Locanda SS. Giovanni e Paolo

Davide Taddeo, the friendly proprietor of the Locanda SS. Giovanni e Paolo, immediately offered us coffee when we walked in the front door. However, he refused to sip a cup himself: "Never coffee this close to lunchtime!" he said. Fair enough. Taddeo certainly seems to be a traditionalist, and his six-room pension aims to maintain the feel of the 18th-century palazzo that houses it.

Quick read

Pros: Clean and comfortable. Good value. Excellent location.

Cons: Can be noisy. No elevator.

Rooms

Rooms at the Locanda SS. Giovanni e Paolo are spacious and decorated in soft colors and Venetian style. Delicately painted wood, Murano light fixtures, curtains fluttering in the tall windows, and warm cotto tiles complete the look.

Each room is equipped with air conditioning (from June through September), a safe and little else (no TVs or phones here).

Bathrooms

The private bathrooms are small, but spotless. Each offers a hair dryer and basic toiletries.

Hotel

Situated a quick walk from the Rialto Bridge, Santa Maria Formosa and San Marco, the Locanda SS. Giovanni e Paolo is indisputably “Venice.” The lobby is pretty and bright, with wood-beamed ceilings and a massive Murano chandelier. And there's even a mosaic of the saints for which the hotel was named.

Breakfast is included in the room rate. Wi-Fi is free in the public areas. Note that, like most Venetian hotels, the Giovanni e Paolo does not have an elevator.