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My Review

Want one of the best views of the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge that Venice has to offer? Then you should seriously consider staying at Hotel Rialto in the San Marco district.

I stayed at Hotel Rialto in a Classic Twin room for three nights on my mission to find the best places to stay in Venice. Overall, I think that the location is one of the main reasons to book. The hotel is just steps from the Rialto Bridge, and Piazza San Marco is only a 10-minute walk away. If you want to get up early and see Venice before everyone else does, this location can’t be beat.

Another main highlight is the view! While I didn’t have much of a view from my room, I spent a lot of time out on the panoramic terrace. This terrace has (what I think is) the best view of the Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal, hands down. Grab a drink and head on up there for sunset. It’s guaranteed to knock your socks off.

I also think the service is a great reason to book Hotel Rialto. The entire staff was so lovely and welcoming during our stay, and they were genuinely invested in making sure we were happy. From the check-in desk to the breakfast staff, everyone was very friendly.

As for the room, we stayed in room 307, a Classic Twin room. It was overall very comfortable. I slept well on the bed, and the pillows were comfy, too. The room was decorated with antique furnishings and was splashed with pink and red accents. It was a good size for two people; it wasn’t the largest room in the world, but my mom and I weren’t tripping over each other either. 

However, I have to note that this hotel feels like a total blast from the past. While comfortable and clean, the furnishings are quite dated. It’s kind of like stepping into the 1940s or 50s. Everything is functional, but contemporary is not a word that can be used here.

This is especially so for the bathroom. I’d say the bathroom showed its age the most in our room. Again, it was totally functional and clean, but expect older appliances. 

That said, what I really liked about the room was the mosquito net on the bathroom window. I visited Venice in March when the air conditioning in many hotels (including Hotel Rialto) wasn’t turned on yet. However, when you open the windows, mosquitoes leak into the room. 

But not at Hotel Rialto! This hotel was one of only a couple in Venice that had a mosquito net on the window, and it did not go unnoticed.

Overall, I’d recommend Hotel Rialto to mid-budget travelers looking for a very central place to stay. This hotel isn’t the newest, but what it lacks in 21st-century style it more than makes up for in friendliness, views, and location.

👉 Book the Hotel Rialto

Pros & Cons

About the Location

Hotel Rialto is located right on the Grand Canal in San Marco. It is literally steps from the Rialto Bridge and, in my opinion, has the best view of the bridge in Venice, hands down.

San Marco is the sestiere (district) home to most of Venice’s main attractions, which you’ll visit on your Venice itinerary. By staying at Hotel Rialto, you’ll have easy access to Piazza San Marco, Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Campanile, and so much more.

Getting around Venice is super easy from this hotel! The Rialto water bus (vaporetto) station and a private water taxi stop are directly outside the hotel. Or, you can just walk to the Piazza San Marco sites, as they’re less than a 10-minute walk away.

However, there are two downsides to staying in San Marco. The first is the crowds. San Marco gets absolutely descended on by tourists, and you’ll have to battle your way through. The second downside is that it can be more expensive than other districts, due to its popularity.