Al Ponte Antico
"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? Once you recover from the surprise that all the super-friendly staff magically know your first name from the moment you arrive, you’ll be bowled over by Ponte Antico's décor: Venetian plush taken to its most playful extreme. Then you get to marvel at the location; after all, there are few more romantic places in the city for sipping an aperitivo than the Ponte Antico’s tiny terrace, which has views over the Rialto. What's the backstory? Members of the Peruch family put their heart and soul into making this a special visitor experience. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? Lofty ceilings with wooden beams, acres of beautiful brocade, and dazzling color schemes make Ponte Antico’s nine amply sized rooms special. The Junior Suite, with its private balcony overhanging the Grand Canal, is hopelessly romantic; another almost at water level brings you marvelously close to the world’s most stunning high street. Even inward-looking classic rooms are spacious. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? There's good, free wi-fi. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? The breakfast at Al Ponte Antico is legendary; guests rave about the things that staff can do with the humble egg. The setting isn’t bad, either, with quaint plush banquettes inside or a little canal-size balcony. And the service? Superlative. Even if you’ve never visited before, you’ll be greeted like long-awaited returning family by staff, who is not only friendly but also highly efficient. What type of travelers will you find here? You’ll find all types at the Ponte Antico, all in agreement about the excellence of these accommodations. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? You couldn’t be more central here, with the Rialto Bridge in view of the terrace. You can pull up to the hotel’s private dock in a water taxi. And you can easily walk just about everywhere. Any other hotel features worth noting? A small bar furnishes key supplies such as sunset aperitivi on the Rialto bridge-facing terrace. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? You’ll be hard-pressed to find service as good as this in any other hotel of its ilk in Venice." - Anne Hanley
