San Clemente Palace Venice

The hotel offers a unique and memorable experience, distinguished by its private island setting, which serves as a peaceful oasis away from the bustling city. This historic palace is celebrated for its serene atmosphere, stunning views, and beautifully maintained grounds. It is an ideal destination for couples seeking a romantic retreat, as well as families who appreciate the spacious environment and amenities. Sightseers will find it convenient for exploring Venice while enjoying a tranquil base. Guests consistently highlight the exceptional service and comfortable accommodations. To enhance your stay, be sure to take advantage of the complimentary boat shuttle for easy access to San Marco Square and explore the island's historic church and art installations.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel is set on a private island, offering guests an expansive and tranquil environment. Its meticulously maintained gardens are a signature feature, providing peaceful spaces for relaxation, complete with art installations and a dedicated walking track. Guests particularly appreciate the large outdoor pool, which is a rare and welcome amenity in Venice, often noted for being heated. For those seeking active pursuits, a fitness center is available. The historic chapel/church on the grounds is a significant landmark, inviting exploration. Rooms are equipped with a complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, a thoughtful touch, and free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the property. While these facilities are highly valued, some guests noted that the spa facilities, including sauna, steam room, and hot tub, were unfortunately closed or not fully operational during their visits, which was a point of disappointment.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally praise the spacious rooms, noting their high ceilings and elegant decor. Most found the rooms to be clean and the beds comfortable, contributing to a restful night's sleep. The large bathrooms are also frequently appreciated. However, a significant number of guests reported issues with the air conditioning not working effectively or being turned off, leading to uncomfortably warm rooms, especially during warmer months. Mosquitoes were a frequent concern, particularly when guests attempted to open windows for ventilation due to the AC problems. While isolated reports of brown water from sinks or minor cleanliness oversights were mentioned, these were not widespread. Overall, the rooms are described as quiet, enhancing the peaceful island experience.

Dining & Food Quality
Breakfast receives mixed feedback; many guests praise its variety and quality, highlighting a wide selection of fresh options, while some found it to be below expectations for a luxury hotel, citing limited choices for specific dietary needs or self-service coffee. The fine dining Acquerello restaurant is highly regarded for its delicious food and impeccable service, offering a romantic setting, though some found portions small and prices high. The bar area is noted for its pleasant atmosphere and well-made drinks, but many guests found the prices to be significantly overpriced. Feedback on the poolside restaurant and room service is less positive, with mentions of limited, overpriced, or cold options, and slow delivery, prompting some guests to seek dining options elsewhere.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's unique private island location is a major highlight, offering a peaceful oasis away from the crowds and hustle and bustle of Venice. A complimentary shuttle boat provides convenient and frequent access to San Marco Square, typically a 10-15 minute ride. Most guests found the shuttle service efficient and reliable, making it easy to explore the city while returning to a tranquil retreat. However, some experienced long waits or crowded boats, and noted that getting to other parts of Venice or the airport without the shuttle or a private water taxi can be challenging. The hotel also offers a complimentary trip to a Murano glass factory, which is a popular and appreciated amenity, adding to the unique experience.

Staff & Service
The staff generally receives high praise for being friendly, attentive, helpful, and professional, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience. The concierge team is particularly highlighted for their excellent assistance with planning activities and making reservations, often going above and beyond. Housekeeping is often commended for maintaining clean rooms and providing twice-daily service, though some noted inconsistencies with minibar refills. While many interactions are positive, there are mixed reviews regarding the reception staff, with some guests reporting rude or unresponsive encounters, particularly concerning payment issues. Some guests also noted a lack of Italian-speaking staff, which occasionally posed communication challenges, despite the overall high level of service.

Additional Information
A notable concern for some guests involved issues with deposit or holding charges, with reports of funds being held for extended periods or not being refunded promptly after check-out, leading to frustration. The hotel provides a mobile application accessible via QR code in rooms, which guests found useful for making requests, though some observed that the app was not consistently updated with the hotel's latest offerings or services. Furthermore, the spa facilities were frequently mentioned as being closed or not fully operational during various stays, which was a significant drawback for guests anticipating access to these wellness amenities. In a few instances, guests reported last-minute booking cancellations by the hotel, causing considerable stress and requiring them to make alternative arrangements on short notice.