Review of Hotel Flora 3*

I first discovered the Hotel Flora online through Trip Advisor last year and booked a single room for two nights in early June. Of course, online reviews at different sites are excellent, and I liked the look of the hotel instantly in photos: beautiful, cozy, quiet. I traveled alone to Venice last summer for pleasure, as I did just two weeks ago for work, and I was not disappointed in my decision to stay at the Hotel Flora: indeed, I knew I would be returning to Venice in the… fall, and there was no question in my mind that I would choose the Hotel Flora again. Last summer I was treated with thoughtfulness, kindness, courtesy, and unfailing patience, all at the height of the tourist season when demands upon hotel staff are especially great, and though I was there for only two nights, I was made to feel at home. These are some of the signs of an excellent hotel and staff. In my most recent stay two weeks ago, I was treated just as professionally, but perhaps because I was able to stay a little longer this time and have some informal conversations with Giovanni and Vinicio in the course of my days there, I felt even more fortunate. They’re considerate and interesting people. I’m lucky to have visited Venice a number of times in the past 30 years, but I do not speak Italian (to my shame) and I am always a tourist. Giovanni was kind enough to direct me to a special shop (La Fenice) when I admired a leather book; Vinicio quickly figured out that I was partial to Negroni cocktails and greeted me after long days at a conference or of other work with the offer of a much-appreciated drink. Occasionally I’d work in the morning or afternoon at the hotel in the garden or the breakfast room, and people kept an eyeout for me very pleasantly and unobtrusively. And so I was genuinely sad to leave Venice, to leave the Hotel Flora, and to say goodbye to people who had made my stay so pleasant. It’s a special place, and Giovanni and Vinicio seem like remarkable people, in addition to being extremelyprofessional and good at their jobs. I can’t thank them adequately or extend enough good wishes to them and their families for the future.