From Canals to Comfort: Staying at Hotel Aquarius Venice

When we first entered the San Giacomo dell’Orio Square, we smiled at the images of Venetian life in front of us.

Local kids were playing soccer on one side of the square, while Venetians of varying ages were sitting on benches chatting with each other. Steps away, a small grocery store was busy with customers, as was a fruit and vegetable store bursting with the colors of the produce displayed outside its doors. Restaurants dotted the courtyard and a gelateria was also close by.

Hotel Aquarius Venice blended into the square with only the word Aquarius posted outside to let us know we had arrived at our temporary home. And what a home it was.

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Sleeping in an Authentic Venetian Palace

Set in the Santa Croce district, Hotel Aquarius Venice is away from the city’s busy main tourist area and housed within the historic palace, Pemma-Zambelli, which dates to the 15^th century.

Part of Ascend Collection Hotels, a AAA partner, it seamlessly blends modern amenities with many of the architectural and artistic treasures of the original building and design touches of local craftsmen and artists.

We were in awe of the truly stunning large Murano glass chandeliers in guest rooms and public rooms. Our guest room — one of 28 in differing in size and style — was large, with a king bed, brick walls and an oversize bathroom.

Amenities included a flat-screen television, Wi-Fi and air conditioning. A variety of guest rooms include family suites with sofa beds to cater to four guests. Plus, there are five Aquarius apartments, with a separate entrance, for those traveling with an extended family or group of friends. The entire hotel is smoke free.

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Venetian Hospitality

The sense of place and warmth that we felt upon entering the hotel’s square began upon check-in at the 24-hour reception desk and continued throughout our stay. General Manager Luca Chiais proudly shared that everyone who works at the hotel is Venetian.

At the start, the front desk attendant handed us a personal invitation to Fondaco dei Tedeschi, a department store next to the Rialto Bridge. The invitation included priority access to the rooftop terrace boasting an incomparable view of Venice. At check-out, she also personally walked us across the square to the canal where she had prearranged our water taxi for our departure.

The complimentary international breakfast buffet is plentiful and held daily in the hotel’s Salone Zambelli. This lovely room with large windows, frescoes and Murano chandeliers offers an assortment of sweet and savory breakfast items and even prosecco.

Next door, the bar in the beautiful Salone Pemma is open from November to April. Early spring through fall, the bar moves out between the hotel’s inner courtyard and its special hidden garden. Dates for the lounge bar in the courtyard may vary according to the weather and temperature, but the courtyard and garden are open year-round. The Tea Salon in Salone Pemma is open from 7:30 a.m. until midnight for relaxation, tea and coffee.

Guests can enjoy additional hotel amenities, including a fitness center and a massage room, which must be booked at least five days in advance.

Convenience  

Hotel Aquarius Venice is located between the Santa Lucia railway station and the Rialto Bridge, only a 10- to 15-minute walk from both. A few minutes’ walk takes you to the waterbus stop of Riva di Biasio and San Stae.

It is a 30-minute private water taxi ride from Venice Marco Polo Airport and about 20 minutes via private water taxi to Venice’s port for those looking for a pre- or post-cruise stay. There is also public water transportation to both.

An ideal base for exploring the City of Canals, the walk to the Rialto Bridge meanders along local streets that you may miss if you were to stay only in the main tourist area. Here, along these narrow streets, we found small shops selling handmade jewelry and other items, as well as a choice of trattoria and osterias. We passed over bridges and small canals, even spying a gondola or two. Signs conveniently led our way to the Rialto Bridge through the winding maze that is Venice.

There is plenty of shopping at the Rialto Bridge, as well as the iconic view of the Grand Canal. Though you may not be able to pack your own Murano glass chandelier like those found at Hotel Aquarius Venice, there are other options for purchase, like glassware and easy-to-pack earrings. Continue to walk another 10 minutes past the Rialto Bridge to Piazza San Marco, the main square for major people watching and Basilica San Marco.

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Featured image: Courtesy of Choice Hotels