We had originally booked to stay at the Palace Bonvecchiati hotel, and when we arrived at the hotel (which was tricky to find as it is down a couple of side streets, we were not happy with the pompous and unfriendly reception staff. The room, (although as per the hotel photos) was adequate, but not lush or exceptional. Our view was a side canal and a wall of the building opposite. Anyway, we went for a walk, feeling peeved and let down (it was an expensive hotel).
We were enjoying a drink outside a little bar near the Palace Ruzzini when we decided to ask if they had any rooms for the next 2 nights.
I cannot tell you enough how friendly, and helpful the staff were. They not only told me about the different rooms, the took me to see them. So we took the bull by the horn, went back to the Bonvecchiati, and cancelled our next 2 nights there. Oh by the way it is 6uros an hour for wifi, or 22 euros for 24 hours at the Bonvecchiati. When I went to speak to the reception man at the Bonvecchiati I quoted room 106 instead of 160. He said, we do not have a room 106 and ignored me to serve another couple. (who I might add, had a baby in a pram with them, and they were quoted 35 euros a night for them to have a cot put in their room!
Anyway, I can only praise the Hotel Ruzzini Palace Hotel. We went back and booked a de luxe double, (Which I had been shown and was impressed), however, we were upgraded for the same price to a suite. Wow oh wow, it was stunning. Overlooking the Square. With long tall windows with heavy velvet curtains to block the light at night. we also had a lovely long room, which had some chairs and a table, plus desk. Somewhere is sit and read, use the laptop (free wifi) or just have a cuppa. The bathroom was pure luxury, and the deepest bath I have ever used. Breakfast was delicious, and the choice of food was excellent. The staff were so helpful with directions, and gave us maps marking how to get to places we wanted to see. We really felt we were staying in an Italian Palace. We had two wonderful nights there, and after each day we retired to the chic, friendly bar in the Hotel. Another plus for us was that the Reception spoke and understood English very well. So if you are going to Venice, this hotel is a must.

We stayed at the Ruzzini Palace Hotel in September last year. The accommodation was superb. Upon arrival we were advised that our accommodation was upgraded. The suite was huge, with very, very high and ornate ceilings. We genuinely thought we were staying in a palace. The hotel was in an excellent location in Venice although a little challenging to find. The water taxi initially dropped us off about 150 metres from the hotel and we spent the next half hour trying to locate it. The breakfasts were modest and did not compare well with other hotels we had stayed at in Italy. The staff of the hotel were immensely hospitable and helpful. If I visited Venice again, Hotel Ruzzini would be on the itinerary.

The flight and hotel was booked through Easyjet - the room worked out at around £100 per night. I booked the hotel after reading TripAdvisor reviews. This is a genuine 4 star hotel and there isn't really anything I would criticise it for. The staff are genuinely friendly, the room (a standard superior) was clean, comfortable and a good size and there is a very spacious and pretty sitting area on the first floor. The breakfast was adequate for a 4* hotel - this is the only thing for me that wasn't quite 4* standard - no fresh juice and the scrambled egg and bacon looked a bit sad after a while - on the other hand you can help yourself to a glass of Prosecco ! The hotel is about a 5 minute walk from the Rialto Bridge.

I would have no hesitation in staying at this hotel again.

A couple of points on the trip:

1. We travelled direct from the airport to the Rialto Bridge stop by boat (called the Alilaguna) - 25 Euros each return - takes about 50 mins - a very nice way to enter Venice.
2. We ate a few times at an osteria called Alpergo (behind Olandaise Volante) which was a good place for cicheti (tapas) and a trattoria called Sandro about 5 mins from the Rialto bridge who do a lovely spaghetti carbonara

The location of the hotel is fantastic - a convenient walk to many famous landmarks and in a pretty square. The room that we stayed in was nicely decorated with good quality fixtures and fittings and was clean. The mattress in the room was extremely firm. The breakfast buffet was decent. Front desk staff were formal and helpful, and could speak good English. You have to hand over your room key each time you leave the hotel.

There were a few things that could be better:
- no kettle/tea making facilities in the room.
- the room doors need soft closers, they slammed really loudly so we were woken up by other guests/staff on a couple of occasions.

These two points meant that for me it was pretty good rather than very good.