21/03/2024: In the north of Venice, in the Sestiere Cannaregio, is the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente.
Very quiet, but just a bridge away, there are a lot of students and after work also a lot of locals.
Like most houses and hotels, it looks very narrow and small from the outside, like the many streets and alleys here called Calle, Fondamenti, Riva.
You involuntarily ask yourself, can you still fit in there with a suitcase? It was similar last year at Albergo Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo.
If you then enter through the glass double doors, you will be surprised. The hotel turns out to be very spacious, with branches, sometimes on the left and sometimes on the right, spread over two floors.
There is a chic bar opposite the small reception.
At the back there is a courtyard with chairs and a table and right next to it is the breakfast room. Indian and oriental music whispers softly from somewhere.
Ai Mori d'Oriente means Walls of the Orient. And so it is beautifully decorated with lots of small and large knick-knacks, knick-knacks and pictures that show a different time.
When you walk on the heavy red carpets and take in everything, you may feel, for a brief moment, Marco Polo's zeitgeist.
The design extends over two floors, which are accessible via stairs and elevator.
Friendly staff, at least with a good knowledge of English, welcome you and an eager bellman reaches for your luggage.
The room looks like it comes from the century before last. Classic, lots of wood, desk next to it, a minibar, two nice chairs and a large and comfortable bed. Opposite there is a TV screen that is a little too small. The closet, right in the hallway there is a spacious closet with light and mirror. Opposite, also classic, is the bathroom with a bathtub, bidet, shower and hairdryer.
The sink is decorated with a small bathroom fixture. Very chic and clean.
WiFi was available all the time. Netflix (possible via the hotel's own TV) without buffering or playback problems. Very good.
The only thing that doesn't reflect the four stars is the breakfast. Toast, rolls, cornflakes, jam, fruit, eggs and sausages, bacon, cheese and sausage, everything is there. Two coffee machines for various hot drinks. However, this is also available in 2 and 3 star hotels. The coffee or cappuccino is okay, but not from beans, more like Nescafé.
It was sufficient, it was good, but not enough for a really good hotel. Therefore only 3 out of 5 for breakfast.
Everything together, price (flight/breakfast/4.5 days, location (15 minutes from the bus and train station, 20 minutes to Rialto), appearance, and above all the really nice and competent staff get 5 out of 5.
17/03/2024: This was our third vacation in Venice, always in different hotels and this hotel was by far the best!!! The hotel is located directly on a canal and you can sit comfortably in front of it, enjoy a drink or eat something. Centrally located, just a few minutes from the water bus, lively shopping streets and cozy restaurants. The hotel's furnishings are in the typical Venetian style, very high quality, well maintained and with attention to detail. We had a double room, I found it to be larger than average for Venice. (estimated 20 square meters) There was a double bed, a couch, desk and several storage options. The reception was very friendly, attentive and possible in various languages. We were given tips for excursions and, at our request, two employees took the trouble to find directions to a specific place across Venice for us. 👍
The breakfast was very extensive, warm, cold, sweet and savory - there was really something for everyone. But above all, fresh! The buffet was always well filled, the employees were quick and very attentive.
Room service was thorough and made our stay complete.
Those were a successful 6 days in Venice and we will definitely come back, but definitely only to the Ai Mori d' Oriente Hotel 🏨 Thank you very much for the loving service!!! Grazie mille ☀️
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