An article that starts with the words ‘Where to stay in’ is usually a sales pitch of some kind. I’m afraid I start looking for the vested interest.
So the title for this piece should really have been…
‘Here’s a nice hotel we found when we stayed in Venice recently.’
But that would be to obscure my intention to sing the praises of an entire island.
I’m sure you have heard the many horror stories about how busy the city of Venice gets, how overcrowded it is in summer and how it has almost turned into a Disney parody of itself. Indeed, just this week, local residents have taken to the streets or rather the waterways to protest at the enormous cruise ships that dwarf the city and disgorge thousands of passengers at a time, all seemingly hell bent on heading for Piazza St Marco for a selfie or two.
And Venice can be like that. Pick the wrong day or the wrong place and your visit will be overwhelmed by tourist hordes. But Venice has plenty of places more civilised than San Marco or the Rialto Bridge.
One of those peaceful havens is the island of Giudecca. The island is large, being narrow and approximately two kilometres in length.
A short vaporetto ride is rewarded with stunning views back across to the main island. A long, wide and largely uncluttered promenade leads from the patrol ships of the Guardia Finanzia to the Hilton Hotel with it’s open air, rooftop pool and eighth floor Skyline Bar. The island is a haven of peace and tranquility.
On the promenade and in the many backstreets you will find peaceful bars and small restaurants that cater to a more relaxed clientele.
We stayed in the Bauer Palladio which was entirely wonderful. The food was excellent, the rooms were first rate and you may breakfast in the lovely and rather extensive gardens. Add on a private shuttle boat to the main island and you have a peaceful and relaxing stay a ten minute boat ride away from the hustle and bustle of St Marks Square.
Bliss.
Details…