48 Hours at Hotel Papadopoli, Venice
There are many ways of exploring a new destination. A few years ago I thought that I need to check every sight on the list in order to be able to say I have been there. However, the pandemic has changed my point of view on travel. We have to travel more consciously and do some things we never tried before. Rather than rushing through museums and crowded spots, I recently found myself hopping from one amazing al fresco F&B outlet to the next one. The city I am talking from is Venice and it is no secret I skipped the doge’s palace and headed towards the Riva Lounge to enjoy local white wine while watching water taxis making their way in between gondolas and water busses. My friend and I were up for a very laid-back weekend in Venice, having 72 hours to completely indulge in the city of canals. While I was hesitant at first if three nights aren’t too long, in the end, I am happy we didn’t have to rush and could enjoy the city from very different angles in various settings. One of the biggest surprises was the hotel we spent the first two nights at – the Hotel Papadopoli Venezia.
Part of Accor’s MGallery hotels and resorts, the lovely boutique hotel is located at a strategically important position in Venice. Just a five-minute walk from Piazzale Roma - where you will be arriving by car, bus and tram - and still close to the old town and St Mark’s Square, easily reachable on foot within half an hour. Since we arrived by car, the hotel has arranged a spot at Parking San Marco which was an easy seven-minute walk away. On the other hand, this short distance means that you won’t be able to enjoy the luxury of a water taxi. You are better off doing the short walk including two bridge-crossings with all your suitcases and stuff by yourself – so better pack light and bring comfortable shoes. Once we arrived at the hotel, we were warmly welcomed by the front desk staff. Check-in was quick and friendly plus we got a map with already pinned restaurant recommendations by the hotel. After being handed over the keys we were shown the way to the elevators and informed that we have received one of the property’s most wonderful rooms.
Situated on the first floor, our Executive Suite definitely exceeded all our expectations. Already the light-filled living room convinced us with a spacious layout, a vast velvet sofa, a writing desk with a minibar as well as a Bowers Wilkins Zeppelin Bluetooth speaker. Moving further, we discovered a wonderful bedroom with an extremely heavenly double bed as well as a bathtub next to the television. The bathroom was just next to the bed, divided by a sliding door and came with a bidet, toilet, single vanity and rainfall walk-in shower. A pleasant surprise were the amazingly fresh toiletries by Acqua di Parma’s Arancia di Capri line. Housekeeping was excellent and even did an evening turndown service replacing towels along with the bath amenities. Obviously, Venice is one of the cities that come with no noise during the night as there aren’t any cars or buses. The only disturbance one will register are taxi boats picking up and bringing fellow guests. Other than that you will have the pleasure of just hearing people walking.
Speaking of people walking, that was probably the attraction that we enjoyed most of the time from the private terrace of our suite – which was vast by Venetian standards. We both could have never imagined what a special feeling it was to have a first-floor terrace in a city like Venice. I honestly admit, I would not have paid a superior for having an outdoor space, but in the end, this suite changed my mind totally. There is something very special about the memories we created when we had a bottle of red wine and listened to Italian music while looking at the many people coming and leaving Venice full of fond impressions. Every evening felt a little different and it was better than any Hollywood movie can reproduce. It’s the absolute feeling of living the best Italian life – just impossible to describe in any words.
What followed a long and enjoyable night on the terrace of our suite was a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the hotel’s Giardino d’Inverno downstairs. While I am normally not a fan of hotel breakfasts in Italian cities, due to the many alternatives in local bars and cafés, this time I was happy not needing to leave the hotel after waking up. While it was possible to order egg dishes from a menu, we both didn’t feel the urge to do so since we found the buffet to be very extensive for a hotel of this category. All products were either homemade or of high quality, so we really enjoyed a tasty first meal of the day each morning. Another plus point is the possibility to sit al fresco directly in the Papadopoli Gardens, one of Venice's few green areas and therefore quite unique.
Overall I found the Hotel Papadopoli to be the perfect place to stay for our first time in Venice. I appreciated the spacious suite with a terrace, the proximity to the parking garage and generally the area where the hotel is situated. There are many restaurants around just like Zanze XVI and Estro – both absolutely amazing places with many locals mixed with well-informed travellers. Lastly, I have to highlight the special value for money at the Hotel Papadopoli considering you get a luxury boutique hotel with excellent beds and modern touch that still has the traditional Venice vibe every lover of the city is looking for.
Disclaimer: The stay was provided by Hotel Papadopoli and we were guests of the hotel for editorial purposes. However the above written has not been influenced and represents the author’s own opinion.
