Hotel Reviews
Locanda Orseolo
Corte Zorzi, San Marco 1083-30124, Venice, Veneto, Italy
+39 041 5204827
www.locandaorseolo.com
The Locanda Orseolo is a 17th century family house fully modernised and updated in 2003. 3 minutes walk west of San Marco Piazza but the entrance is tucked away in a quiet courtyard behind a side canal - a good map is provided. The exterior is the usual shabby chic and the small wooden beamed lobby has a wonderful "aqua porta" (a water door for taxis straight off the canal)
A stunning welcome from smiling reception staff and all the staff came out to say welcome. It has an intimate family atmosphere and that the staff love their job is evident everywhere. I have never read such an effusive guest book full of positive comments. Staff all give their first names and according to the guest book they know the best quality and value restaurants in town.
The small cosy dining room serves the most stunning breakfast, according to the guest book - wonderful crepes and the best eggs ever. There is no bar but an excellent cafe is next door in the small courtyard, unseen by other tourists........
........This is a superbly refurbished locanda (guest house or inn) in an excellent central location with rooms the same quality as the Marconi and the Violino d'Oro. The facilities are limited but it does not cater for business travellers and leisure activities are mainly art orientated and cultural. What makes it superior is the quality is the welcome of staff and the invaluable and genuine advice about the best places to eat and drink.
Arriving in your hotel in Venice is not simple and sometimes confusing for first time visitors because you cannot drive to it. Luggage with wheels is a must. Trains, bus tours and cars terminate at Piazzale Roma. A vaporetto (water bus) will take you to near your hotel for $4 plus $4 per item of luggage and then you walk. A water taxi from Piazzale Roma to your hotel will cost about $59, if the hotel has no aqua porta (water door) there may still be a short walk. If you arrive at Marco Polo airport a water taxi would cost $106, a special vaporetto (called Alilaguna) will take you to San Marco for $12 and an ordinary bus will take you to Piazzale Roma for $3.50. Buy tickets for all three services from a booth in the arrivals terminal.