Hotel Bella Venezia is tucked away down a maze of streets in the popular San Marco district. The design throughout is uncomplicated -- for Venice -- and simply styled. Subtle nods to the area include abstract artwork specially made for the hotel by a local, which adds some much-needed personality and flair. Though the spacious lobby has several leather sofas in random red and yellow shades, guests tend not to hang out here. Instead, most travelers leave their bags and head to St. Mark’s Square or one of the other major landmarks nearby. As a result, the atmosphere can best be described as dry, though it’s a nice contrast to the busy streets outside. The hotel’s bar and breakfast room are similarly placid with shades of pastel green, plants, and large swathes of white throughout. The hotel offers competitive rates -- especially for a San Marco property -- but the four-star status may surprise some guests. 

The location is one of the main draws at Hotel Bella Venezia, as San Marco is home to plenty of iconic sights. There are numerous places of interest within a 10-minute walk of the hotel, and lots of restaurants right across the street. Guests are just a three-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square and a five-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. The Doge’s Palace is similarly close and only takes six minutes to reach on foot. Slightly further afield is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. It takes 13 minutes to get there via water bus from the San Marco stop, which is a seven-minute walk from the hotel. One of the most visited attractions in Venice, this modern art museum houses many great Italian and America works. The hotel’s location is also great for visiting the sometimes-forgotten Castello district. An 18-minute water bus journey will take guests to the beautiful Giardini Biennale which hosts the Venice Biennale. Marco Polo Airport is about 50 minutes away by water bus and airport shuttle.

The 24 rooms are traditionally styled, with the most impressive design element being the criss-cross of wooden beams on the ceilings in some of units. Interiors are comprised of classic tiled floors and uninspired dark wood furniture, plus matching red-and-gold or blue-and-gold bedspreads and curtains. The odd piece of artwork adds a dash of personality, while the Deluxe Rooms bring a touch of glamor to proceedings with a crown above the bed. Rooms are spacious and there’s some seating and desks even in the small rooms. Canal View Suites have full sofas and impressive views, and larger Suites have separate seating areas. 

Amenities include flat-screen TVs and well-stocked minibars, as well as safes, air-conditioning, and telephones, plus wardrobes. Bathrooms are a good size, with showers, heated towel racks, slippers, bathrobes, shower caps, and toiletries included in all rooms. The larger Suites have bathtubs with overhead showers and double sinks. 

As well as it’s clean and functional breakfast area, which serves a continental buffet at a hefty additional cost, this hotel has some good features that make it popular with leisure and business travelers. For starters, there’s room service and a small well-equipped bar area. Unusually for Venice, there is also a business center, which is free to use and has meeting and event facilities as well as free newspapers. There are some good transport options too, like the airport shuttle that can be booked (for a fee). Laundry, ironing, and dry-cleaning facilities are available as well as babysitting services. For leisure tourists, the currency exchange, luggage storage, and high-speed Wi-Fi are all welcome perks.