Bauer Il Palazzo - Venice, Italy - Bauer Il Palazzo is a five-star luxury class hotel in Venice located just a few minutes from the Piazza San Marco. Situated in an original 18th century Venetian palace on the Grand Canal, this boutique hotel has two entrances, a private jetty on the Grand Canal and a doorway in the Calletta dei XIII Martiri, a quiet street, making it easily accessible whether you are coming by boat or by foot. This beautifully restored hotel is a member of the “Small Luxury Hotels of the World” chain. (Click here to see all 26 pictures of Bauer Il Palazzo in Venice.)

A family heirloom, the Bauer Il Palazzo is decorated with antique tapestries by Bevilacqua and Rubelli. The hotel has a luxurious décor and is well appointed with 18th-century antiques and contemporary European art from the past and present. The hotel’s arched lancet windows offer unsurpassed views of the islands of San Giorgio and the church of Santa Maria della Salute. Bauer Palazzo offers 35 deluxe double rooms and 40 suites.

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First Impression/Lobby: We had arranged for a transfer from the airport. We were met promptly at the airport and quickly escorted to the waiting car. As soon as the luggage was loaded, we were whisked to a waiting water taxi for the approximately 30 minute ride to the hotel. Upon our arrival at Bauer Palazzo, we were quickly greeted and instantly shown the suite. The lobby was small and decorated with wood panelling. It was somewhat dark. I did not have much time to really take it all in as we barely spent time in the lobby.

Reception: The check-in process was efficient and quick. In fact, all it required was a couple of signatures and we were on our way to our Executive-Suite-with-view.

The Suite: Our Suite (Executive-Suite-with-view) was decorated lavishly with original Murano-glass chandeliers, gilt mirrors and refined fabrics.

The wood panelled and marbled floored living room was spacious with a cushy couch and two side chair, and a TV hidden in the adjacent bar. Two large windows (which opened wide to let in fresh Venetian air and sound of the canals and streets below) offered views of the Grand Canal).

The bedroom was simply yet elegant with a rich brown bedspread and barren walls except for one portrait of what I am guessing is an ancestor of the hotel owners from decades if not centuries ago. It also had a large window that gave us a side view of the Grand Canal as well.

The bathroom was decorated in Italian marble with exclusive toiletries of Santa Maria degli Angeli and double vanity. And it offered a standalone shower, plus a large, deep soaking tub.

The only real complaint I had about our suite was the view. We had booked this suite only because we knew this was a Canal View Suite. However, instead of a direct canal view, our windows faced the side of the hotel, giving us a side view of the canal. While this side view was nice, it paled in comparison to the views we had when we stayed at Hotel Danieli, Hotel Gritti Palace and the Westin Europa.

Room Service: Room service was available 24 hours a day at the Bauer Palazzo, but being short on time, we did not have the opportunity to try it.

Housekeeping: The housekeeping was top notch, with the daily service executed to perfection. In addition to this, the Bauer Palazzo also offered a nightly turn-down service. During this service, our suite was prepared for bedtime by folding down the covers of the bed and turning on the lights to a low level. The suite was neatly maintained at all times.

Concierge: The concierge was highly knowledgeable and consistently gave good recommendations and always followed up in a timely fashion. The concierge, along with his staff, was an expert in arranging for some great meals with just short notice. As I always say, a good concierge is a sign of a true five-star hotel.

Restaurant: The Settimo Cielo is an elegant breakfast lounge with a spectacular roof terrace. This roof terrace is the highest one in Venice and offers magnificent panoramic views of the city. We had a lovely view of Venice and the Grand Canal from the terrace while having our breakfast. However, the buffet breakfast did not live up to expectations. The offering was definitely not impressive, especially for a place as grand as the Bauer Palazzo. While they offered Champagne and eggs to order, the rest of the buffet was very unimpressive. After the positive reviews about the buffet breakfast on Venice Trip Advisor, I was definitely expecting more.

The restaurant De Pisis offers gourmet Venetian and Mediterranean cuisine. It is possible to dine either indoors or on the outdoor terrace. However, other than the breathtaking view, this restaurant did not have anything going for itself. The main dishes were decent at best while the dessert and service were a huge disappointment. Again, the positive reviews about this restaurant on Venice Trip Advisor were in perfect contrast to our actual experience. Bauer Palazzo’s cosy Bar Canale is set on a terrace overlooking the Grand Canal and Chiesa della Salute.

Pool/Spa/Activities: A private fitness club & spa featuring a rooftop jacuzzi, fitness centre, sauna, steam room and massage treatments are available at this hotel. Wi-Fi is available in public areas. Professional trainers, masseurs and masseuses are available on request. The health spa offers massage/treatment rooms and beauty services.

Check-Out: As with everything else at Bauer Palazzo, the check-out process was quick, efficient and extremely professional.

Overall Impression: The two big issues that has kept Bauer Palazzo from receiving our highest rating were the view from our suite and the buffet breakfast. If both of those had been at par with the surrounding five-star, luxury hotels, Bauer Palazzo would have received our highest rating. Since these were not up to mark, our rating for Bauer Palazzo is Bombastic.

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