there. We went to some much cheaper shops and bought some nice stuff. Then, we took a public water bus back to Venice (only a couple of bucks). A word of advice on Murano glass--unless you're looking for something spectacular, the best deals are in those stands around the Rialto bridge (actually cheaper than Murano). Back to the hotel--be sure to take the public water bus down the Grand Canal--it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL and the way Venice was meant to be seen. We LOVED Venice--one of the most romantic places in the world. This hotel was a good base for us. We might try someplace different next time we go just to go some place different (we hope to return for our 5-yr. anniversary).

Location and good breakfast are what you pay for here. Room very small, cramped. Store bags under the sink! Nice size bath compared to others. Stay up late and watch the traffic. Being on the canal was great.

We just returned from our 10 year anniversary trip to Venice 3/25/04. We picked the Carlton and Grand Hotel based on other reviews at trip advisor. Everything was excellent. The location is quiet, but close to everything. We had the most fun wandering from the hotel to sites in the city. When we got tired of walking, we rode the ACTV (public ferry) to across the canal from the hotel (Ferrovia). The hotel staff was courteous and helpful. Our best dinner was recommended by the desk clerk. This was a great vacation and we will have great memories. I'm glad we found trip advisor and used others reviews to help make our decision. Thanks!

First of all I'd like to comment on the other reviewers stating how getting to "st. mark's square" was a long water taxi ride. This is not true. THERE ARE NO CARS IN VENICE! You must walk or take a water taxi/bus everywhere. ANd this is a beautiful thing. Every nook and crannie of Venice is picturesque. From the moment you walk outside of the train station, to the moment you get lost on some crazy side street with bridges surrounding you, to the moment you realize you've been here before, then finally you get back to your hotel room, VENICE IS BEAUTIFUL! And the hotel Carlton and grand canal is in a perfect location. You walk out of the train station, cross the bridge slightly to your left, go to your right for not even a block and you're there! Nearby there is an Ostoria, *a fancy italian restaurant with excellent food* and also there is *pizza Way* an awesome and very cheap pizza place with all kinds of diffent pizza. THe hotel room was kind of small but enough room to do anything you need to do. The bathroom was spacious and clean with enough room for two people in the tub. We had windows that opened which came in handy to "cool off" the room. The mini bar was too expensive and we didn't bother with it. But you can always shop outside and bring whatever you'd like in. The bar downstairs had an excellent supply of liquor and was not overpriced. The hotel staff was extremely helpful. The moment you walk in they hand you a map and tell you where everything is. I suggest staying for three days and buying a pass that allows you unlimited travel on the water bus for three days. You walk back across the bridge and the water bus stop is right there. Going to st. Marks square is about a ten minute ride. *is that such a big deal people??!!* There are several stops along the way that grant you access to their many museums and other sites. My fiancee and I were in venice from Feb. 28th till March 2nd and it snowed and rained slush our first two days and we still loved it! The carlton is nice and quiet and there is easy access to everything. It's especially easy to find which is very important on a trip to a foreign country. So if you're thinking about staying there just do it for sure you will not be disappointed. The only drawback was the bed was not very comfortable but the breakfast was superb compared to breakfast in most of the rest of Italy which I have visited. Have fun!

Venice is more expensive than the rest of Italy, and I was afraid I might get a dive if I went budget there. The Carlton was very nice, the staff was very helpful and understood my questions about getting an umbrella on the Lido Beach even though we were nowhere near the beach. I did not find it noisy; are room was in the back and had no view. I sat at a public park about two blocks down and drank beer and watched the Grand Canal at night and noticed nothing that would wake anyone. It was a pleasant stay, although it was a long boat ride to St. Mark's and a long walk to the Rialto. It is not far however to the train station, and I usually like to book places where I do not have to lug my luggage.

Final four day leg of our two week honeymoon trip to Italy. Since we arrive by train, it was easy to get there...right across the canal. The rooms are very small (but we new before hand), but the view and the small balcony overlooking the Grand Canal made up for it. The hotel staff was friendly and the rooms were clean. Even though it was away from the main tourist sites, it was nice to explore the side streets of old Venice, and getting to and from San Marco Square became a daily adventure.

The Carlton is well situated at the start of the Grand Canal, opposite the rain terminus and a major boat bus stop. It's a museum piece as are most hotels in the old city - stay outside if you want modern. Clean, with many small rooms, and a somewhat officious desk staff. Small bar with 'American style' live music. Nearby restaurants. Sets an appropriate mood for a Venice visit.

Just returned from our vacation. Spent 3 nights @ the Carlton & Grand Canal Hotel. It's rated 4 Star but like most European hotels,rating is a bit exaggerated. However, it was very nice, great location, within walking distance to everything, yet in a more quiet area. The room was not as elegant as expected from the internet photos, yet nice enough, very comfortable, bathroom was spacious & modern. Breakfast was average. The price was fair. After shopping around, we paid E130 per night. Hotel was easy to reach, only had to take one bus, walk over 2 bridges, and we were there. We would definitely stay there again, and look forward to our next trip to beautiful Venice!