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My Review

Of the 12 hotels I stayed at on my mission to find the best places to stay in Venice, I think that Hotel Principe is one of the best for mid-budget travelers looking to stay right on the Grand Canal.

I stayed at Hotel Principe for one night in Room 229, a Superior Double Room with Canal View, and it was a seriously great view of the Grand Canal. Not to mention, my room had a balcony, which was so wonderful to be out on while drinking my morning coffee and watching Venice slowly wake up.

About the room, I thought it was really comfy! I had a great sleep on the bed, and everything was clean and tidy. The decor was a little bit dated, but it really does feel “Venetian,” and I think the colors add a ton of character and charm.

Another highlight of this hotel is the food. The on-site restaurant, Mirai Japanese Sushi Bar, is one of the best places I ate in Venice. And yes, sushi doesn’t exactly scream “Venice” but if you’re looking for a great sushi spot, it’s worth a stop. 

At Mirai, I had a Pisco Sour, the seafood gyoza, a seaweed salad, and a roll. I enjoyed this restaurant so much that I included it in my 3-day Venice itinerary, regardless of which hotel you end up booking.

Speaking of food, the buffet breakfast is also a worthy add-on. The offerings are pretty standard, with fruit, juice, cold cuts, vegetables, pastries, cereal, and hot options. Plus, there’s a ton of seating in the dining room, so they’re able to accommodate a lot of guests.

My main critique of Hotel Principe is that it’s just a bit dated. While the lobby makes a great first impression with polished floors and fresh flowers, the carpets in the hallways are worn. In the room, there were some scuffs on the walls and the bathroom could probably use an update. However, everything was perfectly functional and clean, so no qualms about that.

Overall, I’d recommend Hotel Principe to families, couples, and business travelers looking for a great mid-level stay along the Grand Canal. It’s also great for dog owners, as the hotel has special welcome packages and features for our four-legged friends.

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Pros & Cons

About the Location

Hotel Principe is located right on the Grand Canal in the sestiere (district) of Cannaregio. Where Cannaregio overall is much more local than the central locations like San Marco, the hotel itself is on a fairly busy street with tons of shops and restaurants. There were always people buzzing past every time I stepped out of the hotel.

I think this location is especially great if you want to be super close to the Santa Lucia station, where you can catch the train, bus, or water taxis all around (and out of) Venice. The hotel is a really quick 3-minute walk away with no steps or bridges in between.

Or, if you want to catch a private water taxi, the hotel has a station right on its Grand Canal docks.