Issue:
May
2008

by Barbara Penny Angelakis

Palazzo Sant’ Angelo sul Canal Grande
Fondamenta del Teatro
San Marco 3878/b
Venice, Italy.
Tel: +39 0412411452
(www.palazzosantangelo.com)
(www.slh.com)

For those few readers who have never experienced Venice; by all means plan a visit to one of the most unique and spectacular old-world cities in Europe. Everything you have heard or read about the glories of Venice are true… and then some. And for those of you that had the good fortune to travel to this magical wonderland from mid century to just before the tourism explosion of the 1990’s, hold your Venice memories dear to you as Venice is undergoing a tourism boom of massive proportion.  Numerous opportunities for discovery and adventure abound in Italy, and this may be a good time to work on discovering less traveled venues. For Venice, always crowded, has turned into a Disney Land of crowd-packed squares, clogged alleyways - euphemistically referred to as streets - and long waiting lines to enter any of its renowned churches and museums. And once inside, the chance of grabbing more than a glimpse of any of the art works or artifacts you came to see is iffy because of the hordes of international tourists jockeying for position. And who could blame them? Venice is a living, pulsating outdoor/indoor museum of delights to please the eye and tempt the culture palate. 

On our recent trip to Venice we stayed at one of the De Luxe boutique hotels dotting the changing landscape. Palazzo Sant’ Angelo sul Canal Grande (www.palazzosantangelo.com) is strategically located on the Grand Canal, with its own private boat access and literally just steps away from the vaporetto stop of St. Angelo. The Palazzo Sant’ Angelo opened its doors in 2003 after extensive renovations that turned an 18^th century private residence belonging to a noble Venetian family into an exquisite jewel of a palatial hotel. The hotel has twenty six rooms and suites, with either canal or lush garden views; it is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (www.slh.com). It belongs to the SINA Hotels Group (www.sinahotels.com) that is responsible for the transformation. Only the finest quality in materials and amenities were used in redeveloping this property, in keeping with SINA’s other world-renowned 4 and 5 star Italian properties. No detail was overlooked and that includes the exceptionally fine Pedersoli bed linens and thick oversized towels and robes, as well as the furnishings and art work. Walls are upholstered with traditional Venetian-style patterned silk fabrics and antique 18^th century Venetian furniture is integrated with state-of-the art 21^st century technology to insure that while you luxuriate in a hydro massage bath, if you need to be in touch with the outside world you can do that and right from your own room or suite.

The Sant’Angelo does not have its own, on-premisses restaurant, but its desirable location makes it an easy walk or gondola ride to any number of excellent restaurants in the city (see Ristorante Antico Pignolo and De Pisis). A very nice breakfast is served in a beautifully appointed breakfast room, and the bar - right across the entrance from the reception - serves very credible Bellinis and espresso coretto (short Italian espresso coffee “corrected” with a shot of Grappa). Noteworthy is the bar’s collection of exquisite Grappas, Single Malt Whiskies, Cognacs and, of course, great Prosecco is always available. It is said location is everything and in this case I must concur. Opening the massive balcony doors in our room and stepping out on a sparkling clear breezy September afternoon just in time to catch the setting sun over the unobstructed view of the Grand Canal was priceless. And, speaking of price, rates include the buffet breakfast that, during our stay, was somewhere better than a Continental but short of an English breakfast, and included lovely Venetian pastries. Plus you can have your breakfast served in your room by your balcony or in the breakfast room which is sided by a lateral canal just off the lobby; so either way you can watch the boats glide by while you enjoy your morning coffee.

While the physical attributes of the Sant’Angelo are many, it was the hands-on approach by the General Manager, Paolo Morra, in overseeing each detail of the hotel’s daily operation that was impressive. Senior Morra is young, enthusiastic, experienced, and dedicated to insuring that his guests receive every attention to their needs, by a staff hand picked and personally trained by him. The reception is manned (or in this case many times womanned) by a multilingual staff that is very knowledgeable and ready to accommodate with information and directions.

I have stayed in many so called De Luxe properties and while there are certain standards required to be awarded that category, the attention to the comfort and traveling needs of women travelers have set, in my mind, some hotels above the others. Small things, like a well lighted make-up mirror and full length mirror in the dressing area, sufficient pant and skirt hangers as well as an easy access in-room safe, really make a difference. Palazzo Sant’Angelo went one step further. At the nightly turn down service, along with the ubiquitous bon bon and linen mat by the side of the bed, was a card giving the next day’s weather forecast and temperature. This gesture was really appreciated especially during spring and fall transitional weather times.

So while I began this review with a traveler advisory, for those of you that can pay a return visit to Venice during off season and before the onset of winter or summer, by all means go for a few days and allow Venice to work its magic on you.

© October 2006 LuxuryWeb Magazine. All rights reserved.