Hotel Al Ponte Dei Sospiri by Jamie Dunford Wood

A brand new hotel from the Italian group Charming srl, this is a welcome addition to what Venice can offer. A tiny place, well located in a quiet (at nighttime, anyway) alley behind St Marks and the Bridge of Sighs, it offers just 8 rooms, all junior suites, in a restored 17thC house (the ‘palace’ of their brochure is going too far). Marble floored and furnished with Venetian antiques, glass chandeliers, fine fabrics, silk wall coverings and canopied beds, this little hotel takes the pensione concept to luxury level, although how they got their 4 stars we don’t know, as facilities, restaurant etc have they none. However, each room does have a PC and internet access, which is an interesting twist. Breakfast is served in your room. If you’re only intending to sleep in your hotel and spend the day out, it provides elegant lodgings. At a price.