Hotel Bauer, located within sight of San Marco Square, with the unique breathtaking view of
the lagoon, is run today like the most elegant, romantic private Venetian Palazzo. The
well-known luxury and modern facilities are perfectly blended into an old-world atmosphere.
Guests can feel the real Venetian atmosphere, surrounded by the quietness of the city, rocked
by the serenades of the gondoliers and by the sight of the magnificent and captivating view of
the Basin of San Marco, the Venetian lagoon and the city.
The Bauer is the only grand hotel in Venice since 1880, known as "Grand Hotel
d'Italie Bauer Grünwald", outcome of a happy marriage between Mr Julius Grünwald and
Mr Bauer's daughter, described in the Sylvus guide as "a first-class hotel with more
than 200 rooms, drawing-rooms, and apartments at the most beautiful location in Venice".
Throughout the years, the hotel has been the favourite destination of the International and
Financial Jet Set, Prime Ministers, Royal Families and famous stars of the artistic world who
chose the Bauer for its warm hospitality, efficient and personalised service.
A substantial refurbishing, started in winter 1997 under the guidance of the heir of the new
generation with an investment of over US$ 38.000.000 has been completed in autumn 1999. The
Bauer has opened all its doors: the Bauer Hotel with 102 deluxe rooms, 19 suites and junior
suites and "Il Palazzo at the Bauer", the VIP historical wing with its 35 palatial
rooms and 40 unique luxurious suites and junior suites, each of them individually furnished and
decorated, most with large terraces and balconies from where clients can feel the real Venetian
atmosphere, surrounded by the quietness of the city, rocked by the serenades of the gondoliers
and by the sight of the magnificent and captivating view of the Basin of San Marco, the
Venetian lagoon and the city.
HistorySince first opening its doors in 1880, the Bauer has set the standard for hospitality in
Venice. Known for years as the Bauer-Grünwald, the original hotel was a partnership between Mr.
Bauer, the experienced and respected director of Venice's Hotel de la Ville, and an
enterprising young Austrian newly arrived in Venice by the name of Julius Grünwald. Marriage
between young Grünwald and Mr. Bauer's daughter, firmly cemented the two men's
partnership and established a BAUER tradition of family management that continues right down to
the present day.
After Grünwald's death, his heirs continued to run the hotel until selling the Bauer in
1930 to Arnaldo Bennati, a successful Ligurian shipbuilder with a keen nose for real estate and
a passion for the hospitality industry. The Bennati family still owns and runs the Bauer today.
Arnaldo Bennati closed the Bauer for almost the entire decade of the '40s and undertook the
first extensive renovation of the hotel.
This included a careful ground-up restoration of the 18th century "palazzo" on the
Grand Canal, to which an original 17th century facade, in gothic-byzantine style, was added,
and the construction of a completely new wing on the Campo San Moisè designed in the
architectural style of the day. Among the highlights of this renovation were the addition of
the 7th floor terrace, "Settimo Cielo", still the highest outdoor terrace in Venice,
as well as the introduction of the central heat and air conditioning, amenities that were
exceptional for those years. When the Bauer reopened in 1949, it was the most up-to date hotel
in Venice.
Today, the BAUER is run by a third generation of the Bennati family. In 1997 Francesca
Bortolotto Possati, granddaughter of Arnaldo Bennati, became Chairman and CEO of the hotel. She
is the only executive-level female hotelier in Venice and she has approached her role with a
confidence and sureness of instinct that is deeply rooted in her lifelong love for the BAUER.
In the spirit of her grandfather, her first act at the helm was to undertake a massive 38
million dollar, two-year renovation of the hotel, which encompassed everything from engineering
and systems to dècor and furnishings.
Completed in late 1999, the BAUER has been reconceived as a property with two unique
personalities: the Bauer Hotel a deluxe, five-star hotel in the modern wing, and "Il
Palazzo" at the Bauer, an opulent boutique hotel in the 18th -century palazzo. The
renovation has seamlessly wed state-of-the-art technology to the traditional artisan
craftsmanship for which Venice is world-renowned. While embracing the spirit and romance of its
Old World past, the BAUER is ready to serve its guests far into the new century.
Hotel Bauer is located in the heart of the historical Venice, 5 minutes walking
distance from San Marco Square, overlooking the Grand Canal. The closest point to the hotel
reachable by car (and the only one in Venice where you can drive) is Piazzale Roma. From
Piazzale Roma (car parking) or the railway station Santa Lucia to the hotel.
From Piazzale Roma (car parking) or the railway station Santa Lucia to the hotel:
- Public Boat, nr 1 or 82, to San Marco stop; it takes about 40 minutes by line 1 and 25
minutes by line 82. From San Marco stop to the hotel clients have to walk (less than 5
minutes) straight on to the end of Calle Vallaresso than turn on the left side to Campo San
Moisé.
- Private taxi boat: about 15/20 minutes directly to the hotel dock.
From the Venice airport Marco Polo:
- Shuttle boat to San Marco (1 hour) and than 10 minutes on foot to the hotel.
- Private taxi boat: about 30/40 minutes directly to the hotel dock.
From the pier San Basilio:
- Public boat nr 82 to San Zaccaria stop (15 minutes) and than 15 minutes on foot to the
hotel.
- Private taxi boat: about 15/20 minutes directly to the hotel doc.
"De Pisis"is a well known gourmet restaurant with a wonderful terrace overlooking
Grand Canal serving international cuisine influenced by regional and
Mediterranean traditions and typical venetian dishes.
"Bar Canale"is an elegant and cosy bar with a terrace overlooking the Grand Canal and
the Chiesa della Salute. Evening live music during the summer months.
"B-Bar" is an intimate Lounge bar for cocktails and small snacks, with live music. Open
during the winter months.
