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.
- 24 hour room service.
- Nightly turn-down service.
- Business secretarial service.
- Baby-sitting, laundry and valet service.
- 18 hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, horse riding, beach and watersports
available nearby, at the Lido.
- Our concierges are at guests' disposal for excursions, sightseeing, private
transfers, car parking, theatre tickets, restaurants reservations and travel
arrangements.
- Meeting & Convention Center at Palazzo Zitelle.
The Hotel Bauer, located in the new section of the hotel, built between 1942 and 1949,
proposes 96 spacious and luxurious guest rooms and 21 suites, appointed in a classic XX
century' style with lots of Venetian accents, where you can feel the real Venetian
atmosphere. The main entrance is located on Campo San Moise, close to the small lateral canal
surrounded by gondoliers during the day and the evening in summer time. All the rooms and
suites are equipped with king or twin size bed, Italians marble bathroom, hairdryer, minibar,
individual controlled air-conditioned, international direct-dial telephone, satellite TV, PC
outlet and walk-in closet.
De Luxe Room:
These 50 completely renovated rooms, overlooking the small side canal, Rio San Moisè, or
with panoramic view of the city, are large about 30 mq. and some with balcony or terrace
available on request.
Superior Room:
These 46 spacious and confortable double rooms, some overlooking the interior courtyard,
some others overlooking Rio San Moisè or Campo San Moise are just perfect to forget the stress
of a long journey.
Suite:
Located in the renovated modern wing of the Hotel and some overlooking the private small
courtyard, others with view on the side small canal or on Campo San Moise, these 17 luxurious
suites are large about 50mq, and feature some with 2 Italian marble bathrooms (Bathtub and
Shower), walk-in closet, private fax, electric fireplace in the sitting room, special fabrics
designed by Rubelli, original Murano Glass Chandeliers, European Classic Style and tromp-oeil
dream.
Junior Suite:
Overlooking Campo San Moisè or the small side canal, Rio San Moisè, these 4 suites are
equipped with modern furniture and PC outlet. Some have private terrace or balcony available on
request.
