Firstly, we should be grateful to find a quad room in Venice that was big enough to swing the proverbial cat, that was not too expensive (in Venetian terms).
As everyone else has said, this is five minutes walk from the station or 8 minutes from the car parks in the Piazzale Roma. From the station, take the door to the left as you walk out and you'll avoid the steps to the front. The only hurdle you'll have is getting bags to your room the property - there is no lift and reception and the first rooms on are floor 1 (one above ground). There are four stories, so pack light or bring someone strong and fit.
Whilst the room was of a good size, and on the first floor, the room could really do with some updating and brighter colours. The grand walls covered in fabric are looking a little tired and if they were replaced with some brighter colours and a new carpet, the whole room would go up a notch. The lamps could do with an upgrade - and with energy saving bulbs, there's no excuse for dim hotel lights anymore.
Bathroom was clean, functional and compact with a small shower. If you're XXL, you may find it hard to move around the shower.
Breakfast is in a small room off the reception area - small being the word. You need to squeeze in with fellow guests and/or wait for a table. The breakfast waitress does not seem happy in her job, though we did see her smile once in three days..... maybe because we were leaving. No fresh fruit, cheese or meats with the cold breakfast: croissant filled with jam, rolls, butter and more preserves and tea/coffee/chocolate and orange juice.
While you're there, go for a pizza at http://www.pizzeriaallanfora.com/ - it's just 10 minutes stroll over the canal through the back street on the other side, but well worth it. Check the other review on here for details.
Boat Tips (ACTV Vaporetto). The fares for single boat trips are wallet shrinkingly expensive! Even buying a pass will cost you dear. So - work out when you want to use the boat and pack your trips into a 24/36/48 hour block. Remember, a 48 hour ticket bought late on Friday will still see you travelling most of Sunday - so buy what you need and exploit it. (If you are mobile, you can walk around most of Venice easily - you only need the boat for islands and the Lido and, maybe, a cruise up the Grand Canal). Boat rides do keep kids amused, though.
If you want to be sure of a seat on many of the services you'll find that they originate at the Piazzale Roma, which is just a short walk from the Station, over the bridge. Take the walk and be among the first on, or, if you already have a pass, take a boat from the station and back-track!. During the day the ticket queues can also be shorter here - you can also buy tickets from some tobacconists.
Route one is a great cruise down the Grand Canal back to the hotel - get on at the Lido if you want to be sure of a seat at the back.
- Spagna Hotel Venice
