Venice DREAM Hotel: Avani Rio Novo's Stunning Secret Revealed!
Venice DREAM Hotel: Avani Rio Novo's Stunning Secret Revealed! (And My Slightly Messy Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I've just survived (and thrived) a stay at the Avani Rio Novo in Venice. Let me tell you, it's not just about the canals and gondolas. This place… well, it’s a mood. And I'm here to spill the (slightly accidental) details.
First Impressions & Accessibility (Or, The Great Boat Ride Debacle)
The Avani, nestled right next to the Rio Novo canal, looks stunning in the photos. And in person? Mostly lives up to the hype. The lobby is bright, clean, and… well, modern. Maybe a little too modern for old-school Venice, but hey, I'm here for the vibes, not to be reminded of a dusty, gothic horror novel.
Accessibility, though, is where things get… interesting. They advertise as "facilities for disabled guests," which is good. But my actual experience? Arriving from the airport, I'd booked the airport transfer. My luggage was… well, a lot (don't judge, I needed those shoes). Trying to heave my suitcase out of the water taxi onto the hotel dock… let’s just say I’m not sure my lower back will ever be the same. Cramped access and narrow walkways at the hotel entrance meant it wasn’t exactly a smooth start. So, while they do have elevators, this accessibility thing needs a little polishing. It's not awful, but it's not perfect. It did give me a good chuckle, though. I love a bit of slapstick!
Wheelchair Accessible? (I Can't Say for Sure, Sadly)
I can’t personally vouch for the wheelchair accessibility, unfortunately. Based on what I saw with the uneven pavements and the initial dock experience, it might require some serious planning. I’d recommend calling ahead and getting very specific about your needs. Don’t be afraid to bombard them with questions. Seriously, ask everything.
Internet & Digital Nomads (Bless Up! … Mostly)
Alright, let's talk about the lifeline of the modern traveler: the internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! They do deliver on that promise. I spent an embarrassing amount of time catching up on Real Housewives while slurping down espresso. It was… glorious. Internet access – LAN which I didn't use. But the Wi-Fi was STRONG. Wi-Fi in public areas? Also good. So, for all you digital nomads dreaming of working in Venice, you’re in luck. Laptop workspace available in the rooms, too… I think I had a grand total of one actual work email while I was there. But hey, the option was there! Honestly, I was too busy staring at the view. Business facilities are also available in the lobby.
The Room (My Private Oasis of Chaos)
My room was… lovely. Non-smoking. Because I'm trying to be a better person. Air conditioning blared, which was a godsend. It’s hot in Venice. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for those precious lie-in moments (which were many). Bathrobes… yes! Slippers… double yes! The mini bar was tempting. I was strong for the first few days. Safe box was a great reassurance, of course. And while I didn't use the desk, it did serve as an excellent surface to dump groceries on.
I had a window that opens (crucial for that fresh Venetian air, and for covertly hearing the gondolas sing) but also a separate shower/bathtub – luxury! The soundproofing was surprisingly effective. I never heard the cacophony of people drinking Aperol Spritz on the other side of the canal. I felt like the Queen! Complimentary tea and coffee in the room was a nice touch, although with a Nespresso machine, that was the real deal!
The Sleep Factor (Worth It?)
The bed was super comfortable. No complaints there. Extra long bed… I needed that. Alarm clock, desk, and a mirror… yup, its a fully functional room! I slept deeply. So yes, the rest and restoration factor is definitely A+.
Eating, Drinking, & Staying Alive (The Food Coma is Real)
Oh, the food. Venice is a feast for the senses, and the Avani adds to that experience.
- Restaurants: The hotel has a few restaurants… and more than a few reasons to eat there. A la carte dining. Buffet (breakfast) was a thing, although more on that later. International cuisine with a strong emphasis on Italian, of course. The coffee shop was my best friend. I also loved having the poolside bar. Poolside bar was great for a quick drink or snack on the terrace.
- Breakfast (The Buffet Bonanza): This is where things get… messy. The breakfast buffet was… well, a buffet. Asian breakfast was an option, but I stuck to the delicious Western stuff. The breakfast service was pretty good, and the food was fresh and well prepared and the staff were friendly. Breakfast takeaway service was an option too, and ideal for those who want to go before the breakfast hours.
- Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: Room service (24-hour), because sometimes you just need a plate of pasta at 3 AM. Bar. Bottle of water available everywhere. Coffee/tea at every corner. Desserts… oh, the desserts. The snack bar near the pool was perfect for a quick bite. Vegetarian restaurant. Salads available. Soup also available.
- Food Hygiene, Safety: From the cleanliness, to the staff training, to the food prep and service. I had nothing to complain about. They were spot on about hygiene and safety.
The Spa & Things To Do (My Therapist’s Dream!)
Alright, the spa. This is where the Avani really shines. After the initial chaos of arrival, I spent an inordinate amount of time here.
- Ways to Relax: Body Scrub, Body Wrap, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming Pool, Pool with View: Yes, yes, yes, and yes! My therapist was heaven-sent. I went for a Massage twice. The sauna and steamroom were a welcome escape from the bustle. The pool was… well, the photos don't do it justice. Pool with view is accurate.
- Gym/fitness: I may have glanced at the Fitness center, but I preferred to burn calories by eating gelato and walking around, so I skipped on the gym.
Cleanliness & Safety (Post-Covid Concerns)
Look, after all the pandemic hoo-ha, I'm extra sensitive about hygiene. The Avani was surprisingly good.
- Anti-viral cleaning products. Daily disinfection in common areas. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Room sanitization opt-out available? – I didn't opt out, but it was nice to know. Rooms sanitized between stays. Staff trained in safety protocol. Professional-grade sanitizing services. Safe dining setup
- My room was immaculate, and I felt completely safe. They are also following the guidelines regarding physical distancing, with the relevant signage and clear instructions, as per the hygiene certification.
Services & Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter)
The Avani offers all those little touches that make life easier.
- Concierge: Fantastic. They helped me with everything from booking gondola rides to finding the perfect pasta restaurant.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless. They’re efficient and discreet.
- Doorman: Always helpful and friendly.
- Laundry service/Dry cleaning: Crucial for a messy traveler.
- Luggage storage: Convenient.
- Cash withdrawal: The hotel has everything you need.
- Contactless check-in/out: Modern convenience.
- Currency exchange: Helpful.
- Elevator: Thank goodness (see: luggage incident).
Things I Didn't Need/Use (But They Were There!)
- Facilities for disabled guests: While they said they had it, I didn't see it!
- Babysitting service: Not applicable.
- Business facilities: Could be useful.
- Gift shop:
- Meeting/banquet facilities: I didn't plan any events.
- Shrine: Nope.
- Smoking area: Not for me.
- Car park: I didn't drive, but they do have one.
- Fire Extinguisher: Thankfully didn't need one.
For The Kids (I'm Not Judging, But…)
- **Family
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because you're getting the unvarnished truth about my Venetian adventure at the Avani Rio Novo (formerly NH Venezia Rio Novo). Think less "smooth travel influencer" and more "slightly overwhelmed tourist with a penchant for gelato and judging pigeons." Here we go…
Day 1: Arrival and Immediate Panic (aka, Venice isn't that simple, is it?)
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). Okay, first hurdle. Finding the Alilaguna water bus. Sounds romantic, right? Turns out, navigating a crowded airport with a suitcase the size of a small car and a rapidly deteriorating grasp of Italian is… less romantic. Especially when you swear you saw the blue line to the hotel, but end up at some random ferry terminal in the middle of nowhere.
- 11:30 AM: Finally, finally, on the right boat. The wind whips through my hair, the buildings get closer. This is why I came! The Grand Canal unfolds before me. I'm getting a bit teary eyed.
- 12:30 PM: Arrive at the hotel, check-in. The lobby is sleek, modern… a far cry from the crumbling, romantic fantasy I'd conjured in my mind. But, hey, at least the AC works. The view, though! The canal right out the window of my room. Seriously, it’s worth a lifetime of suffering.
- 1:00 PM: Room chaos. Drop my bags, briefly consider taking a nap. Nope. Gotta do something!
- 1:30 PM: First foray into the labyrinth. Get lost. Miserably lost. Ask a local for directions. They look at me like I've sprouted a second head. Pointing, gesturing, a whole lot of "non capisco." Eventually, I stumble upon a tiny, charming bridge and a gelato shop. Crisis averted! (Gelato: pistachio, obviously).
- 3:00 PM: Walk the area by the hotel. Explore the local shops, a few small churches, and I stumble on a really interesting display of masks. Each one more strange and beautiful than the last. I have to stop myself from buying one (or three) of them.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local trattoria nearby. Forget the name, but it was packed. I ordered a plate of spaghetti with clams. It was the most delicious thing and I haven't been able to get enough. It was so good, I almost cried.
- 8:00 PM: Stroll along the canal in the evening. The lights reflecting in the water are stunning. A gondola drifts by, serenading a couple. Ugh, I think, but I am still enjoying the moment. Venice really is magic. Maybe I am falling in love?
- 9:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Wine on the balcony? YES PLEASE! Finish my drink while writing in my journal, and watch the night come alive.
Day 2: Highs, Lows, and the Pursuit of Perfect Pizza
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Standard continental fare. Sufficient. The coffee, however, is divine. I may have had three cups. Judge me not.
- 10:00 AM: St. Mark's Square. The Doge's Palace. The Basilica. Overwhelming! Crowds, pigeons (the flying rats of Venice, I swear), and the sheer artistry. It's awe-inspiring, but also exhausting. I try to imagine living in those times, the struggles. The plague.
- 12:00 PM: Climb the Campanile. The view is worth it. You can see the entire city laid out before you, like a beautiful, chaotic map. The wind almost blows my hat off.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch near St. Mark's: Tourist trap. The food was… edible. The bill, however, was a crime against humanity. Lesson learned: avoid establishments with prominently displayed menus in multiple languages.
- 2:00 PM: Attempt to find a "real" pizza place. This becomes an epic quest. Wandering down narrow alleys, asking locals (more confused looks), and finally… success! A tiny, unassuming pizzeria, hidden away. The pizza… perfectly thin crust, fresh toppings, a slice of heaven. I ate two whole pizzas to "test" the theory!
- 4:00 PM: Gondola ride. Okay, cliché. But, honestly? Worth it. The gondolier sings a song in Italian, I drink in the beauty. I even let a tear or two escape. Cheesy, yes. Memorable? Absolutely.
- 6:00 PM: Back to hotel, a late swim in the pool. Then back to my room.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant. It was great. But, I can't remember the name, can't find it on a map. It must have simply been a dream.
- 8:00 PM: Night of bliss and more gelato. Vanilla, of course.
Day 3: Museums, Murano Madness, and (More) Emotional Baggage
- 9:00 AM: Fuel up with breakfast.
- 10:00 AM: The Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Modern art. Some of it I get. Some of it… not so much. But the setting, a stunning palazzo on the Grand Canal, is worth the price of entry alone.
- 12:00 PM: Murano Island. The glassblowing. Gorgeous, intricate, and… expensive. I watch a demonstration, mesmerized. The skill! The artistry! I briefly consider buying a small glass bird, but my budget (and my luggage space) quickly talk me out of it.
- 2:00 PM: Visit glass museums in Murano. So many colors, shapes, designs. Incredible.
- 4:00 PM: My mood swings are out of control. Is this the art? Is this the gelato? What am I even doing?
- 5:00 PM: Back at the hotel, feeling profoundly alone, I sit in the lobby, and watch people walk by. All of them on their adventure, with friends, with families. I'm struck by what I want, and what I desire. A companion. Love. Something to hold on to.
- 7:00 PM: I force myself to eat at the hotel, not wanting to risk getting lost again. The food is nice, but I'm not fully enjoying the experience.
- 9:00 PM: More writing, trying to make sense of my feelings, and finishing a bottle of wine.
Day 4: Departure and the Bitter-Sweet Goodbye
- 9:00 AM: Final breakfast. Sigh.
- 10:00 AM: One last walk through Venice. I buy a small Murano glass heart, as a reminder of who I can be.
- 11:00 AM: Check-out. Head back to the airport. I vow to return with someone next time.
- 12:00 PM: Back in the Alilaguna waterbus.
- 1:00 PM: At VCE, ready to go home. A little sad to be leaving, but also a little relieved. This city has tested me, moved me, inspired me…and nearly broke me.
- 2:00 PM On the flight, I look back on the journal I've been keeping, filled with my thoughts and desires. I'm changed, somehow.
- 5:00 PM: Back Home!
Final Thoughts:
Venice is a beast. Beautiful, chaotic, and utterly captivating. The Avani Rio Novo was a solid basecamp. Clean, comfortable, perfectly located near the train station (which I never actually used, but still!), and with a view that made my heart sing. Would I go back? Absolutely. Will I probably repeat this itinerary? Absolutely. The gelato alone is worth it. But next time… I’m bringing a friend. And a stronger grasp of Italian. And maybe earplugs for those damn pigeons. Arrivederci, Venice… for now.
Escape to Paradise: Santoro Country House, Castiglione di Sicilia
Venice DREAM Hotel: Avani Rio Novo's Stunning Secret... Revealed! (Sort Of...) – FAQs That Tell You Exactly What You *Didn't* Expect
Okay, so is this place *really* "dreamy"? Because Venice often promises a dream and then shoves you into a damp alley with a pigeon staring judgmentally.
Alright, buckle up buttercup. "Dreamy" in Venice is a loaded term, like "easy" in a bank robbery. The Avani Rio Novo? Yeah, it *leans* toward dreamy. Depends what your dream is. My dream involves a giant bowl of pasta and no screaming children (mostly achieved, thankfully). This hotel delivers on the "pretty" front. The view from the *vaporetti* stop is… *chef's kiss*. But remember, we're talking Venice. Expect some minor imperfections. Like, you know, the occasional dampness. And the pigeons. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE. Seriously, one tried to steal my croissant. The audacity!
What's the *actual* location like? Is it actually convenient, or am I gonna spend half my trip getting lost? (Asking for a friend... who's me.)
Listen, getting lost in Venice is practically a rite of passage. Let’s be real. The Avani Rio Novo is actually pretty well-placed. It's near the train station (very handy after a long journey, trust me, I've been there, done that, got the weary traveler t-shirt). It's also right on a *vaporetti* stop, which is your lifeline to all things Venice. So, convenient? Yes. But will you still get lost? Absolutely. It's Venice. Embrace the chaos. I swore I saw a sign that said "Go this way to... *another* dead end." It's part of the charm... I think.
The rooms... tell me about the rooms. Is it cramped? Does the WiFi work? And please, tell me about the *bed*!
Okay, the rooms. Let's start with the WiFi. Miraculously, it does work. Thank the internet gods. The rooms are... fine. Not palatial. You're in Venice; space is at a premium. Think "efficiently designed." My room was clean, thankfully. Shower pressure? Adequate. Now... the bed. Okay, this is where it gets interesting. I had a *perfect* bed. Seriously. Cloud-like, perfect temperature, just… heavenly. I almost considered staying in the room all day, ordering room service (which, by the way, was excellent), and living solely within the confines of that bed. It was a genuine, life-affirming experience. My *perfect* bed. And I'm kinda still dreaming about it. Consider me biased. But also, consider me right.
Breakfast – crucial! Is it a continental nibble, or can I actually get some fuel for a day of wandering?
Breakfast... blessedly, it's not just sad little croissants. They had a decent spread! Croissants, yes. But also fruit, eggs, bacon, pastries. All the fuel you need to wander the city, avoid pigeons, and spend all of your money on gelato. Nothing mind blowing but good enough to get you going and keep you fueled up for at least a couple of hours. Plus fresh coffee and cappuccinos. Worth it. Trust me, you don't want to start a Venice day hangry.
What's the vibe of the hotel? Is it all linen-clad serenity, or can I actually relax and be… myself? (I snort when I laugh, by the way.)
The vibe? Not overly stuffy. The staff were friendly and helpful, which is always a plus. No one batted an eyelid at my slightly disheveled appearance (Venice can do that to you). You can relax. Laugh however you want. Snort away! It's not a place where you have to walk on eggshells. It was a welcoming atmosphere, especially after a hectic day navigating the canals. It's not the cheapest place, but it's not the most pretentious. You can be yourself. And that, my friends, is worth its weight in, well, Venetian gold. Because everything is expensive.
Anything *really* annoying? Gimme the truth.
Alright, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Okay... it’s Venice. Be prepared for crowds. And more crowds. And the occasional boat horn at 6 am. Nothing the hotel did, but it's Venice. Sometimes the elevator can be a little slow. And, well, that one pigeon incident. But honestly? Mostly, it was great. The good far outweighs the bad. I’m being brutally honest, right?
So, would you recommend it? Seriously, would *you* go back?
Absolutely. Yes. A thousand times, yes! I mean, I’m already planning my return. Partly for the city, partly for the view, and mostly for that *bed*. That. Bed. Seriously, book the Avani Rio Novo. Just… do it. You won’t regret it. And if you do, you can blame the pigeons. I’d still risk the pigeons for that bed.
Any hidden gems or insider tips? Spill the tea!
Okay, okay, here's the deal. Take the time to just *wander*. Ditch the map occasionally. Get lost. That's how you find the real Venice. Also, find a little *bacaro* (wine bar) off the beaten path. The best food, the best wine, the best conversations... that's where the magic happens. And remember, learn a few basic Italian phrases. Even a "grazie" and a "per favore" go a long way. And for GOD'S SAKE, bring comfortable shoes. Your feet will thank me later. And don't, I repeat, don't try to take a selfie with the pigeons. It never ends well. Good luck and enjoy! Venice is waiting!
