Hotel Londra Palace

Romantic waterfront hotel near Piazza San Marco This five story hotel has 53 air conditioned guestrooms. The high ceilinged rooms are appointed with silk covered walls, 19th century Biedermeier furniture, and gilt framed original oil paintings. Each room has a 21 inch satellite TV with Internet access (surcharge). Bathrooms of yellow and orange marble have bathrobes, slippers, telephones, makeup mirrors, bidets, gold faucets, and heated towel racks. About two thirds of the rooms have lagoon views, and some rooms have balconies or terraces. Complimentary newspapers are available on request. What to expect: Occupying three snow white 19th century buildings, this romantic hotel overlooks the Venetian Lagoon. Palladio's 16th century San Giorgio Maggiore Church stands directly opposite. Rocco Magnoli, architect of Versace's boutiques, oversaw the hotel's extensive 1999 renovation. The stylish lobby is appointed with ornamental columns and a mix of traditional and contemporary Venetian glass. The Londra Palace is popular with European and American couples celebrating special occasions.

Amenity highlights: The hotel's Ristorante Do Leoni serves sophisticated Venetian cuisine in a handsome room with a stone mosaic floor and a wall of windows overlooking the lagoon. The outdoor waterfront terrace is popular in summer, and the expertly mixed house cocktails are well worth sampling.

Insider tip: In 1877, Tchaikovsky wrote the first three movements of his Fourth Symphony in the hotel's Room 106. He nicknamed his work Do Leoni, the lions symbolizing London and Venice. Immediately outside the hotel is an equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II, first king of a unified Italy, supported by stone lions. The white marble Hotel Londra Palace has 100 windows overlooking the Venetian Lagoon. The restaurant, a destination for guests and other visitors to Venice, overlooks the lagoon. A light filled lounge area just off the lobby has a 19th century Biedermeier desk, four antique chairs, and sofas upholstered in red velvet and green silk. The hotel serves a complimentary breakfast buffet daily. In summer, breakfast, dinner, and cocktails are served on the large terrace in front of the hotel, facing the water. The hotel serves a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning.

Ristorante Do Leoni Sophisticated Venetian cuisine is served in this dining room with a stone mosaic floor and a wall of windows overlooking the lagoon. Walls covered in green silk, green and cream tablecloths, and fresh flowers complete the decor.

The Bar Six green marble tables with leather chairs are arrayed in front of a glass columned bar. The house cocktail, the Laguna, is made