Hotel Luna Baglioni

Located on Calle dell'Ascensione, small street bordered by a canal opening on Saint-Mark's basin (San Marco district). Saint-Mark's plaza is just 33 feet away (entrance from the archway of the Correr museum).
Vaporetto stop: San-Marco.
The airport is 8 miles away. Take the boat (Aliguna) from Saint-Mark's plaza. Expect a 35-minute trip.

The Luna Baglioni has gone through one of the most remarkable hotelier ascensions. In the 16th century, it was a hostel, the "Locanda della Luna" (or the ''hostel of the moon''): reportedly the first one to open in Venice.
Expanded, improved and well-decorated, this building that does not open directly on the Great Canal, adopted its style in the 18th century: when Tiepolo school painted the beautiful fresco on the ceiling of the ceremonial room, today still used as a dancing room during the Carnival.
The Luna become the Baglioni from the time when it belonged to the Italian chain with the same name. It is well justified in belonging to the Leading Hotels of the World group. 
Lodging advice
Don't move heaven and earth to obtain one of the 8 rooms with a canal view, because they only offer a view of a small water path, with nothing really attractive. You might rather ask to be housed on the 4th or 5th floor. This way you wlll have a view of the roofs of the city, a way better scenic view.

The Baglioni is one of the rare Venetian palaces that is not located on the Great Canal. Discreet entrance (for high-standard hotels) on a side road: once you pass the reception, the interior has a string of corridors, stairs and living-rooms decorated in a princely fashion. In a baroque style, panelling and wrought furniture, paintings with moulded frames, chandeliers and Murano glass wall lamps with fine gold inclusions... Enjoy the hotel as an old palace, a museum. Otherwise, there is not too much to do, since a bodybuilding or a spa are not on the list of the services offered.

Out of the 104 rooms and suites (renovated in 2006), 8 overlook the small Rio del Giardinetti canal, the others are located toward the Giardinetti Reali (pleasant view) or toward a small Venetian street (very narrow and with buildings without windows). The rooms located on the upper levels offer a view of the tile roofs of the neighbourhood. Just one suite, but not everyone can afford it since it is the presidential room, offers a sundeck. Depending on your resources (or special offers and prices), you should stay in a superior (301 feet²) or a deluxe (355 feet²) room. this last one being able to accommodate up to 3 people.
The very high standard facilities (flat screen TV), air-conditioning, minibar, direct telephone line. Bathtub, hair-dryer, single or double vanity unit, bathrobes and slippers, welcome products (2 ounces), labeled Baglioni. The decoration in the first type of room surprises you: the bathroom is tiled (while the marble abounds in other Venetian palaces).

Having breakfast at the Luna Baglioni is like seeing for real the Great Wall in China or the Opera House in Sydney. An unique moment. Because the room where the guests take their seats is decorated with white wood panelling and mirrors, enriched by chandeliers and especially its ceiling that is an 18th century fresco: painted by the students of Tiepolo. The colours and the design are absolutly delightful. The buffet is also sumptuous: hot dishes, cold dishes, fresh fruits, variety...
For lunch and dinner, you can eat in a different ambiance, not that solemn, in a Venetian alcove. No sundeck available, unfortunatly, but the specialities served are delicious (homemade taglioni with scampi, Tuscan beef with parmesan cheese) and the prices are quite affordable (around 20 &euros; per dish that is 16 pounds).