Messner Palace Venice

DO NOT GO For a small price increase, there are miles better hotels in Venice, and they are well worth it. Mold, dust, smell. Checked out immediately.

This is a 3 star hotel posing as a 4 star, be aware of this when you book. We arrived as a couple on a Saturday afternoon and found out in the evening that neither toothbrushes or toothpaste are supplied in any form at the hotel. This is despite the hotel receptionist telling me candidly all shops are closed past 9pm, so the hotel is aware of this not being a problem to solve via a late night shop visit. I also noted the poor condition of the bathroom sink which was a push away from dislodging entirely, but this is a smaller issue than the toothbrush one mentioned. For what it’s worth, the receptionist told me the manager has previously been made aware of the toothbrush issue by other guests and has chosen to not address it. Therefore, I find myself writing a negative review I otherwise wouldn’t have, so book at your own peril.

We booked a three night break in a superior room. Arrived around 10.30pm. Went to reception only to be told that we could only stay in the room for one night and then had to move. Not happy. Told them will not be moving. Was then showed to our room which was the other side of another hotel called “SONOR” This hotel looked really nice, but our accommodation was in a very delapidated building. On our way up to our room on the 2nd floor we noticed a lot of plaster on the walls was falling off and being trodden into the worn carpet. Opened the door to what was supposed to be our Superior room. However, it was like student accommodation. As basic as it could be. No plug for bath. No hot water, One insect blind not working. Curtain rails but no curtains. Booked a double bed but got two singles pushed together plus two other singles. The whole room needed a good clean and paint. Open wardrobe had broken lower rail and only 4 hangers. Bleak bathroom with some tiles on floor missing. Holes where fixtures and shelves were once there. No hand rail by bath which was very slippery with no safety mat. Light over basin not working. No info book in room about facilities or local places of interest etc., Wall mounted TV but no remote control. AC did not work. No phone in room. Can honestly say, this room was the worst that we have seen in 50 plus years of travelling. As it was late, went down for a quick drink and started talking to a couple of americans. All of a suddon a rat jumped or fell out of the climbing bush. While we were sitting talking we saw a total of 6 rats. Went down for breakfast in the morning. No orange juice, No hot water for tea. We had a full day out and came back, changed for dinner. It was a decent meal and waiter was very polite but did not ask if we wanted side orders, desert, coffee etc. after serving, just left us to it. a few more rats seen running around but we were used to it now. Went to bed and came down for breakfast next day, which was the same low standard as day before. Out all day, came back and changed for dinner. I ordered a grilled steak which you could not cut and was very chewy, so left it. not until the end did the waiter come round and asked if everything okay. I replied ‘no, terrible, could not cut or eat’. Waiter went off and came back and confirmed he had taken the meal off the bill and would not be any charge. That was fine but did not ask if I wanted something else to eat. NOTE ---- This is a ONE/TWO star hotel and not 4 star as advertised. BEWARE BEWARE

I waited about a week after leaving to write this review so that it would be objective and not emotional. I can honestly say the best feature of this hotel was it's proximity to the Salute water bus stop. The pictures online are glossy and photo shopped. The actual hotel is very worn and dated. The carpet and wall covering in the room were faded and worn. They have signs posted that rooms will not be cooled below 26 degrees Celsius (78.8 degrees Fahrenheit!) so nights are miserable! We did have the option of opening the windows but that would have let in mosquitoes. The bathroom is the size of a small closet and anyone of any size will have a hard time maneuvering. The bathroom also was NOT clean. There was hair on the wall under the sink, the sink leaked, and part of the shower stall was chipped off. We informed staff about the leak shortly after checking in but it was never fixed.

We have stayed at dozens of hotels in Europe, Costa Rica, Canada and the USA, this is without doubt the worst hotel at which we have ever stayed. Perhaps the last thorough maintenance for hotel was done twenty-years ago. Sarcastically, I would to say pre-WWII. The beds were mere army cots with deteriorated mattresses. Who knows when the blankets and pillows were last laundered. The carpet was stained with something in red which we chose to ignore. The mosquitoes were well-fed and the A.C. dyed. The breakfast that the website offered does not exist. We left one-day earlier than anticipated due to the conditions of the hotel. On the positive side, the location, over which the hotel has no control, was good. Water ferries were a short walk away.

This property is not the property as advertised. The location is about. 15-20 min walk from the main attractions in Venice, however it is located conveniently close to a Vaporetto (water bus) stop that you can navigate. This property is a collection of buildings, my review is only about the room I had which is in the primary building, but I would guess the same applies to all. The property itself did not have access to laundry or breakfast services as offered. The interior has received no attention for what seems like at least two decades and is tired and worn out. Hot water is sporadic at best, mattresses are paper thin along with the pillows. There are better options available at a similar price point. I would avoid this one.

This is a hotel that is not running in proper condition. Paint flakes from the ceiling, door handles fall off, shower drain is clogged. Most definitely not ideal for the price I paid.