Hotel Abbazia is a converted abbey within steps of the train station. It is down a narrow alleyway, and so has the feeling of great privacy. The front desk staff is incredibly helpful, but also incredibly funny. Our interaction with them made the hotel feel very personal, and earned our loyalty. Besides the pleasant and memorable desk service, there are two other great features of this hotel. One is the expansive, comfortable livingroom where one can go to read a book, meet up with the rest of one's party or have a cup of tea or a cocktail in the afternoon. It is lightly scented with a delicious incense that gives meaning to the term "aroma therapy." The other is the sun-bathed garden. After a few days of typical spring rain, we couldn't resist sitting out there, absorbing the warmth and feeling far from the crowds of the Venice streets -- just outside the garden walls. We were two moms traveling with a total of 3 kids. We took a double and a quad (the triple being full). Our room (the quad) was clean and plenty spacious with a big bathroom and tub. The included breakfast, which was in the little dining room, offered plenty of selections for all tastes. The hotel's proximity to the train station enabled us to get in and out of Venice with relative ease, especially in the pouring rain. For those who have not traveled to Venice, this part of the island is just as charming and picturesque and full of shops and restaurants as those areas around San Marco Square.

Very close to the train station and Piazzale Roma, but you don't experience the business normally associated with that type of location. The Abbazia is tucked away down a little side street. The lounge area is very pretty and oddly enough we noted that this hotel smells wonderful - due to the oil infusers placed around the hotel. The rooms are small - in Venice style - but pretty with fantastic bathrooms. Due to its size, Venice is pretty much within walking distance of everything, so we had no problem exploring the city from the Abbazia. We'd recommend the hotel to all couples - the inner courtyard view was beautiful and you wake to the peaceful sounds of birds chirping in the trees.

We stayed for two nights in Hotel Abbazia. We booked this hotel based on tripadvisor reviews and weren’t disappointed. The Hotel is a quiet lane just 150m from Venice Santa Lucia train station. The rooms were of good size and well decorated, but we didn’t like the room colour as it looked a bit dull, apart from that it was well maintained room. The entire hotel is well decorated and we really liked the courtyard. The location of the Hotel is perfect, close to the train station (probably an easier location to find your way back even if you’re lost in the small alleys of Venice) and is about 20 minutes walk from St. Mark’s square. The early morning bells from the close by monastery added to a nice touch to our trip. The hotel serves a good breakfast and there are also some decent restaurants around the place. Overall a good place to stay in Venice, highly recommended.

This converted monastery provided us with the a central base with which to visit Venice. Looks quite tatty from the outside, but is beautiful inside with material clad walls in our bedroom overlooking the garden. Yes, we were right underneath the bell tower but somehow the bells were charming and just added to our holiday. Service was really good and breakfast excellent. Would definitely stay here again.
The Vivaldi concert, in St Marks Square,although only an hour long is worth seeing. Be aware that the campanile is very expensive at 8euros each so unless you really want that view, best avoided. The basilica is free to go into but if you join the queue to the right, you'll got into the treasury where you have to pay 3 euros each. Doesn't sound that much, but unless you're into bits of bone in ornate glass jars you'll not really feel the benefit. Venice at night is wonderful. Get the front seat on the vaparetto, and ride down the grand canal.
All in all a memorable holiday which far exceeded our expectations. Oh and read John Berendts Falling angels when you're there for the full feel of Venice