Venice hotel, close to the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal

Hotel Palazzo Bembo, Venice

This Venice (Venezia) hotel is perfectly situated at the Rialto Bridge, with fantastic views of the Grand Canal and the famed clock tower in nearby St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). The piazza is the largest urban space in Venice and was dubbed the 'drawing room of Europe' by no less than Napoleon Bonaparte, who marvelled at the melting pot that was, and is, Venice. The Rialto Bridge, right in front of the hotel, is perhaps the oldest and most famous of the 400 bridges in Venice today, crossing the Grand Canal. The hotel is well-placed for access to Venice's public transport (largely waterborne of course) and guests can easily walk to the nearby piazza and the Rialto market.

This three-star Venetian hotel, built in the 14th century, is a great example of Venice's celebrated Gothic architecture. An actual palace, it was built by an ancient Venetian family, the Bembos, whose name it keeps today. This is an exclusive three-star hotel in Venice: there are only six rooms at the Palazzo Bembo, and it is a great opportunity to see an ancient city and stay in part of its history at the same time. The Bembos were traders and built their palazzo alongside the Riva Del Carbon, in order to import and export coal to the town. This heritage contributes hugely to the hotel's charm today.

Each of the six rooms is decorated in traditional Venetian style, and although the hotel takes its guests back to the old world, nothing is lost in terms of modern comforts. All rooms have television and internet access as well as direct-dial telephones and in-room safes for security. Every room is fully air conditioned and comes with en-suite shower and bath facilities, complete with hairdryer. This hotel in Venice is the ideal destination for those who want to sample a true taste of the traditional city of the Doges.

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Double room from €79