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Hotels on the Grand CanalMany visitors to Venice set their hearts on a view over the Grand Canal. We've compiled what we think is the very first online listing of accommodation along the Grand Canal, from luxury five-stars to a couple of B&Bs. 
The Grand Canal is Venice's most famous feature, snaking through the town lined with historic palazzi. There are no roads or paths along its length, just scattered viewpoints from landing stages or brief stretches of pavement. If you want to sit and gaze at the Grand Canal, the most stylish way to do this is from your own balcony. Whatever category of hotel you choose, you will pay more for a room overlooking the water. However, if you're on a special trip, or a honeymoon, you may well feel this is worth the expense. Otherwise, choose a cheaper room in a hotel with a terrace on the canal where you can sit and admire the views. Although the idea of overlooking the Grand Canal is a romantic one, do be aware that this is the busiest thoroughfare in the city. Waterbuses (vaporetti) and other boats can be noisy (and there is a vaporetto service throughout the night). If prices and bookings aren't listed separately for canal view rooms, request one and contact the hotel if they don't send confirmation with your booking details. We'd recommend that you confirm your room (and its view) again by email or phone a short while before your holiday. We think this is a fairly thorough list of all the accommodation facing onto the Grand Canal. We've listed hotels starting by Piazzale Roma, the bus terminus at the start of the Grand Canal, and continuing past the Rialto and on to the far end of the canal by St. Mark's. At the foot of the page we've added a couple of B&Bs and a holiday rental apartment. Click on the name of the hotel for more information and online availability, prices and booking. Piazzale Roma to the Rialto BridgeThe Grand Canal begins with a very busy stretch alongside Piazzale Roma, Venice's bus terminus. There are many vaporetto stops and boats maneouvring, as well as a lot of pedestrian traffic. The Scalzi bridge crosses the Grand Canal by the railway station; then pedestrian routes lead away between buildings, and the canal becomes more atmospheric. Hotel Santa Chiara ***Right alongside the bus terminus at Piazzale Roma and the new bridge (due to be finished late 2007) this is great for transport but not for peace and quiet. Uniquely in Venice, the hotel has a little car park. It's right next to Venice's new fourth bridge over the Grand Canal, due to be finished later in 2007, so you may be bothered by contruction work. There's a pavement between the hotel and the Grand Canal. Hotel Airone **Mixed reviews for this two-star accommodation above souvenir shops, which at least offers a cheaper alternative. Some rooms have shared bathrooms. Read the reviews to be prepared. Hotel Carlton & Grand Canal ****Between Piazzale Roma and the bridge to the railway station, Ponte degli Scalzi, the four-star Carlton & Grand Canal has some outside tables on the pavement between the hotel and water. It's a rather unexciting place to stay, but it does have rooms with a view over this rather busy stretch of canal and also a roof terrace. Hotel Canal & Walter ***We've listed it for the sake of completeness, but this cheap option doesn't have great reviews. Hotel Antiche Figure ***Still in the Piazzale Roma/railway station area, this smart, small three-star in an elegant cream-painted building overlooks the crowded pavement to the Grand Canal beyond. There are little tables outside on the pedestrian thoroughfare; the hotel has done a praiseworthy job of making them look appealing, with flowers and window boxes. Deluxe rooms have a view. 
Ca' Nigra Lagoon Resort ****- RECOMMENDEDJust a few years ago this building and garden were dilapidated and unloved. Now this is one of the most appealing frontages on the Grand Canal. The historic palazzo is set back from the canal, behind its pretty garden which extends to a low wall at the water's edge, where guests sit and doubtless congratulate themselves on their choice of hotel. The 22 rooms are therefore not directly overlooking the water, but the garden may compensate. Near to the railway station and Piazzale Roma, so convenient for travel. A special place to stay. Expect envious looks from new arrivals on the waterbus as it passes. Hotel Principe ****Tourist hotel on the busy Lista di Spagna close to the railway station, with double rooms overlooking the Grand Canal. 
San Cassiano Ca' Favretto ***When catching the vaporetto we often see guests sitting on the little jetty/terrace of this popular hotel admiring their view. An attractive historic palazzo with a range of room types and prices. Ca' Sagredo ***** A new luxury hotel in a historic building with a terrace over the water for classy dining. The only drawback is the proximity to the landing stage of the Ca' d'Oro vaporetto stop, which could disturb your romantic meal. Hotel Foscari Palace ****Hotel with very good guest reviews, next to the Grand Canal with some sideways views of the water. There's a high roof terrace with more views. Hotel al Ponte Antico ***A small and pretty three-star with a little breakfast terrace one storey above the Grand Canal. Some bedrooms have views. The Rialto Bridge to the Accademia BridgeAround the Rialto there are is some lower category accommodation with views of the Grand Canal and the famous bridge. This is probably the second busiest spot on the Grand Canal (after the first hundred yards), as lots of waterbuses stop here and of course it's a magnet for tourist crowds. Just past the Rialto there are pedestrian walkways and restaurant tables along the canal for a short distance, so hotels don't have direct frontage on the water. A bit further on, however, comes the quieter and romantic stretch of canal towards the Accademia Bridge. There isn't much pedestrian access to the canalside, so your view will feel more special. Hotel Rialto ****Practical hotel with good views, albeit in a busy location. Hotel Marconi ***Over the Rialto from the vaporetto stop, a three-star with very variable prices. Request a canal view.  A new luxury hotel in a historic building with a terrace over the water for classy dining. The only drawback is the proximity to the landing stage of the Ca' d'Oro vaporetto stop, which could disturb your romantic meal. Antica Locanda Sturion ***Small establishment on an upper floor (lots of stairs); has a couple of bedrooms and a breakfast room with canal views. Locanda Ovidius ***In the same building as Locanda Sturion, the Ovidius has a breakfast room with a panoramic terrace, and several rooms with views. Mixed opinions from past guests. Palazzo Bembo ***A small establishment with 6 rooms, on the top floor of a historic palazzo. Hotel NH Manin ****Decent hotel with 44 rooms, but the best view is from the junior suites overlooking the Grand Canal, some with balconies. Next to Sant' Angelo vaporetto stop, so expect noise from boats.
Hotel Palazzo Sant'Angelo ****- RECOMMENDEDA smart hotel opening on to a short stretch of waterfront pavement. The breakfast room, bar and some bedrooms have great canal views. It has a private jetty so you can arrive by water taxi if you're feeling extravagant. From San Tomà, past the Accademia Bridge to St. Mark'sAll of the Grand Canal is special, but the section on either side of the Accademia bridge is our favourite. There's practically no pedestrian access to the water, meaning that the canal feels somehow secretive, and it's easy to imagine yourself back in the days when Byron swam here. He lodged opposite the vaporetto stop San Tomà, in the Palazzo Mocenigo. As you near the end of the Grand Canal and the open water of the Bacino di San Marco (St. Mark's Basin), you come to some of Venice's most famous grand hotels. This area is much busier, and the lanes 'inland' are thronged with tourists and shoppers. Hotel dei Dragomanni ****Near the Accademia Bridge, and over the canal from the Guggenheim, this is an attractive, small and quiet hotel with smart new fittings and a palazzo atmosphere. Gritti Palace *****One of THE Venetian hotels, the Gritti Palace is in the luxury bracket. Rooms above the Grand Canal are extremely expensive; guests who've chosen rooms with lesser views can still enjoy the view from the waterside terrace. The Westin Europa & Regina ****A reasonable, though pricey, hotel, with good views but rather unenthusiastic reports from past guests. The restaurant and bar terraces have a view across to the Salute church. Hotel Bauer *****Set 'inland' behind its sister hotel (see below), the Bauer doesn't have Grand Canal views from its bedrooms. It does have a terrace on the Grand Canal where you can enjoy breakfast and evening drinks, weather permitting. 
Hotel Bauer il Palazzo *****- RECOMMENDEDA real luxury option with views over the end of the Grand Canal and the Bacino di San Marco. Restaurant and breakfast terraces with views, and even a rooftop jacuzzi. Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal ****Next to the Vallaresso vaporetto stop, the Monaco & Grand Canal aims for business as well as leisure travellers. It has a long terrace at water level with views across to Punta della Dogana, at the very end of the Grand Canal.
Bed & breakfast and apartmentsFor a cheaper or more independent stay, here are a couple of B&Bs with Grand Canal views, and a holiday rental apartment. Apartment Grand Canal, Santa CroceBy the church and vaporetto stop of San Stae, this large, simply-furnished apartment is in a historic building with Grand Canal views. Casa Colli B&BThis three-room B&B is in an interesting old palazzo in Cannaregio. Two rooms share a bathroom. Request a canal view. Abbazia de Luxe B&BA fancy and ambitious new B&B with spacious, stylish rooms. Close to the railway station, set back from the canal by the Scalzi Bridge. Confirm arrival details in advance. > Our recommended Venice hotels
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