Local Guides World
Patrick Hofbauer
1 reviews on 1 places
Bottom line: DO NOT VISIT UNTIL RENOVATED (and maybe still not thereafter)!
We have visited many 5-star hotels across the world, but unfortunately the Bauer Hotel in its current condition does not fit into this category anymore. It is well known that the Bauer Hotel is a “historical” hotel, and there is perhaps a charm to the concept of staying at a Hotel that was established in the late 19th century, but the current state of the Bauer is unacceptable for the 21st-century, discerning luxury-category traveler.
Our arrival already marked a darkly ominous start to what would be a nightmare 3 day stay. Upon said arrival, we had to wait a good 5 minutes until staff was ready to check us in (already unacceptable in any 5-star hotel). During check-in we were told that they had “upgraded” us to an executive suite. Upon hearing this we were of course delighted (who doesn’t like a free upgrade?). We went to lunch with smiles on our faces (the room was still being made) - unaware of the horror that was to come.
Upon arrival back in the hotel, the reception staff showed us our “executive suite”. Let me tell you, all the positive feelings I had of just arriving in Venice immediately left my body as I stepped inside of this “suite”. The room felt depressing. It was exceptionally dark, the bathroom was very small for a “executive suite”, the furniture seemed like it belonged into a repair shop for museum artifacts. The view was alright (partially overlooking the Grand candle), but there really was only one meaningful window in the entire room, so that wasn’t exactly adequate compensation. Moreover, the room was only semi-clean (hairs in the bathroom, stains in the carpet).
Upon encountering this horror of a room, we decided we would refuse the so called “room upgrade” and request the room we had originally booked (a junior suite). Thankfully, the staff (after a bit of a discussion) gracefully allowed us to stay in the room we had actually booked.
This room was certainly nicer (more windows, much larger bathroom, still a decent canal view). Unfortunately the furniture and interior design was still severely lacking. The toilet broke down during our stay, there was no key for the safe (you have to call down to the reception for this - why?), no complimentary water (only in the evening - again why?), no fruits, chocolate or any welcome letter to greet you, the TV was locked behind the cabinet (only in the evening after turn down do they open the cabinet and and allow you to use the TV apparently), poor quality of shampoo, body wash and conditioner, etc… To be fair, the water pressure of the shower was excellent and the beds were fine (hence 2/5 and not 1/5 for this review).
Regarding the service, it seems a good number of the staff has lost the motivation to be friendly and welcoming to guests. The management was nowhere to be seen (not surprising given the state of the hotel and service). The concierge has zero pull to get you good restaurant reservations and they already have trouble booking water taxis in advance (it seems the Bauer Hotel has lost all the “soft power” it perhaps had some decades ago). We had a drink at the bar and it took 15 minutes for a waiter to ask us for the order (the people on the table next to us had to go to the bar directly so that they could even place their order).
This is a long review so I will spare you any more of the headache-inducing details we had to witness during our stay here. During checkout we shared some of our issues with the reception staff and they told us the hotel will soon be closed for much-needed reservations.
We felt like idiots booking the Bauer and expecting a solid 5-star experience. Perhaps the new management will be able to pull off a miracle renovation and restore this establishment to former glory (I wish them well). Certainly there will also be a “renovation” of the staff and in particular, management personnel.
Until then stay at another of the other luxury establishments in Venice (hint: one of the recently renovated ones). Don’t make the same mistake we did!
We have visited many 5-star hotels across the world, but unfortunately the Bauer Hotel in its current condition does not fit into this category anymore. It is well known that the Bauer Hotel is a “historical” hotel, and there is perhaps a charm to the concept of staying at a Hotel that was established in the late 19th century, but the current state of the Bauer is unacceptable for the 21st-century, discerning luxury-category traveler.
Our arrival already marked a darkly ominous start to what would be a nightmare 3 day stay. Upon said arrival, we had to wait a good 5 minutes until staff was ready to check us in (already unacceptable in any 5-star hotel). During check-in we were told that they had “upgraded” us to an executive suite. Upon hearing this we were of course delighted (who doesn’t like a free upgrade?). We went to lunch with smiles on our faces (the room was still being made) - unaware of the horror that was to come.
Upon arrival back in the hotel, the reception staff showed us our “executive suite”. Let me tell you, all the positive feelings I had of just arriving in Venice immediately left my body as I stepped inside of this “suite”. The room felt depressing. It was exceptionally dark, the bathroom was very small for a “executive suite”, the furniture seemed like it belonged into a repair shop for museum artifacts. The view was alright (partially overlooking the Grand candle), but there really was only one meaningful window in the entire room, so that wasn’t exactly adequate compensation. Moreover, the room was only semi-clean (hairs in the bathroom, stains in the carpet).
Upon encountering this horror of a room, we decided we would refuse the so called “room upgrade” and request the room we had originally booked (a junior suite). Thankfully, the staff (after a bit of a discussion) gracefully allowed us to stay in the room we had actually booked.
This room was certainly nicer (more windows, much larger bathroom, still a decent canal view). Unfortunately the furniture and interior design was still severely lacking. The toilet broke down during our stay, there was no key for the safe (you have to call down to the reception for this - why?), no complimentary water (only in the evening - again why?), no fruits, chocolate or any welcome letter to greet you, the TV was locked behind the cabinet (only in the evening after turn down do they open the cabinet and and allow you to use the TV apparently), poor quality of shampoo, body wash and conditioner, etc… To be fair, the water pressure of the shower was excellent and the beds were fine (hence 2/5 and not 1/5 for this review).
Regarding the service, it seems a good number of the staff has lost the motivation to be friendly and welcoming to guests. The management was nowhere to be seen (not surprising given the state of the hotel and service). The concierge has zero pull to get you good restaurant reservations and they already have trouble booking water taxis in advance (it seems the Bauer Hotel has lost all the “soft power” it perhaps had some decades ago). We had a drink at the bar and it took 15 minutes for a waiter to ask us for the order (the people on the table next to us had to go to the bar directly so that they could even place their order).
This is a long review so I will spare you any more of the headache-inducing details we had to witness during our stay here. During checkout we shared some of our issues with the reception staff and they told us the hotel will soon be closed for much-needed reservations.
We felt like idiots booking the Bauer and expecting a solid 5-star experience. Perhaps the new management will be able to pull off a miracle renovation and restore this establishment to former glory (I wish them well). Certainly there will also be a “renovation” of the staff and in particular, management personnel.
Until then stay at another of the other luxury establishments in Venice (hint: one of the recently renovated ones). Don’t make the same mistake we did!