I arrived by private water taxi at 9 in the morning. The "double room with side canal or garden view" which I had reserved at the hotel's Web site was not yet ready. The concierge suggested a single room with a view of the lagoon for 130 Euros per night. Initially, I was disappointed because this room was quite small, but when the bellhop opened the windows, there was amazing sunlight, fresh air, and a panoramic water view. There was a pink crystal chandelier on the ceiling and decorative fans on the walls. The room was perfect for me as I was traveling alone. I asked the bellhop to show me my original room (for comparison) and it too was small. It overlooked the side canal and was dark.
The common areas of this hotel are exotic, sumptuous, and breathtaking beyond words. There is a restaurant and I would have liked to have eaten dinner there, but the prices on the menu seemed outrageous to me. The hotel is a short walk to St. Marcos Square. The location is excellent, especially for first time visitors to Venice, but be prepared for hordes of other tourists in the hotel's immediate environs. I visited in the summer.

Inspired by other reviewers at TripAdvisor & Venere[-] we booked 2 nights at the Metropole as we began a 2 week stay in Italy. As with the vast majority of viewers we found the service, location, comfort and character of the Metropole to be one of the best, if not the best, in Venice proper. Will most definitely recommend to friends and return ourselves.

Dined at the Hotel's restaurant our first night and had a lovely experience. The menu is a novelle cuisine twist on traditional Venetian dishes. While not for the weak of heart or bland of palate (sturgeon tartare, lobster ravioli with wasabi sauce, etc.) the 3-course meal was impeccably prepared and presented. The highlight of the meal was the fresh sorbetto with several tasty, not overly sweet sorbetti in unusual flavors (melon, kiwi, currant, mango) presented on a delicious buttery pastry "pallete. " Dinner was a bit pricey (about $300 for a 2.5 hour, 3-course meal, mid-priced wine, dessert & gratuity) but worth it.

It pleases me that reviews, stretching back for a year, of the Venice Hotel Metropole confirm and validate my own laudatory judgement of this fine hotel, and that the only negatives are from New Yorkers and Los Angelese doesn’t surprise me. To judge a review one must know the reviewer. So: I’m single, I’m a man, I’m a Southerner, educated, bourgeois, and speak only a little Italian. I travel Nov-March (the heat and mobs of the remaining year can be found more cheaply and more pleasantly in Buxton, NC ). I try to be gracious, congenial, gentle, soft-spoken, un-pushy, un-tacky – and I expect the same from a hotel’s staff. Bad service I reward not by making a scene: I take my money elsewhere. For special service, however small, I tip generously.

And to judge the reviewer, one must know his circumstances: I was in Venice Jan 2004 and Nov 2004. Note: that means off-season, chilly weather, serious rain, mystical fogs, the distant high Alps sheathed in snow, high water and low numbers, the only crowds Japanese. I had been told that Venice is magical in winter; I was told rightly. For all practical purposes, the city was mine to share with no one. And Solemn Vespers at San Marco, despite the numbers present, could have been for my spiritual benefit alone.

From the Metropole I had nothing but fine service. During my second visit, Signore Aurelio Bon, living up to his name _ good_as_ gold _ , went out of his way to greet me upon my arrival, and for the rest of my stay, he made most of my dinner reservations and site enquiries. Of course, I tipped him for his well-earned help. I had absolutely no problem with the front desk; if no clerk was behind the counter, a warm greeting from me always produced someone willing to help. Even the most seemingly severe clerk gladly made reservations for me to see the Tiepolo frescos at the Palazzo Labia.

My room, a single room, was small, as is typical in Italy. I’ve stayed in smaller rooms in other Italian towns, but few so well furnished, and with a spotless bathroom. Most of the hotel’s rooms are along a canal, some are facing a courtyard, and the rest are on the waterfront overlooking the lagoon. Go off season, and one is more likely to have a room with a lagoon view. The location is central, yet not too central, and quite close to the Bellini at San Zaccaria, the Carpaccio series at San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, and the icons at San Giorgio dei Greci. In front, on the waterfront, the hotel has placed benches to just sit and wonder at the beauty of the lagoon stretching across to the third San Giorgio, or at sunrise when the lagoon turns red, then golden.

Other nice features: The breakfast buffet was lovely and filling, and I did not mind at all my waiting to be seated. The extras cost something, but that’s why they’re extra. The restaurant is fine for a small or large meal, with fine service. What I especially enjoyed and took daily advantage of was the afternoon tea, just what I needed after a day in cold humidity. The lounge was really more like a large parlor than a officious waiting room. And the bar had cigars for the smoking section.

Good restaurants are also nearby: Al Covo, Da Remigio, and Corte Sconta. For a cheap(er) meal with real Venetians, one must hike to the eastern part of the city (a lovely walk) to Trattoria dai Tosi, Secco Marian 738.

I’ll be back to the Metropole. I hope to spend an Easter Vigil at San Marco or in Torcello, to witness the mosaics flickering by the light of a 1000 candles.

Sid Cundiff, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

First of all I must say a big thank you to all of the previous review writers your words inspired me to book this hotel and have one of the most fantastic trips I have had.
As for the Hotel - WOW - beautiful room (325), with a fantastic view over the lagoon. I took my partner as a surprise and on the first night we arrived she refused to leave the tranquil beauty of the hotel surroundings. So we moved down stairs for an evening meal in the gardens. Again fantastic with service to match, there is no attention to detail the people around you miss. One of the most original meals I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. Sensational from start to finish. They even went out of there way for my partner - most people don't know where to start with a Vegan - but they did very well indeed. I was so taken with the romantic surroundings I also chose that as my moment to propose.
Breakfast the following day was as fantastic - serving up a veritable banquette of Cakes, hams, cheeses, and fruit. More than enough to fill yourself on for a pounding the streets of Venice.
Overall a fantastic trip made extra special by the staff and the ambience at the Metropole. I can't thank them enough - I hope you feel the same if and when you go.

By the way - She said yes.