Hotel Ai Reali di Venezia, Venice

• The hotel sits in a sweet spot between the Piazza San Marco and Rialto; perfect for exploring on foot, but slightly removed from the crowds.
• Rooms channel the building's rich history with preserved original features and 18th-century decor, including gilded headboards, parquet flooring, Murano glass chandeliers, and marble bathrooms.
• Guests can enjoy elevated, Venetian-inspired fine dining at the on-site restaurant, which is regularly listed in the Michelin Guide.
• The small rooftop spa (complete with a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, and sauna) is a rare amenity in central Venice.

• Classic options are the smallest and can be a bit dark on the lower floors; upgrade to a Superior or Deluxe for more space and light.
• The decor of the common and dining areas can feel a little old-fashioned (and simple) compared to the rooms.

Authenticity

It doesn't get much more quintessentially Venetian than this 17th-century pink palazzo, tucked between a narrow canal and an 18th-century church. Initially built for the aristocratic Corner family (one of the city's oldest and most powerful dynasties), the Baroque building was converted into a hotel in 2012, preserving much of its original character in the process. The decor retains a period feel but updates it to the 18th century, with gilded antique furniture, opulent damask walls, and parquet floors strewn with Aubusson rugs. An ancient coat of arms remains carved into the stone wellhead in the lobby, and a grand marble staircase still ushers guests to the upper-story rooms.

Location

Ai Reali offers an ideal location for exploring Venice's historic center, with both Rialto and Piazza San Marco just a few minutes away on foot. The hotel sits on the corner of the quiet Campo de la Fava (home to the 18th-century Santa Maria della Fava church) and the Rio della Fava canal, where vaporettos (water taxis) can drop you directly at the lobby doors. It's a 20-minute walk to Santa Lucia railway station; if you're headed to the airport, catch the Alilaguna water bus at the Rialto stop (the journey takes about an hour), or book a vaporetto to pick you up at the lobby.

Rooms & Bathrooms

All 37 air-conditioned rooms and suites are individually decorated, channeling an opulent, 18th-century Venetian style with damask wallpapers, heavy curtains, original parquet or terrazzo floors, and glossy marble bathrooms. Standard rooms are the simplest (and smallest); upgrade to a Superior or Deluxe for more space, better views, and ornate details like Murano glass chandeliers and gilded antiques. Suites are the grandest options, adding spacious living areas with plush velvet sofas and the best canal and city views. Two accessible rooms are available for travelers with limited mobility.  

Amenities

For a historic, city center hotel, you'll find a surprising array of amenities here, including a spa tucked under the sloped, beamed ceilings of the top floor (complete with a hydromassage pool, treatment rooms, and a sauna) and a small fitness room. There's no shortage of inviting common areas, including a cozy bar and lounge (complete with a pianist some evenings), a reading room with books and board games, and a walled courtyard. The hotel's Michelin-listed Al Corone restaurant earns plaudits for its elevated, contemporary take on traditional Venetian cuisine, and breakfast is a generous continental buffet with plenty of local baked goods (you can also order fruit smoothies and egg dishes for an additional cost). 

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome at Ai Reali, though you won't find much in the way of kid-focused amenities. Children 10 and over are charged as adults, and extra beds can be added to upgraded rooms at an additional cost. Suites are a good fit for families, sleeping up to four, and you can also book connecting rooms.