HOTEL PALAZZO STERN

As seasoned travelers, we do not recommend this hotel. Upon entering the beautiful hotel, you will be greeted by two things: first, on the registration desk appears an advertisement for the restaurant at Hotel Locanda Vivaldi, a hotel owned by the same company; second, the hotel has a large display case full of blown glass artwork. Without context, seeing either would not give a guest much cause for concern, but they should. As you check in, the hotel Manager will ask if he can make a dinner reservation for you at Hotel Locanda Vivaldi, and he promises to provide a complimentary water taxi (one-way only). We did have a lovely meal and enjoyed a beautiful view. The meal was expensive, which we expected, and the menu was limited. To this point, we were satisfied, but that would change the next day. The Manager also told us that Palazzo Stern offers complimentary boat rides to the island of Murano to see glass blowing factories in action. He told us it was a two hour round trip and we would also would go to another island to see linens being made, then return to the hotel. The Manager arranged for our trip to Murano on our second day in Venice. The Manager, however, left out critical details. When we arrived at the Murano boat dock, a merchant named Alvarro immediately greeted us – myself, my wife, and our two teenage daughters. He then took us in to watch blown glass being made in his store, Schiavone. After a 30 minute presentation, Alvarro then took us to his showrooms of blown glass items, ranging in cost from €500 for four wine glasses to €5000 for other items. Over the next 30 minutes, Alvarro repeatedly pressured us to buy, and propositioned that I needed to spend a substantial amount of money as a quid-pro-quo for his having shown us the glass blowing process. Only after I told him we were not interested did he tell us we would have to arrange for our own transportation off Murano Island. After paying for our own water bus, we arrived at Palazzo Stern and I spoke with the Night Manager, Mr. Andrea. After listening for a few minutes, the cold-faced Andrea said in a steely voice, “I need you to be more specific – just how did he pressure you'” As I provided further details, Andrea chuckled in a mocking way. After apologizing for chuckling, Andrea said the trips to Murano were something Palazzo Stern did to help support the Murano blown glass trades, and he promised to tell the Manager of our unfortunate experience. The next morning, I passed by the Manager three times, but he said nothing to me at all. When I brought up the coercive tactics of Alvarro, the failure to explain that we would only receive a one-way trip to Murano, and the failure to disclose the arrangement between Palazzo Stern and Schiavone, the Manager coldly explained that Palazzo Stern has an arrangement with the Murano glass blowers’ Association, that the Association pays for the water taxi, and that the Palazzo Stern believes it is wholly appropriate to take its guests to Murano in hopes that they will patronize merchants such as Schiavone. The Manager did say he would discontinue sending guests to Alvarro, but he refused to acknowledge that he and Palazzo Stern failed to inform us, as their guests, that the one-way water taxi was paid for by the Association, there would be pressure-filled expectations to make substantial blown glass purchases, and that neither Palazzo Stern nor the Association would provide return transportation, unless of course you made a substantial purchase. We later observed that Palazzo Stern is filled with blown glass made by Alvarro’s company, Schiavone. As an experienced traveler, I view Palazzo Stern’s conduct as unbecoming of a high-class hotel, and as taking advantage of its guests. Palazzo Stern chooses to conceal from its guests the close and seemingly-collusive relationship between Palazzo Stern and Schiavone. And the management of Palazzo Stern preys on its guests who place some level of trust in what is billed as a five star hotel. Suffice it to say we were deeply disappointed and would strongly recommend not patronizing Palazzo Stern.

We couldn't have chosen a better hotel for our first trip to Venice. It's situated on a quieter part of the Grand Canal but within easy reach of museums, galleries, shops etc. There's also an abundance of restaurants and cafes within a few minutes walk. The vaporetto stop is just to the side of the hotel which is really useful - only 10 minutes to St Mark's Square. The hotel itself is a magnificent building and boasts many interesting features. We stayed in a deluxe room with splendid views across the rooftops. It was furnished in a classic Venetian style and the large bed was really comfortable. Breakfast on the terrace in the morning was always an excellent start to the day with a wide choice of food on offer. All the staff were very pleasant, polite and attentive and we can't recommend the Palazzo Stern highly enough.

Beside the friendly staff and the amazing location I loved also the location, which is a bit outside the large tourist ways. For the breakfast on the terrace I recommend to have an additional waiter just to manage the pigeons.

This is my boyfriend's and my first trip to Venice and we wanted it to be special- we are in our thirties if that helps :-) Unfortunately one of my luggage didn't make it to Venice but the hotel warmly greeted us at 1am! And then took charge of calling the airport for my luggage while we went out to enjoy this beautiful city the next day - Thank you Andreas! The staff were super friendly and helpful - they made dinner recommendations and organized a complimentary boat trip to one of the glass factories on Murano. Even more the location is perfect! One of the water taxi stops is right outside the hotel but what was the best was the local square down the alley from the hotel where my boyfriend and I started our day with an expresso and croissant watching the daily lives of Venetians (the delivery guys are amazing to watch do their deliveries) and the tourists. We would love to come back to Venice and will definitely stay here again! Thank you Hotel Palazzo Stern for a great introduction to Venice :-)

Awesome hotel! Beautiful room with a view of the Grand Canal and convenient location. Water bus stop was especially great - just steps from boat to hotel. Staff was extremely courteous and helpful (greatly appreciated since we spent a lot of time lost in Venice)!