Bauer Palazzo ★★★★★

Should you arrive at the Bauer Palazzo by water taxi, which will take you straight to the hotel pontoon, you will be awestruck by the spectacular floating entrance to the city. You are immediately plunged into the heart of Venice, sweeping along the Grand Canal.

When you and your luggage have disembarked, it will be time to admire the elegant hotel exterior for the first time. Around you, you’ll see an exquisite blend of Venetian art deco, romantic and modern architectural styles. The Bauer Palazzo stands proudly amongst it all, a distinctive 1940s structure on the water’s edge. Before you enter, a timeless atmosphere envelops you: this is the magic of Venice.

On entering the hotel, you will be warmly greeted by the lovely team, who are determined to make your weekend unforgettable, before being shown to your bedroom. You will find it to be superbly spacious and comfortable, with a bathroom in Italian marble and a very nice bathtub. The furniture is contemporary, and delicately balanced with the classic Venetian touches of rich fabrics, golden mirrors and engravings on the walls. Of course, all the necessary modern amenities (including air conditioning, Wi-Fi and satellite television) have been subtly incorporated into this sophisticated décor.

After settling into your room, why not head back downstairs for coffee at the hotel’s Canal Bar? This is a distinguished bar that opens out onto a pretty terrace beside the Grand Canal. It is a wonderful place for sitting back and admiring the show of boats and gondolas that flow past throughout the day. And what’s more, the bartenders are Bellini experts; the perfect cocktail accompaniment to those small tramezzini sandwiches adored by Venetians and visitors alike.

Then, the Bauer Palazzo is just two minutes from Saint Mark’s Square, an ideal first sight to discover, in addition to other iconic sights. Hours will seamlessly pass by in a whirl of bridges, gondolas, beautiful buildings and lively Venetian terraces.

In the evening, the hotel’s restaurant, De Pisis, makes for a magical dining experience. Here, you savour exquisite Italian and Mediterranean dishes, whilst overlooking the Santa Maria della Salute church. This should surely be followed by creative cocktails at the B-Bar Lounge – the waiters might even share their anecdotes concerning Daniel Craig, Al Pacino and Sting, who have taken advantage of the bar’s inviting atmosphere and excellent live music performances.