Venice Ai Tre Ponti

Santa Croce 359/B - Rio Terá dei Pensieri - 30135 Venice
Tel +39-041-710962 info@aitreponti.com
http://www.aitreponti.com/eng/b&b.asp

I spent a good deal of time on the Internet, trying to find a convenient hotel in Venice, with two bedrooms for a total of four people, which looked clean and not too dodgy, but was also within a reasonable budget. We weren’t staying at the Grizzi Palace – this time – and I wanted something which would allow us a night’s rest in between our transit from Ancona and Turin. This was a ski holiday, but a good chance for a quick visit to La Serenissima.

So when Christine booked the Hotel Ai Tre Ponti, I was a bit worried. The hotel is in Santa Croce Ovest, quite some ways from St. Mark’s Square, and near the train station: I usually associate train stations with dodgy people.

Arriving at the hotel was remarkably easy: we parked at the Municipal Parking Lot and after a 3 minute walk (and only one bridge to cross), we were at the hotel. Use the Municipal Parking: you can lock your car. In the adjacent St. Mark’s Parking, they insist that you leave your keys in your car, which I would never do.

From the outside, I had that sinking feeling: the hotel looks like a bit of a dive, not the palazzo you might be expecting. But once inside, we were charmed. We had booked the “Suite”, at EUR 200 per night. You go up 3 flights of stairs (no elevator, so pack light), and have a spacious and well-light main floor which includes a double bedroom, bathroom, sitting room with sofa and TV and kitchen. Another internal flight of stairs leads you up to a second bedroom and bathroom. There is a beautiful view of the canal from the main bedroom windows.

The Suite is well-equipped, with a full cooking range, refrigerator, sink, cleaning area, etc. The bathroom includes a stand-up shower with sliding screen doors. There is lots of room, and the authentic wooden ceiling beams lend a nice touch to the place. The hotel is good for two couples (one living upstairs, one downstairs) or a family of four, with lots of room and comfort. One extra person can probably sleep on the sofa in the TV room.

Although on the outskirts of town, the hotel is very convenient:

- A 3-minute walk from the train station and arrival point for busses;
- A 1-minute walk from the vaporetto stop;
- A 20-minute walk through the streets of Venice to St. Mark’s square;

There’s a bakery just 10 metres outside the hotel, to the left, one of the few authentic bakeries we found, so breakfast is easy. Guests are given keys to the hotel, so there is 100% independence for coming and going. The Suite's bathrooms are very clean, but as always, bring your own toiletries.

Three disadvantages of the hotel:

1. Some of the guests downstairs were a bit loud…luckily they feel asleep about midnight. Sound travels.

2. The heat turned off around midnight, and started again at around 07:00. Luckily, there were extra blankets in the room. If you are staying in November – March, be prepared for cold weather.

3. The manager, Maurizio, is not at the hotel full time, especially between 13:00 and 17:00. Make sure you time your arrival to coincide when he is on the premises, otherwise you will be walking around Venice with your baggage. Call/email in advance.

Bookings
We booked directly through the hotel at http://www.aitreponti.com/eng/b&b.asp