PRICE:
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

Though there's been a pensione on this site since 1290, a recent gutting and rebuilding has made the Sturion into a tastefully moderate hotel managed by the charming Scottish-born Helen and co-owner Flavia. The hotel's reception area is perched four flights (and 69 challenging steps) above the Grand Canal (and, depending on the location of your room, there could be more stairs involved). Unfortunately, only two rooms offer canal views of the Rialto Bridge (as does the delightful breakfast room -- is there a better way to start your day?), and these command higher rates; they are big enough for families or groups of three or four. The other rooms have charming views over the Rialto area rooftops. The hotel is tastefully decorated with 18th-century-inspired Venetian furniture, parquet floors, red carpeting, and rich damask-like wallpaper. The hoteliers also have two apartments nearby, each with a kitchen, for better rates than those for similar accommodations at the Sturion.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Northern Italy, 4th Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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