Hotel Flora

Description:

• The simple name of this small, charming hotel refers to its greatest attribute: a jewel-like patio garden immediately beyond the welcoming lobby. A delightful place to have breakfast, afternoon tea, or an aperitif, the garden is enclosed by climbing vines and ivy-covered walls, with an antique well, potted flowers, and blooming plants that create a cool green enclave, one of the hotel's many pleasant places to retreat. Seamlessly run by two generations of the highly professional Romanelli family and their friendly staff, the Flora has long been one of Venice's favorite spots and is ideally located just west of the American Express office on a tony shopping street. Despite rooms that can vary greatly (from small to standard in size, and rather plain to the nicest period-style ones overlooking the garden), and small bathrooms that could do with a face-lift, it is forever full of loyal devotees and romance-seekers. On the top floor, room no. 47 looks onto what is allegedly the palazzo of Desdemona (of Shakespeare's tragedy Othello), with the dome of La Salute church beyond. The owners of Hotel Flora also run a hotel in the same area: Locanda Novecento (San Marco 2683-2684; tel. 041-241-3765; fax 041-521-2145; www.locandanovecento.it) is a boutique hotel offering luxury accommodations in nine rooms, each decorated along the theme of "1900." Rooms have the same amenities as the Flora, while the prices are about 40€ ($52) higher.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010