Hotel Al Ponte Antico, Venice
More photosHotel Al Ponte Antico is a hidden gem tucked away in a restored 16th-century palace, offering an intimate look at Venetian history. This family-run boutique hotel features only nine guest rooms, each uniquely named after one of Venice’s famous bridges, such as the Ponte dell’Accademia. The property is renowned for its warm, personalized service and opulent décor, complete with brocade fabrics and original wood-beamed ceilings.
The real showstopper is the hotel’s private terrace, which offers a breathtaking, unobstructed view of the Grand Canal and the iconic Rialto Bridge. Guests can enjoy breakfast here while watching the gondolas drift by, providing a truly magical start to the day. The building itself maintains a historic charm that feels worlds away from the busy tourist trails, despite being in such a central location.
Situated in the heart of Venice, the hotel is just steps from the bustling Rialto Bridge and the historic Rialto Market, where you can find fresh local produce and authentic atmosphere. It is also within walking distance of St. Mark’s Square and the grand Doge’s Palace.
For those wanting to explore further, the hotel is perfectly positioned near the Malibran Theater and the charming squares of the Cannaregio district. Whether you are wandering through the nearby hidden alleys of Castello or taking a short walk to the Basilica, the hotel serves as an incredibly peaceful and historic home base in the floating city.
Expert reviews
“Like a courtesan’s boudoir, this 16th-century palazzo is swathed in damask wall coverings, heavy silk curtains and thick, plush carpets. A smiling host greets you at the padded, golden reception desk and whisks you up to large, unabashedly lavish rooms with enough gilt to satisfy Louis XIV.”
“This 16th-century palace inn has lined its Gothic windows with tiny white lights, creating an inviting glow that’s emblematic of the hospitality and sumptuous surroundings that await you inside.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Venice.
“Yes it’s expensive, but this is one of the best, most exclusive hotels in Venice, steps from the Rialto Bridge, with a private wharf on the Grand Canal—forget those giant five-stars, to indulge your James Bond fantasy, look no further.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Venice.
What guests liked
- Rialto Bridge
- Friendly staff
- Great food
- Great location
- Comfortable beds
Location
Recent guest reviews
28 December 2025
Fabulous
17 August 2025
Exceptional
19 April 2025
Exceptional
12 November 2024
Passable
Location and breakfast were great. Staff hospitality was excellent
The bed needed to be replaced. Air conditioning unit was filthy
23 October 2024
Welcoming gem of a hotel
Great staff and fantastic breakfast
Hotel facilities
Services
- - Room service
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
- - Luggage storage
- - Airport shuttle (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Food & Drink
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
Outdoors
- - Terrace
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Heating
- - Air conditioning
Transport
- - Airport pick up (additional charge)
- - Airport drop off (additional charge)
Miscellaneous
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Thermometers for guests provided by property
- - Face masks for guests available
Other Venice hotels
Bauer Palazzo, Venice
Hotel Bauer Palazzo stands as a historic icon in the heart of Venice, originally founded in 1880. Its main building, which overlooks the Grand Canal, was famously redesigned between 1900 and 1902 by architect Giovanni Sardi. The structure is a masterpiece of eclectic neo-Gothic style, incorporating rare architectural fragments from a 15th-century Arabo-Byzantine building that once occupied the site.
CNN“The Bauer used to be two hotels, joined by a communal lobby: the 1940s brutalist Bauer L’Hotel, and the more classical 18th-century Il Palazzo, right on the Grand Canal. 2017 saw them come together to form a single property — and with 200 rooms at its disposal, it’s a winning combination.”
Ca’ Pisani Hotel, Venice
The Ca’ Pisani Hotel is a true Venetian gem, famously known as the city’s first "design hotel." Housed within a beautifully restored 14th-century merchant’s townhouse in the artistic Dorsoduro district, it offers a fascinating contrast. While the historic exterior remains true to its centuries-old roots, the interiors were completely reimagined during a renovation between 1998 and 2000 to highlight bold 1930s and 40s Art Deco and Futurist influences.
CNN + 1 more“As befits its status in the Design Hotels fold, this is a bold modernization of a 500-year-old merchant’s house on Dorsoduro, near the Accademia. Not too modern, mind you; it’s been entirely redone in Art Deco style, with furniture from the 1930s and 1940s, and futurist art on the walls by Fortunato Depero.”
Hotel Danieli, Venice
Hotel Danieli is an iconic Venetian landmark, famously comprised of three interconnected palaces, the oldest of which, Palazzo Dandolo, dates back to the 14th century. Once the home of a noble family that produced four Doges, it was converted into a hotel in 1822 by Giuseppe Dal Niel, who gave the property his nickname, "Danieli." Over the centuries, its opulent halls have hosted legendary figures ranging from Charles Dickens and Wagner to Maria Callas.
CNN“Few hotels can match the Danieli — an icon for all the right reasons. From the glorious old-school concierge desk to the rooftop restaurant with 270-degree views from the prisons of the Doge’s Palace to the lagoon and Riva degli Schiavoni all the way to Sant’Elena and the Lido.”
Hotel Locanda Vivaldi, Venice
Hotel Locanda Vivaldi is a refined boutique hotel housed in a historic building that carries a fascinating musical legacy. It was once the residence of the legendary composer Antonio Vivaldi, also known as "The Red Priest." Vivaldi spent much of his life teaching and composing just next door at the conservatory of the Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, where iconic works like The Four Seasons were first performed.
CNN“Most of the 27 rooms have views — either of the side canal or the lagoon itself. The look is traditional — heavy drapes and deep colors — and for those wanting a more home-from- home experience, the hotel also has a hot tub-equipped apartment, Ca’ Bollani, in an adjacent building.”
11 March 2026
Exceptional