Agree, could be better

The hotel is in an excellent position just behind St Marks Square. The room was large and clean. However, we were also caught out with the 'free' trip to Morano, a quick demonstration of glass blowing then a tour of the showroom, stalked by a salesman. A waste of time.

The staff both at reception and in the restaurant at breakfast are indifferent and do not in any way try to be helpful. It is a shame, becaues although it is a nice hotel this would put me off going back.

Could be so much better!

My wife and I stayed at the San Marco Palace in May 2004. The Hotel is wonderfully situated, a stones throw from St Mark's Square and within easy walking distance of most attractions.

The rooms at the hotel are of a high standard. Our suite was spacious with a pleasant view of the canal below.

Although we were delighted with our rooms we were less than enamoured of a number of staff, and an arrangement they appear to have with a glass factory on a neighboring island. Before we had time to draw breath we were offered a free trip across the lagoon which we foolishly accepted. It resulted in an escorted and rather uncomfortable tour of a glass factory. We would suggest that unless you want the hard sell, and a free trip, you decline their kind offer and visit at your leisure.

Finally, we would concur with a previous reviewer that the staff attitude leaves a lot to be desired. I don't recall a hello or good morning at any breakfast during our visit.

We did, however not let these negative issues impact on what was a wondeful holiday.

Can't wait to return to Venice. Need to earn some serious money first though!

Nice hotel

This hotel is nice. It has large rooms, nice bathrooms and is walking distance to St. Mark's Square. The breakfast buffet is adequate, and the staff was helpful. Would probably try a different hotel if I go to Venice again, but would not discourage people from staying at this hotel.

Loved Venice, Hotel Terrible!

We stayed in The San Marco Palace during March 2004. The location of the hotel was excellent, a few steps from St Marks Square. The rooms were a generous size with a little hallway, a lounge , bedroom and bathroom - there was also a little 'kitchenette' - more about that later. The day we arrived the lift was broken and remained that way for 2 days. We were on the fourth floor and incurred the wrath of the porter for asking for assistance with our bags. However we soon found that this was in no way unusual, in fact all the staff, particularly the reception staff, were equally rude to us and other guests. The rooms had a microwave and 2 little heating rings, however there was no crockery, pots, pans, not even a teaspoon. So if you do stay here please remember to bring your own. We only wanted to make a cup of tea and so asked for teacups and a kettle (we had our own teabags) it took 6 requests from 5 different members of staff over 2 days to have this simple request granted. The breakfast was beyond mediocre, once the 'buffet' was depleted it was not refreshed, coffee cold and croissants slightly stale.Please note also that the 4 person suite that we stayed in was in fact the smallest suite in the hotel (smaller than the 2 or 3 person suites!) and was at the rear of the hotel. Our early morning alarm call was that of a pnematic drill and workmen shouting at each other.We are a couple who are in their early thirties, and we travelled with my husband's parents who are in their sixties and had their own suite. We were all treated with equal contempt.

Beautiful accomodations, excellent location

After reading about all of the small hotel rooms we would encounter in Italy, we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the accomodations at San Marco Palace. The room was more like an apartment with a living area, dining area, kitchen nook, two bedrooms and one bathroom. Had a balcony overlooking a canal and had a view of the top of the bell tower at San Marco Square. Easy walk to vaperetto. Would absolutley stay here again.

Like a dream come true, a vacation in itself

This is the place to stay if you wish to be centrally located in Venice, yet quietly positioned on a backwater canal, in the height of spaciousness and comfort. This hotel has legitimate claim to being the only all-suites hotel in Venice proper, but the American generic concept of a "suites property" does not come close to preparing guests for the delights of staying here. The suites are GIGANTIC! Ours had at least seven windows between the living room and the bedroom, with a partial view of the San Marco church on one side. It was a vacation just hanging out in the suite, with gorgeous wood floors and antiqued furniture. Comfortable beds, wood-slat shutters, completely modern plumbing, a microwave, refrigerator, and effortless climate control guarantee great lounging as well as a great night's sleep. Even though this place is relatively expensive, it can price out well compared to other deluxe hotels with alot less room space, since kids-stay-for-free is a foreign concept in Venice. Prices to stay here vary tremendously on the Web, and exceptional bargains are available if you hunt. The included breakfast buffet was mediocre but not bad for Venice. Several among the concierge staff were less than friendly when we refused to bow to pressure to take a "free tour" of Murano, but that's a common scam in Venice. Even with that thorn in the side, this was a five star experience.