Hotel: The Bauer Il Palazzo, Venice

Address: San Marco 1413/d, Venice 30124, Italy

Website: www.ilpalazzovenezia.com or www.bauervenezia.com

TraveLife ranking:

Rooms: 91 guest rooms and 18 suites.

Room rates: $400+

Awards: Routinely awarded accolades as one of Venice’s best hotels for ambience and service.

Highlights: If Italy still had a royal family, Il Palazzo would be their Buckingham Palace. The fact Italy has no monarchy, though, means simple subjects like us get to be treated like kings and queens at Il Palazzo - one of two Venetian properties that have been joined together to make one great hotel - the Bauer. Public area rooms in the historic Il Palazzo portion of the hotel are lined with 18th-century Venetian lacquered panels adorned with Chinese motifs and priceless works of art. By contrast, the newer Bauer's lobby at the back of the property is usually crowded with the tour bus set. But don't be fooled, the Bauer is also considered one of Venice's top hotels and its 97 rooms, while not as lavishly decorated as Il Palazzo's, still offer guests spacious surroundings.

History: Considered Venice's most historic property, the Bauer, which overlooks the Grand Canal, is made up of the 18th-century Il Palazzo and a 1940s-style property called the Bauer, which is located at the back of the former palace.

Interior highlights: Entering Il Palazzo was once described by a magazine writer "as stepping into a Renaissance painting where you become part of the multi-colored tapestries woven with traditional 17th-century motifs that are stretched across walls or turned into bed spreads."  It's a good description of a hotel that looks more like one of this city's amazing museums.

In the next room:  Il Palazzo's discreet entrance off the Grand Canal - it also has its own private boat dock - is a place where you might bump into a Hollywood type like Catherine Deneuve (the French actress refuses to stay anywhere else when she visits Venice) or Jeremy Irons, the distinguished British actor who sat lost in thought enjoying a drink at a table next to ours on Il Palazzo's wonderful terrace.

The rooms:  The 35 spacious rooms and 40 oversized suites that make up Il Palazzo look like they are waiting for a royal family to check in. Trust us, the royals would feel right at home surrounded by antique furniture, cloth-covered walls and marble floors that extend into updated bathrooms featuring all the latest amenities.  Original chandeliers cast their light on cocoa silk and pink brocade in Il Palazzo's brightly painted suites, the largest
of which is the $3,000 a night Royal Suite. 

Amenities: As part of a recent upgrade, a new fitness centre offering steam rooms and massage treatment rooms was added to Il Palazzo along with a rooftop Jacuzzi where guests can relax while taking in the great views.

Restaurants:  Il Palazzo's terrace gourmet restaurant De Pisis offers spectacular views of the Grand Canal and the beautiful 17th-century church Santa Maria della Salute, the second largest structure of its kind in the city next to St. Mark's Cathedral. However, the wonderful culinary creations offered up at De Pisis will no doubt keep your attention during an evening of fine dining. Dishes like steamed bass ravioli and loin of seasoned lamb with aubergines and pak-choi will have you drooling with delight days after your visit.  The hotel's Settimo Cielo restaurant is located on Il Palazzo's roof and has been described by some as "seventh heaven." It certainly offers heavenly views of the domed-filled Venetian skyline. It's only open for breakfast - what a way to start the day!

Shopping: The labyrinth of small, narrow streets that run behind this hotel twosome offer some of the best shopping anywhere in the world. Chic is the term used when describing these fashion and mask shops.

Close by: Your just moments away from the wonders of St. Mark’s Square and the Bauer entrance on San Marco street is where you can hop into one of the city’s famed gondolas.

Tips: Because of its location, this is a great place to base yourself in Venice. The city’s best attractions are all within easy walking distance. The city’s famous glass shops can be found around almost every corner from the hotel. Try to avoid taking a gondola, though. The price demanded does not equal the thrill.