Pensione Accademia - Villa Maravege

"I've stayed at several good hotels in Venice over the decades, and I can honestly say that the Pensione Accademia is my favorite. The hotel is walking distance to several key sights--the Accademia museum, the Grand Canal, the Church of the Salute, and the Guggenheim Collection, to name a few--without the noise and crowds you get at hotels around San Marco or the Rialto. The hotel even has two gardens, an unusual and welcome feature. The rooms are clean and the breakfast is superb. There was a heat wave during my six-day stay and I can report that the a/c works very well. At the reception desk, I met Andrea, Antonio, Giorgia, Jacopo, and Sergio, all of them as friendly and helpful as could be. Not to forget the very kind porter, Giovanni. Venice has often been called La Serenissima (the most serene). The Pensione Accademia lives up to that name, too."

"Really nice typical venice hotel, staff is really friendly and helpfull! We had the best time!"

"Pensione Accademia is the best place to stay in Venice. It is a charming, meticulously maintained old villa at the confluence of the Grand Canal and a small canal. There are spacious leafy green gardens in front and back where you can have breakfast al fresco or relax with a glass of wine. It is a true oasis amidst the crowds of Venice. It is a 5 minute walk from Ca Rezzonico where the Alitalia boat from the airport stops, making the transfer easy and efficient (36 Euros round trip if you buy in advance at the ticket window at the airport where fortunately there are still human beings and not just machines.) It is ideally situated 5 minutes from the marvelous Accademia museum (an uncrowded Uffizi filled with high Renaissance art.). It is a 20 minute walk to Piazza San Marco and a 10 minute walk to San Vidal Church where magnificent musicians perform Vivaldi nightly. The hotel can arrange a free boat trip for a private tour of a glass factory on Murano. Bring your wallet -- you will be tempted by the gorgeous artisan glass. Do not miss Basilica Donato on Murano where a dragon is buried and the floors are covered with superb mosaics! The rooms in the hotel are spacious. The beds are comfortable. All the amenities you may need are available. There is a a delicious and abundant breakfast buffet. A special thank- you to Giovanni who made our stay so pleasant. He grew up in the neighborhood so he has excellent advice on ice cream, restaurants, quiet corners, and similar matters. He is a jack of all trades and a master of hospitality. We have been to Venice many times and this is our favorite place to stay. ."