Joanna M.
Yelp
Location, Location, Location! That's about it for the Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal located directly across the bridge from the Train station, Gondola parking, and several vaporetto stops in Santa Croce, Venice. Very convenient to go anywhere you want to go and there is even a free taxi that the hotel can arrange to take you to Murano if you want but you are most likely on your on for the return trip unless you purchase something and negotiate the glass shop to call the taxi for you. We tipped the driver both times so I doubt the driver minded at all. The hotel is definitely partners a particular glass shop in Murano so if you do oblige for the "free" taxi ride, you will most likely be ushered into Vetreria Artistica Ferro E Lazzarini where you are given a "tour," see how the glass is made and then taken to some of the showrooms where they try to sell you pieces. We were actually looking to buy some authentic Murano glass pieces so this was not a problem for us but just a heads up if this is not up your alley because it could get awkward.
Hotel offers free breakfast but breakfast is not the best- I'd steer clear of the runny eggs, canned fruit, and old pastries. Even their cappuccinos were among the worst I've had in Italy and I thought I had amazing coffee everywhere I went in Italy. If breakfast is subpar, I wouldn't dream to eat at the hotel's restaurant either. Besides, there's plenty of restaurants within walking distance (like within a few hundred feet from the hotel) in either direction that we ate at instead and the food was phenomenal. So you're better off eating the more edible food options for your "free" breakfast and heading out to restaurants for lunch and dinner.
As for the rooms, try and get one with a view of the canal, the view is beautiful but could be a bit more noisy if you're on the lower floors but noise is less of an issue if you're higher up facing the canal. If not, you'll be facing the courtyard and looking at nothing- kind of depressing. As for the rooms and amenities itself, sure Venetian is a theme, but these rooms have not been renovated for YEARS! Beds are dusty and stiff to sleep on. Bathroom tiling looks like it came from a bad 1950s sitcom and that hairdryer, yea that looked like it came from the 1950s too. Don't bother using it because my vacuum cleaner blows more air. There is Free wifi but the connection is not the best as it goes in and out unless you are located in/close proximity to the lobby. Air conditioning units are not the best either. For example, it hardly worked in our room or my parent's room. Air conditioning BROKE in my brother's room, and flooded part of the room and front desk tried to brush it off instead of switching their rooms until my brother said it was FLOODING and they would not stay with their stuff in the room. Front desk could have handled that situation a bit better rather than try to make excuses.
All in all, if you are traveling to/from Venice by train and don't plan on spending much time in the hotel room or don't care about the bed you sleep on, then Hotel Carlton is a good pick OR my suggestion is for the hotel to get an interior decorator/consultant who can preserve the Venetian theme while bringing the hotel and amenities into the 21st century!