Messner Palace

The entrance and reception of Messner Palace are beautiful, with a traditional Venetian appearance. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of our stay. The contrast with the accommodation was shocking. We paid for a three-night stay in the alleged four-star hotel. Our first room was in the main hotel. Although the carpet was faded, we accepted this as wear and tear in an older building. However, the door would not lock. We reported this, but the problem remained unresolved, leaving us to choose between an insecure room or their sister property, described as a slightly smaller but essentially similar three-star hotel. We didn’t spend long enough in the first room to assess it for mould or similar issues. We left due to the unresolved security issue, not its general condition. Unfortunately, the second room, in the sister hotel, was appalling. This went far beyond ordinary wear and tear. The shower curtain, bathroom corners and sealant had black mould. There was mould-like staining on the carpet leading to the bed, and the bathroom threshold was cracked and discoloured. I avoided stepping on the carpet barefoot. My partner initially thought I was overreacting but was equally horrified when he looked closer. We then noticed: • Thick dust along floors, walls, furniture, radiator and even the light switch. • Stained curtains. • An air-conditioning unit covered in black mould-like growth and heavy dust, with similar staining on the ceiling above. As someone with asthma, I found this particularly concerning. • Yellow/brown stains on the mattress, with no visible mattress protector. • Damaged bedside tables with peeling paint, chips and stains. • Dust-covered, torn fabric wall coverings and holes in the walls. • An insecure bed base: my partner nearly fell through when the mattress sank between the supporting bars. We couldn’t stay and contacted the booking company, providing photos. After reviewing the evidence, they arranged alternative accommodation. When my partner returned the key and explained we were leaving due to the mould, the gentleman at reception shrugged and said, “Well, I changed rooms for you.” There was no meaningful acknowledgement or apology. We also struggled to obtain our city tax refund. On returning the next day, staff initially ignored us. The same gentleman eventually appeared, said he didn’t remember us and struggled to find our booking. He then asked if we had change for a €50 note and seemed frustrated when we didn’t, telling us to return another day. Eventually, after we insisted we couldn’t keep coming back, the correct amount was refunded. To add to the experience, within 24 hours of sitting on one of the beds, I developed five intensely itchy/sore bites and consulted a pharmacist due to my skin reaction. After seeing them, she said she thought they were more likely to be bed bug bites than mosquito bites. I cannot confirm their cause, but this added considerably to our concerns about cleanliness. To be fair, the reception is attractive, and we did receive the city tax back. However, these positives do little to compensate for the experience. The alternative hotel arranged for us was also three-star, yet far exceeded Messner Palace’s so-called four-star standards. It was clean, comfortable and well maintained, making the contrast even more striking. I genuinely don’t understand how Messner Palace received its four-star rating. We appreciate that historic Venetian buildings can be old and never expected everything to be brand new. However, there is a significant difference between an older building and accommodation that appears dirty, poorly maintained and unsuitable to stay in.

DO NOT BOOK THIS HOTEL. The room was not clean. The carpet was faded and dirty (years of accumulated dirt). The room was dusty in many places. The dust is noticeable immediately at the front desk when checking in . The shower was moldy and had not visible drainage. Mold is visible in the shower. Bottom line, do not book this hotel if you want to have a good start for your vacation in Venice.

The hotel is a historical building, the hotel area, rooms and restaurant area are novely decorared, though what is not so good, is the maintenance od the room. The climatization was leaking and a bucket was placed below it, though that would be not the worst. The shower needs to be changed because it IS damp and damaged. I chose this hotel because of the breakfast menu and I received an announcement - when it was not possible to cancel tie booking without losing money - that there will be no breakfast. No further explanation or answer to question why this happened. Though there was a group of cca 6 asian tourists who were very noisy during the night, and for them they didn't dare to not prepare breakfast, though they tried to hide it ;-) though the restaurant was nice and we received a discount for being accomodated there, as declared. Though next time I will choose based on guest's evaluation and not based on stars.

The room was in terrible condition. The night porter was incredibly unfriendly and incompetent. The room was dirtier and more run-down than I had ever seen before. I paid €1'000 per night and was appalled. The only bedding provided was an old, grubby wool blanket. I cut my stay short and checked out immediately. Unfortunately, I have not received a refund to this day, as was promised on-site. This hotel is far away from 4 star and is worse than every youth hostel.