Grande Albergo Ausonia And Hungaria

"Expect the Unexpected" is the tagline. What we didn't expect was how far the service would fall short of the five-star rating. The cracks showed early. The concierge had no relationship with the area's best beach club and couldn't secure a booking even though the beach club was quiet — a basic ask for a hotel at this price point. Further, on arrival there was no one to greet us into the hotel to help us with our bags. It set the tone for the stay. Poolside was worse. Seating over the weekend was in short supply (we didn’t try to go again during our stay). The (mostly young) pool attendants weren't inclined to help you find a spot, and once you had one, service was poor. There's a bar near the pool but even when having lunch we would have to go up to the bar when someone was present to ask for a drink, ice or to order food. Empty glasses/water bottles, meanwhile, sat abandoned for hours before anyone cleared them. Overall, the service was not attentive and was underwhelming. The details didn't hold up either: pillows were very thin and uncomfortable, there was a lack of hangers in the wardrobe, and a bathroom door with more visibility than any guest wants. Lunch was a forgettable, a barely passable burger. The Greek salad was tasty. We had to ask for a map — it wasn't offered. Even the art felt like an afterthought: prints on canvas of famous faces rather than anything considered. None of this is fatal on its own. Together, it adds up to a hotel trading on its five-star name while delivering four-star execution — and doing genuine five-star properties a disservice by association. I will say that overall the housekeeping staff did a good job as the hotel, overall, was clean.

Great location, easy to catch a ferry into Venice. Unfortunately the rooms have a flashing red smoke detector and fire alarm over the main double bed and so bring a sleep mask if you like dark rooms at night! (Reception were unapologetic and said this was statutory.) The modern rooms also have glowing switches/sockets and the glass bathroom wall with a motion detector light inside mean an illuminated bedroom if anyone gets up in the night!

An exceptionally beautiful hotel with a pool. We have never been to a 5-star hotel where the staff at the front desk were as attentive and helpful as at the Ausonia. In the hotel itself, you can feel the touch of the Belle Epoque. On the terrace in front of the hotel, you can have breakfast or enjoy a drink in the evening. The rooftop terrace offers a unique 360-degree view over Venice. If you are looking for a nice hotel for the Biennale, come here! The vaporetto is only a 2-minute walk away and goes directly to the Giardini and the Arsenale. Overall, the Lido is climatically much more pleasant than the city anyway, and the pool or the beach help to make the heat bearable.