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Back to Hotel Abbazia
Dear In Italy Online,
Our stay at the Hotel Abbazia was a wonderful introduction to Italy in general and Venice in particular. We were surprised and delighted to discover that the hotel was a short walk from the Grand Canal and also conveniently situated within walking distance of the Piazza le Roma where the bus from the airport deposited us. We were able to reach the hotel in 15 minutes using a map we had bought in Perth before departing, pulling our bags on wheels along behind us! The hotel was wonderful, and far more luxurious and spacious than expected. The staff were very friendly and always went out of their way to make suggestions and recommendations. On our inquiry as to how to reach Murano, they arranged a complimentary trip by water taxi to see the glass-blowing at a factory owned by one of the hotel owners. They were also very helpful, to the extent of assisting us to pack, label and fill out the customs forms for a box of souvenirs we wanted to send back home by post. Breakfast every morning was fantastic and catered for all tastes, judging by the enthusiasm of the tour groups of different nationalities we encountered in the dining room. Everything was absolutely perfect, and I would have no hesitation in recommending the Hotel Abbazia to anyone wanting a quiet, spacious hotel with a tranquil garden in which to relax, yet right in the heart of Cannaregio, and just a few paces from all the shops, restaurants and tourist attractions. When we came to leave by train for Vicenza, we were able to walk to the train station in 5 minutes, which made the logistics of getting from Point A to Point B so much easier. Thank you for doing the booking.
Regards,
Vicki M.
Dear In Italy,
Italy was great, as always. I have a good review and a not-so-good review. The Grand Hotel Cadenabbia wasn't so grand at all. We paid for a superior room with a balcony and lake view. When we arrived, they gave us a room on the first floor, with twin beds and no shower curtain. At our request, they did move us to the third floor. The view was, in fact, wonderful. However, the rest of the service/amenities was not up to par. The one bright spot was Sonia who worked at the reception desk. She was great. The other staff were not as friendly/helpful. I would say that for the cost, the value isn't great.
We LOVED the Hotel Abbazia in Venice. It was in a great location and even though it's a two minute walk to the train station, we never once heard a train. It is absolutely beautiful and since it was a monestary, you feel a sense of history. The staff was amazing (Matteo in particular) and couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. Having breakfast in the garden every morning was very relaxing before heading out for the day. And when we wanted to go to Murano, they had a private taxi pick us up and take us out there. I'm sure you know the owner of the hotel also owns one of the factories in Murano - I think it may be the largest one called " Cam".
Even though our experience at the Hotel Cadenabbia wasn't great, we didn't let it spoil our trip.
Kimberly R.
Dear In Italy,
Venice was everything & more than we had hoped. My wife & I went as part of our 25th wedding anniversary celebrations and it could not have been better. The Hotel Abbazia was excellent. The room was large, the bathroom enormous. Everyone at the front desk was so helpful speaking very good English. Breakfast was plentiful & good quality.
We had been warned about the bells from the local church - these are pretty loud but only ring once in the morning for a minute or so.
Venice lived up to its reputation and was less expensive than I had anticipated - obviously used to London prices. The only really expensive part was sitting for a coffee at St Mark's - don't expect any change from the waiters so make sure you don't pay a tip that is as much as your coffee!
We found a brilliant restaurant - Taverna San Trovaso SRL in Dorsoduro Tel 041/5203703. Great service & good prices. People were queuing before it opened for business one evening so we thought it must be good - and it was.
Thanks again.
John & Jo O.
Dear In Italy,
We had a wonderful trip! A favorite place to rest our heads was the Hotel Abazzia in Venice. The staff there is so personable, helpful, and charming. We loved the bells, all 128 rings! I have all my notes at home so I cannot go further into detail. But we found Hotel Abazzia a delight!
Diana T.
To Everyone at In Italy Online,
Just to say 'THANK YOU' - we had a fantastic time. The description of the Hotel Abbazia, in Venice, was exactly as described -near to amenities and water taxis, easy to get around, very friendly and helpful staff - arranging and advising on how to get to places, booking water taxis etc. EXTREMELY EXCELLENT SERVICE. The information pack emailed to us when we booked with you was very good - excelling most guide books we've bought and read in the past.
We would recommend this hotel and your site for being so honest and helpful and in providing a fantastic level of service.
Thanks again.
Bruce J.
Dear In Italy,
The Abazzia Hotel in VENICE was great. Excellent customer service at front desk (all clerks spoke English); close to train station and very convenient.
Janice B.
Hello Kristin,
We had a really wonderful trip. A few comments below...
Rome - Roma Centro apt - very well-located, with lots of character and amenities in the 'hood. It was wonderful to stroll to the Piazza Navona and to try all the restaurants only steps away. The grocery downstairs was very convenient as well, and with our kitchen we were able to do breakfast daily at home before venturing out. We also felt very secure there, which was a plus in more ways than one. Our daughter needed to stay back from sightseeing to rest a couple of times, and we were comfortable leaving her there alone for a couple of hours. Two downers: the apt. downstairs was being renovated, and the hammering began at 6:30 a.m. every day and lasted most of the day. That was awful. Also the bed REALLY needs a new mattress. Otherwise a very nice accommodation.
Stefano's tour of Pompeii was a highlight of the trip. He did a marvelous job, and the experience really sparked my imagination. The whole commercial city came alive for us. Stefano is very pleasant and knowledgeable. He also related well to our 11 year old daughter and helped enliven the trip for her as much as possible.
Palazzo Bandino was the second major highlight of the trip, and hands-down our favorite week of the vacation. We were treated like kings and queens in every way--coffee any time for the asking, fabulous meals where our every desire was remembered from one day to the next and anticipated, lovely people on staff, well-planned outings to complement cooking school. My daughter and I enjoyed the cooking classes very much. Chef Luciano and his translators were informative and helped us understand Tuscan cooking traditions and culture as much as recipes and preparation. The accommodations were nice although the showers are very small. Gabriel and Marta were a treasure; my daughter was almost in tears over leaving Marta behind. The scenery is gorgeous, and the setting was very peaceful. And again--the FOOD! Unbeatable. We also enjoyed the wine tasting; PB has some very good ones. A great place to sight see, relax, breathe deeply, and eat well.
Florence and Milan were not our favorites although we're glad we went to both. I highly recommend Rampini Ceramics in Florence to anyone interested in buying pottery. Very high quality and custom-made to your desires. Also we discovered a fabulous restaurant, family-owned for 30 years--Il Profeto. Great food.
Our outings to Pisa and Venice were good; Venice better than Pisa (was a long walk from train to the tower in hot weather; I recommend a cab for folks with kids). We spent a quick overnight in Venice and stayed at the outstanding Hotel Abbazia. It is around the corner from the train station, and the staff here was the best of any hotel we experienced. They went out of their way to ensure we had a wonderful time in every way possible. While we gave up our room in the morning, our train wasn't until evening. They offered us their comfortable lobby with nice bathrooms at any time during the day, and provided drinks etc. at the bar while we waited for the train. Above and beyond the call of duty. Our triple room was small, and we were glad we weren't there long, but it was nice and the beds were good.
Our final stop was Milan and the most underwhelming of the trip. It was awesome to see the Last Supper, however.
Hope all that is helpful. Thanks again for everything! If I have missed anything, I will ask my husband to fill the gap.
Mary M.
Dear In Italy,
We were so pleased with all the accommodations!!! The locations were perfect. Since we took the railroad from Florence to Venice the Hotel Abbazia could not have been more perfect. In fact, I would like to highlight the Hotel Abbazia in Venice. The staff at the front desk went far and beyond with friendliness and helpfulness. They truly personify the spirit of customer service. 5 Stars. Our rooms in both hotels were beautiful. We look forward to coming back and using your services again.
Thank you.
Merrill
S.
Dear In Italy,
Just wanted to thank you for your website and how helpful it was in planning my Italian trip. I booked two hotels through you, the Hotel Abbazia in Venice and the Florence Art Hotel and both were great. The Hotel Abbazia has a wonderful lounge and puts on a nice breakfast and is super close to the water taxis and train station, which makes it very convenient to get around. The staff was delightful.
Thanks for all the information on your site. Bookings were replied to immediately and your staff is very efficient.
Susan T.
Dear In Italy,
Venice's Hotel Abbazia is indeed just walking distance from the train station!! Our room was fantastic for the price and location! The staff even organized a private speedboat for just us (at no cost) to visit Murano Island's glass factories! Some Italian macho ride in the crowded canals! However Venice is still wall-to-wall people in late October.
Many thanks for your service.
Jane/Al P.
Dear In Italy,
This was our first trip to Venice , and we stayed at the Hotel Abbazia. It was ideal for us; a reasonable price, charming setting, amazingly convenient, and a great staff. The guys at the desk were amazing. They even offered help without being asked. An especially engaging young man, Mirco, stopped us on our first venture out and very spiritedly inquired what we were planning for that day. We gave him a list of possibilities, and he promptly called all of these spots to find out what hours and days they were open, and other particulars. He made everything so easy.
Our room was not grand, but pleasant and comfortable. No one warned us about mosquitoes in Venice, and a small tear in one of our window screens didn’t help. No bites for the first two nights, but after that they came with a vengeance. It hardly spoiled our visit, but we might take repellant next time.
Being so close to the train station was fabulous. The whole trip was a grand success.
Terry A.
Dear In Italy,
We had a great time and all the arrangements we made with you guys went perfect. In Venice, the Hotel Abbazia was wonderful and the staff were friendly and helpful to the extreme. I watched the World Cup match between the U.S. and Italy with the staff and had a great time. We got lost while wandering the city and discovered the India Caffe on Via C. Battisti. A small place with great food and just enough foot traffic to give some people watching while still being out of the tourist main drag.
Thanks for all your help in setting up our trip. I have told everyone about your site.
Jim P.
Dear In Italy Staff:
We really enjoyed our trip. Thanks for making the arrangements. The accommodations at the Hotel Abbazia were wonderful. The front desk staff was very helpful. I would highly recommend staying at the Hotel Abbazia to any of your readers. The room for 4 was huge. I understand this is unusual with Venice hotel space. We had only one glitch upon arrival. We got turned around in the Tronchetto garage. Instead of heading to the vaporetto stop adjacent to the garage, we ended up walking to the Piazzale Roma with our luggage in tow on a hot afternoon. You might wish to underscore to your readers that there is a vaporetto stop at the garage. It will save them a lot of aggravation.
We tried one of your restaurant suggestions but it was closed due to the holidays. Understand this is common during late-July and August.
Regards,
Paul K.
Dear In Italy,
We had a great time!
The Hotel Abbazia in Venice was OK, but we walked instead of taking the water bus. What a killer! All those flights of stairs in 95 degree heat. To boot we had a 3 rd floor room and no elevator at the hotel. I am fairly intelligent but I could not understand the water bus system. Maybe you can do a little better job in explaining that to people. The little restaurant you recommended in Venice was closed for the month. We made it back to all the side streets, but it was closed. A couple locals offered us some wine which was nice……….no one but just the 4 of us. They did say the restaurant was good if it was open. We ended up eating at a pizza place near the location. The food was terrible. Anyhow Tuscany was the best Venice was the worst.
Fred M.
Dear In Italy,
We just got back from a fabulous 2 week trip to Italy. We stayed at the Hotel Abbazia in Venice. It's very close to the train station. Once you go left out of the train station, it's right there. The street is a little alley (all the streets are like that), but there is a sign on the building at the beginning of the alley that let's you know the hotel is down there. It was a beautiful hotel with a outside courtyard where you could eat your breakfast at as well. They also served ham and hard boiled eggs as well as pastry. The staff was friendly and funny! You can have internet access for 5 Euro for 24 hours. Very ideal location.
Now about the best gelato places: In Milan there was one in the shopping area across from the Duomo (can't remember name) but it was in one of those places where there a lot of little eateries next to a bar. Get the local specialties Pesca (peach) and ananas (pineapple) Yum! In Rome, this is a must (we went there everyday- sometimes 2x in one day) Gelateria Caffe Pasticceria Giolitti (2min. from Pantheon and in Rick Steve's Italy 2006 book- great book by the way, lots of helpful tidbits) Every flavor is good there. We loved the green apple, the chocolate, the strawberry, the pineapple. You can get hand dipped cones. Pay first and then order and take it to go. You pay extra to sit at a table. Finally, also in Rick Steve's book in Venice La Boutique del Gelato. We went there more than once in a day as well. Next to Hotel Bruno, you can get 1 huge scoop for 1 Euro or 2 for 1.70 Euro. Very good and very generous. All flavors are good as well. Loved the tiramisu and chocolate. Flavors aren't the same everyday but it's all good.
Also, in regard to souvenirs. Every city has their own items to sell. If you want landmarks from that city you need to buy it there. For instance, you won't find the colosseum in Florence. Oh, we took a train to Pisa and that was great too. Climbing the leaning tower was totally worth the 15 Euro.
Finally, we like to say that we loved everything that we booked with In Italy. The hotels and the tour were fabulous! We will definitely recommend this site to any one traveling to Italy and we plan on using it again when we visit Italy in the future!
Sincerely,
Melissa and Nestor D.
Hello,
We had a lovely stay at the Abbazia, great mix of convenience, oasis of quiet for the end of the day, nice rooms (superior grade double, the ordinary doubles are tiny) with venetian decor, nice stone building, very helpful staff. Excellent compromise of location and price. The only poor aspect were the breakfasts: basic and poor quality ingredients.
Your local rep was the only other poor aspect: we contacted him beforehand for restaurant bookings. When we asked the Abbazia to reconfirm, it seems that both restaurant bookings had not been retained, and the second restaurant on your list we were told had changed its name. In fact it has totally changed: owners, cook & menu. No longer the fish restaurant we were expecting, but very much meat etc. So you need to update yourselves on that.
Otherwise, as seasoned travellers, we found your advice spot on and well devised. Thank you for helping us with our short break in Venice.
Kind regards,
S Foulds
Dear Jessica,
I want you to know that the accommodations @ Hotel Abbazia were quite fine! The staff was extremely helpful and made it a point to form a relationship with the guests. The beauty of this converted building is understated and so very convenient to the train station! I think the directions were a bit vague relative to the tiny street on which Hotel Abbazia is located. (or should I say alley?) I think the readers should know that the alleyway is not at all indicative of the fine accommodations!
Thank you for your assistance and I look forward to using your service again in the future.
Barbara B.
Dear In Italy,
Our trip was fantastic and the weather could not have been better. A little cool in the mornings and 70's in the afternoon. Our accommodations were great.... Clean, friendly, locations to all were perfect. Thank you again for all you help with the accommodations. We would use your services again.
Sincerely,
Craig R. K.
Dear In Italy,
I was really impressed with both choices. The Abbazia really did have one of the best concierge desks I've encountered. And the hotel was so charming for the price, it enabled me to stay at more expensive places and still bring in my travel budget. I'd recommend it and stay there again. Thanks.
Marjorie R.
Dear In Italy,
We were so wondrously surprised by the Hotel Abbazia. The staff was extremely helpful, pleasant and amusing, no, funny. It was spotless, and I mean spotless. The wood in the old Abby was buffed to an almost mirror shine. The marble steps up from the desk to the sitting room where the old pulpit still adorns the wall were so "old world." All four of us have said that if we ever go back to Venice, we will stay right there at Hotel Abbazia. The location was actually perfect, we thought we were going to be away from the town but it was at the beginning, we walked (yes, got lost) and took the water taxis and the water busses. The most unexpected delight for us, after the very long flights were the rooms.....the beds were the most comfortable I think I've ever slept on in a hotel, and (this may sound silly but its important and so comfortable) the sheets were so nice and tight you could have bounced a quarter on them and they stayed tucked in all night, what a delight. The room dressings were stunning, the padded fabric on the walls kept it nice and quiet. We loved the church bells in the morning. The breakfast was lovely and we swear, the coffee was the best we had the whole time in Italy. I hate to even mention it...but there was only one very minor comment....and we understand energy-conservation, but these old eyes found the dim lights difficult to read by but great to relax. Maybe just brighter light bulbs over the sitting table in the room where one could read without having to take the book into the bathroom...lighting in the bathroom was great. This (the lack of bright enough bulbs) was not unique to our Venice Hotel, also was an issue for us at our accomodations in Santa Cristina and in Verona.
Hidden treasures -- (If we tell it might make them more crowded but I will anyway.)
We went to Mass Sunday morning at the Church of St. Mary of Nazareth, what a wonderful old church.
Because it was a weekend (and Venice was very crowded) on Sunday (after we left St. Marks Square) we tried to avoid the mass of humanity that was there and traveling in the most frequented alleys, so we just kept looking for the railway station signs away from the crowds and stayed away from the main route. We discovered, delightfully, almost empty alleys/walking areas where there were local children playing in some of the several squares we walked through. We ran across quiet restaurants with outdoor seating in the quiet areas. We saw shops along these alleys and were actually able to stop and admire their wares since there were no crowds moving us along. We were amazed at all the lovely flowers in the window boxes and everything being so well kept. But almost as much we enjoyed getting back to the area where the hotel was and sitting at the tables out on the walkway near the Grand Canal with the masses.
Thank you so much for helping us find a hotel in Venice, we loved it. We also want to thank you for helping us with answers to our many other questions. The car rental went well, and we had a thoroughly wonderful time in Italy.
Carol P.
Dear In Italy,
Hotel Abbazia in Venice was very nice, and clean! 3 blocks from the train station, we had 2 locals on the train that walked to the front of the hotel, they lived further down the street. Not sure if we would have found the narrow alley way the first time, but when we told them on the train where we were staying they knew exactly where it was.
Thank you for all your help in planning our special trip to Italy we had a GREAT vacation!
Ceylon and Karen
Kristin,
We just wanted you to know how thrilled we were with Hotel Abbazia, it was simply beautiful, clean, and the service was top notch (and their morning coffee was wonderful). We all gave it a great big "A."
Thank you so very much for all your help.
Carol P.
Dear In Italy,
All of the accommodations were fantastic. Everyone says the rooms in Venice are dark and small. Hotel Abbazia was a huge surprise. Plain but Big room. This was a great building with a wonderful outdoor (and indoor) breakfast area. Staff was extremely helpful. -And a spectacular location. This is a major benefit. Literally 150 yards from the train station. This may save you 200 euros in water taxi fees.
All the directions were absolutely accurate. The reservations were all exact. I was always fumbling for the confirmation paperwork when the staff handed me the key and a fistful of helpful information. Sometimes they knew our name as we walked in the front door.
The car was great. I thought the driving was easy but I grew up in Detroit. Even I would not drive in Rome, though. The article on driving in Italy on your website was VERY helpful. I strongly recommend it. The only small criticism of this process was that the information said "Auto Europe". NO ONE had ever heard of that entity. Europcar is the proper name and everyone knows that. It took some time wandering around the Milan train station to find the place. Once there, the reservation was set and off we went. As the information says- NO grace time is allowed on the 24 hour rental times.
Plan on using more cash. We were told everyplace took credit cards. Not so true. We found several restaurants that did not and NONE of the museums take them. ATM's are everywhere. Make sure your checking account has some extra. Withdraw large amounts- $6 service fee on most.
Restaurants - Go to the ones with good prices and full tables. It was a no-brainer. Always great food.
Thanks a ton. I talked up your site to everyone with even the slightest interest in going to Italy.
Grazie!
Douglas H.
Jessica,
Thanks for following up on our trip to see how things went. First, let me say "Thank You" for all of the great information and suggestions from Kristin and InItaly.com. Without your site and helpful employees, our trip would not have gone as smoothly and been as wonderful. This trip, by far, was the best we've ever taken. We look forward to going again soon!
Hotel Abbazia was in a great location in Venice, very close to the train station which was very convenient - especially after 17 hours of traveling! The hotel staff, particularly Mateo, was very helpful and courteous. The only complaint we have is that you should mention that church bells are rung very close to the hotel in the morning. Not too intrusive but it was a surprise!
I will definitely continue to recommend your service for friends and family who are planning a trip to Italy...
Thanks Again,
Jarrel J.
Dear Jessica,
I am about to fly home from Milan and just want to make a special mention of how nice the staff were at Hotel Abbazia, especially Alvise (Elvis in English). When I arrived, the bed was too soft and the window did not lock and the safe was broken. Not only did he switch me to a much nicer room the next morning, but he also found a board to make the bed more firm. For this, he had to call another hotel and have it specially brought to my room. It made all the difference, and I had a great stay in Venice.
Ciao,
Susan
Dear In Italy,
Hotel Abbazia was exceptional! The staff at the front desk was very fluent in English and had a great sense of humor. I was initially reluctant to reserve a room at the Hotel because is was so close to the train station. I was extremely surprised when we stepped into the Hotel Lobby and were taken to our rooms. Quiet, clean, modern conveniences and great staff. (and yes, only a three minute walk from the front steps of the station). One hidden treasure that you did not mention was that there was a rather large park with playground less than five minutes away. My 5 year old and 3 year old were overjoyed and my 40 year old body enjoyed the relaxation under the trees and observing the locals enjoy the afternoon as well. We will definitely book again on our return trip to Venice.
Jim R.
Dear Jessica,
We were pleasantly surprised and pleased with our accommodations in Venice @ Hotel Abbazia. It was so convenient to the train station and the vaporetto. The hotel is just lovely and elegant with beautiful, wide marble hallways and stairs. I didn't know it was a convent at one time! The room was small but very beautifully appointed with a lovely bathroom. Thank you so much for this lovely recommendation for us in Venice. We loved our stay, but 3 days was too short, so we hope to go back and explore Venice again.
Sincerely,
Debbie D.
Hi,
It was a great trip and thanks very much for helping us plan it! We were a little nervous since we'd never relied quite so much on a web service to plan a vacation but everything went incredibly well. I would not hesitate to recommend your services to someone planning a trip to Italy. A few specifics -
Hotel Abbazia - Excellent hotel, great location, nice rooms, and the most friendly and helpful staff I have ever encountered anywhere I've ever stayed.
Car rental - Driving was great, glad I went with at least an Alfa Romeo.
Highlights -
Cinqueterre - A must see and maybe the best day of our trip.
Artworks - We returned with 5 paintings, several prints, 2 venetian masks, and a few items from the Murano glassworks. I don't know if you mention it anywhere on your website, but Italy is an absolutely fantastic place to get very nice art at reasonable prices.
Thanks again...
Ian M.
Dear In Italy,
Our trip was great, thank you for all of your help. As you've requested, let us comment on some things:
Hotel Abbazia was very easy to find, which was nice. The room was fine, nothing
special - this building used to be a monastery, so you'll be hard pressed
to find a spacious or luxurious room. The guys at the front desk were nice
and the breakfasts are good, too. Overall a nice place to stay. There is
a church bell next door that sounds at 7 am every morning, so if you're planning
on sleeping in, forget about it. We weren't bothered by it
at all, though.
Jamie O.
Dear Jessica,
I must say that I was glad I had the foresight to book my accommodations before reaching Italy, especially through the Initaly website! Hotel Abbazia and Palazzo Bandino were both really great and lovely.
Hotel Abbazia was truly amazing. We were not expecting too much based on its classification as a 3 star hotel, but I must say that the decorations and furnishings of the room we stayed in was the best we had during our stay in Italy. Venice is a lovely place to visit but a bit difficult to get around (other than the water-taxi/ vaporetto, you'd have to walk!) so it was a huge plus that the hotel was just around the corner from the train station. Food in Venice is quite expensive, but we found a nice pizzeria called 'Ache Ore' which served pretty decent pizzas at very reasonable prices.
Italy was really beautiful and memorable. Wished we had more time to spend there though...
Cheers!
Simon L.
Dear In Italy,
Thanks very much. Hotel Abbazia was great. People were very friendly and we really enjoyed our stay there. One surprise was how small the room was ... however, it was more than sufficient and was very well decorated - very comfortable and quiet. Location was great - Abbazia is a perfect location to operate from in Venice. Thank you for the recommendation - it really added good memories to our trip.
Steve E.
Dear In Italy,
Both hotels were excellent. Hotel Abbazia was very close to the train station, no need to take a water taxi or cross any bridges; however you need to follow the directions closely. The staff was nice and rooms were very clean. However, the continental breakfast was not worth going to. It was crowded, and the staff was not large enough to replace items, bowls, drinks, etc. It was more frustrating so we just went out to breakfast. Overall Hotel Abbazia was excellent, just don't count on the breakfast.
Elizabeth R.
Hello, Jessica,
We absolutely loved every one of your recommendations. Our trip to Italy was fantastic. I want to thank you so much for your help. Your site was by far the most informative web site we found and I greatly appreciate the level of attention you clearly pay to your recommendations.
Hotel Abbazia - this hotel was great as well. The staff were very friendly
and funny. The location is great being so close to the train station, you
don't have to haul bags a long way. Good breakfast.
Once again, I cannot thank you enough for your help with our trip. I will happily
and confidently recommend you to anyone I know going to Italy.
Sara K.
Dear In Italy,
Hotel Abbazia was wonderful! The staff was fantastic and very helpful...they gave us great restaurant recommendations and we just loved Venice!!
Thank you for your help in booking this hotel.
Jennifer M.
Hi David,
First class service 1:
We had a fabulous time in Italy. Our stay in Venice was awesome, the Hotel
Abbazia was perfect for our requirements. It was very easy to find, very friendly
(we managed to change our room to one less smokey), the hotel itself was very
comfortable and interesting being an ex-monastery. All in all very good value
for money.
First class service 2:
InItaly kindly booked our rent-a-car and we managed to find it with no problems
as it was only one stop on the riverboat. Avis were great, as was the free
car upgrade and the car was brand new. We didn't even get lost on our way to
Lake Garda (a 2.5 hour trip which flew by)
First class service 3:
Finally, InItaly proved to be a very quick, friendly and enjoyable experience.
Keep up the excellent work. I can't believe I live in London and booked a holiday
to Italy via LA.....
Many thanks
Andrew B.
Dear Jessica,
Mike and I returned from Italy on the 10th of August, Mike forwarded your e-mail to me and I finally have the opportunity to take the time to let you know about our stay.
Hotel Abbazia in Venice was absolutely beautiful. What a hidden treasure. We were greeted warmly every time we came or went through the door. Our room overlooked the breakfast garden. We ate breakfast outside every morning.
All in all we had a trip of a lifetime. I think Venice was my favorite city. We were very lucky, the weather was perfect the entire two weeks we were there. If I ever make it back to Italy, we will contact you for advise. You did not steer us wrong. We will certainly recommend In Italy to our friends.
Ciao!
Mike & Lynne M.
Dear In Italy,
We enjoyed our stay at Hotel Abbazia but missed the air conditioning!! The alley was very noisy at night and it was difficult to sleep with our windows open because of that. The staff at this hotel was terrific. I can't remember the gentleman at the front desk's name but he was very helpful and gave us recommendations for everything without us even having to ask. He was also a very good conversationalist! Most people understood English in Venice..that was a relief because we could ask questions about the area, the local customs etc... that was one of the most frustrating things..not being able to have a conversation with someone and learn about what we were seeing! We will really have to focus on learning to speak Italian and understand Italian before our next trip. The food in Venice was very disappointing with the exception of your and the concierge's recommendations. The Plaza I think... Overall we had a great trip and we will definitely call on your services when we decide to return to Italy.
Margot H.
Dear In Italy,
Just to let you know my stay was quite pleasant. I was particularly impressed by the warm and caring staff. Being able to have breakfast in that beautiful garden was delightful.
Betty K.
Dear In Italy,
Yes, we had a very nice vacation. This is an excellent hotel and we had a very
nice quad room that was very spacious and it was almost like a suite with
a large bathroom, etc. The hotel was indeed close to the station and that
was an advantage too. The lobby, sitting room and the breakfast area were
also nice. The folks at the front desk were very helpful. The only negative
is the lack of an elevator although someone helped us with the luggage so
this was not a significant issue. Overall, we are very happy and would return
there again and again.
Thank you for your help with the hotel arrangements. They worked smoothly.
Raj R.
Hi Jessica.
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply, but my life has been a blur since I returned, May/June being the busiest time for me at work. However, now that I have a bit of a break, I thought I'd answer your e-mail.
Overall, I was very impressed and satisfied with everything from In Italy. The communication was thorough and timely, and my expectations of the two places I rented were fulfilled. Hotel Abbazia in Venice was such an excellent choice from a transportation standpoint (the rooms were nice and the staff great). We loved it and would stay there again and have already recommended it to others.
I also have one complaint about the car rental process. No one told me that the Avis office in Venice closed at noon on Saturdays, even though they knew I was returning the car on a Saturday. When I asked for directions to return the car, I was told to go to Mappy, which I did, but its directions left a little to be desired. We spent about an hour, parked at a closed gas station on the bridge from the mainland to the island, trying to figure out where the Avis office was and how to get to it. No one answered their phone (offices closed) and no one had told me that I had to go to one of the garages and leave the car there and put the keys through the door slot. It was very frustrating and wasted time we could have enjoyed touring Venice. After a few U-turns on the bridge, unable to see any sign of an Avis office, we finally decided to just park the car in one of the garages and deal with Avis in the morning, if we could. Luckily, we picked the right garage and the attendant was able to tell us which floor Avis cars belonged on. I tell you this because I booked the car through your site, even though it wasn't exactly an In Italy booking.
That one miscommunication didn't spoil the rest of what was otherwise a fabulous vacation, though. I was a little nervous of booking everything with a company I'd never heard of, on line, but my experience was very good and I'm grateful that I discovered your site while I was planning my trip.
I don't know if you recommend this book on your site, but you might wish to. It proved really helpful to me. It's called, The Food and Wine Lover's Companion to Tuscany, by Carla Capalbo. She recommends restaurants, bakeries, wineries, delis, etc. and her taste is impeccable!
Thanks for all your help.
Sincerely,
Marilyn M.
Dear Jessica,
Thanks for the welcome home. I had a fabulous trip! This was my first time in Italy. Hotel Abbazia was by far the most inviting and comfortable place I stayed during my three week adventure to Europe and I stayed in eight different locations. The staff were extremely friendly and accommodating to my every need. The hotel itself was beautiful inside, with a very nice little courtyard garden. It was very peaceful, providing me with the best two nights of sleep I got on the entire trip. And finally the location from the train station and shopping was fantastic! Thank you for providing me with my best experience of my trip.
Since I absolutely fell in love with Italy and I only spent 3 days in Venice, I'm already planning my next trip in 2005 to Europe which most of my time will be spent in Italy with perhaps a side trip to Greece and an arrival or departure from London. I'd love any recommendations you may have to give. Thanks again!
Lori J.
Dear Julie:
Thank you for your e-mail. We had a fabulous time in Italy. The Hotel Abbazia on the other hand was incredible. The people at the front desk were incredible - especially Matthew. He was incredibly helpful when it came to suggesting places to eat and go that were not loaded with tourists. The rooms they had for us were incredible. Very clean and neat. We absolutely loved everything about this hotel. The morning breakfast was fresh, the coffee delicious and the servers were friendly and helpful. We could not have asked for nicer accommodations and would recommend this hotel to anyone without hesitation.
Sincerely,
Jaqui B.
Hi Jessica,
We had a wonderful time in Italy.... All of the hotels that were arranged through your service were terrific. We loved the Hotel Abbazia in Venice, especally the wonderful bar/lounge area which we took advantage of after touring around all day. It was great not to have to drag our luggage on a boat to get to the hotel, and the directions were easy to follow. We had a great dinner just across the way at the Gondolier ... new management and very informative owner.
Thanks for all your help and suggestions ... I would recommend your service and use it again.
Ginny K.
Dear In Italy,
Our final destination was Venice. We took the train from Florence to Venice, which was about a 3 hour train ride. When we arrived it was a quick 5 minute walk to our hotel - Hotel Abbazia. The hotel was in a great location and convenient to all the major tourist sites. Our room was a bit on the small side, but the employees were very pleasant and helpful. The two gentlemen that checked us in had us laughing as soon as we entered the hotel. As for the best eats that we found in the city, it would have to be the Brek Bar. It's self service, and patrons can watch the numerous chefs prepare custom orders. At the end of our stay, the gentleman that was on the night shift was so helpful. He told us since we had to get up so early to catch our 7:15am flight the next morning that he would try to have breakfast ready for us when we were ready to leave, which was at 4am in the morning. This was just the perfect ending to our perfect trip in Italy!
Thanks for all of your help and advice! We hope to return to Italy sometime in the near future. When we decide to visit again, we will not hesitate to book through In Italy again!
Thanks again!
Sean & Lorraine F.
Dear In Italy,
Hotel Abbazia's staff were very friendly here and spoke English well. The location was choice being right around the corner from the train station. There is a nice garden in the center of the hotel and we were in close walking distance to everything in Venice. I would stay here again.
We have recommended your website to two people already. Everything worked out really well and we are so glad we used you for our bookings. Thanks for your help. This is an excellent website you have to offer.
Tim K.
Dear In Italy,
Just a note to tell you that we absolutely LOVED the Hotel Abbazia and have recommended it to anyone who asked about our hotel experience. The hotel is perfectly located, extremely quiet, picturesque and the staff are simply delightful. Since the hotel is a converted abbey, there are some interesting features that have been kept intact.
All in all, the trip was wonderful, and I'll be using your service when I return to Italy next year!!
Thanks,
Margo H.
Dear Julie -
Of course we loved Italy - especially the language (we tried to learn a little with tapes before the trip) and the people. At Hotel Abbazia, Matteo (sp?) was especially helpful & amusing. Things we particularly liked about the hotel: the beautiful wood trim & furniture, and marble floors, in the room; big comfortable lobby & bar (wonderful to be able to hang out there after our last day of sightseeing, when we were exhausted & waiting for our midnight train); extremely convenient location. We got lost in Venice lots of times, but we could always find the hotel!
Joni E.
Dear Julie,
Venice was great! We loved the Hotel Abbazia. The first pleasant surprise was that our room was upgraded, and it had a jacuzzi! This was our honeymoon, so you can imagine how wonderful was to have a jacuzzi in our own room! The personnel at the hotel was very friendly and caring. Breakfast was delicious and abundant. Another plus of the hotel was the location. We traveled by train from Rome, and the hotel is just a couple of blocks from the train station. I would definitely recommend it and when we come back to Venice we want to stay in the same hotel. Thanks for your help. Next time I will make all the reservations with you. All the others were made through a travel agency, and they were not as good as Hotel Abbazia. Next time I will do them all with you. Do you book hotels in Spain as well?
Maria P.
We are back from our trip to Venice and Tuscany. Absolutely wonderful as usual!! For the second year your contribution was greatly appreciated. Hotel Abbazia was an excellent choice: cheerful, helpful staff, delightful room, ample breakfast, convenient location, unique building. Everything you said about it was 100% true. We did find that climbing three flights of stairs was a bit of a challenge after a long day of sightseeing, but the room was worth it. Regrettably, we didn't take your advice about taking a vaporetto from the Piazzale Roma. It was a very short walk as the crow flies, but those bridges were torture. We already had our three day vaporetto passes, but hadn't done enough homework and thought a "short walk" would be easier and quicker than learning to negotiate the vaporetto system as our first step in Venice. Wrong! Calle Priuli is definitely a narrow alley...so narrow (and so obscured by the tables of a sidewalk cafe) that you have to step into it in order to get a good view of the street name on the side of the building. We walked past it twice.
Again, thanks very much for your contribution to a great vacation.
Bev and Dick V.
Dear In Italy,
The Hotel Abbazia was probably the oldest but in many ways my favorite stay of the entire trip. We were both completely enchanted with Venice and since we were tired of "must do" sightseeing, we really, truly relaxed and enjoyed just being in Venice. The hotel upgraded our room and it ended up being bigger than most rooms here in the states. The hotel staff was funny, warm and extremely friendly. Matthew at the front desk was GREAT! We especially enjoyed our trip to Murano that the hotel provided by their private boat. We would definitely stay here again.
Thank you for all of your wonderful information about Italy on your website. We would recommend your site to anyone and cannot wait to begin planning our next trip to Italy.
Sincerely,
Frank and Amy P.
Julie,
We were very pleased with both accommodations. All of the front desk staff at Abbazia was very helpful and Francisco was great. The locations were great for what we wanted. Having only a short walk from the train station in Venice was perfect. And for exploring the Chianti region of Tuscany, as well as visiting Florence, Villa Belvedere was very nicely situated. While in Tuscany, we visited Siena, Monteriggioni, Montepulcino, Montepulciano, San Gimignano, as well as Florence.
While I'm sure there's nothing we saw that fits in the "discovery" category, I would say there were two surprises: a great lunch in Monteriggioni at a restaurant that you wouldn't have guessed from the outside (I will have to send you the name later), and the beauty of the Piazza in Siena.
On the negative side, there was a lot that was closed in Venice on Sunday and Monday, and the food there was pretty mediocre. Reaching the city office of Avis in Florence at 5:20 only to find it closed was the biggest trauma of the trip. We did get a car at the airport, but this made my initial driving experience a bit more nerve racking since it was after dark, and in a much more congested part of Florence for reaching Villa Belvedere. The Avis agent at the airport, Andrea, was extremely helpful and made it easier. Also, my experience with Auto Europe by phone the next day was good.
The restaurants recommended by Francesco were all good.
We would recommend both Abbazia and Villa Belvedere to anyone traveling to these locations.
We also felt the maps from your site were good.
Regards,
Jim K.
Hi Cynthia,
The trip was great. Hotel Abbazia was great. The staff was very friendly and helpful. There is a brand new restaurant up Calle dei Priuli dei Cavaletti (towards the Canal) that the Hotel staff recommended. It is called Al Vecio Gondolier. The food was good and the price fair. We liked the room. The morning continental breakfast was excellent and we loved the bells that rang at 7:15am every day. I can't think of a thing we didn't love about the hotel.
One of the best things we did was to get up before dawn and take the vaporetto to St. Marks. There were literally three guys cleaning the square and one other picture taker at dawn. A big difference from the day before when the square was filled with people. It was amazing.
Great tip to park in section "E" in Tronchetto.
I would definitely use In Italy again, and I am a former travel agency owner and agent. I will also recommend your company to others considering an Italian vacation.
Sherie M.
Dear Cynthia,
Yes, Italy was absolutely wonderful, as usual. The Hotel Abbazia was a pleasant surprise. Being so close to the train station I was a bit leery but proved to be quite nice...the rooms were nicely appointed and quiet (except for the church bells), the staff was very helpful, the breakfast was more than ample. I would definitely go back, particularly if arriving by train with lots of luggage. And for those visitors who love seafood and great pizza, I would suggest Acqua Pazza Ristorante Mediterraneo (Campo S. Angelo). Delicious!
Thank you.
Regards,
Marylu S.
Julie,
The trip was awesome and Mary and I agree that that Hotel Abbazia was great because it was so close to the train station and it was clean and friendly. Of all the places we stayed this place had the best "breakfast," of course that is relative to what European breakfast is. However, it ended up being the most expensive place we stayed.
Thomas S.