This hotel is expensive, but other than that there's nothing to complain about and plenty to love. It's in a lovingly-remodeled old palace right on the Grand Canal, with beautiful furnishings, an ideal location very near the Rialto Bridge, and wonderful views from the canal-side rooms and from the hotel's canal-side terrace. It's very small and family-run, and the owner was clearly very proud of it when he showed us around after check-in. The breakfast buffet was wonderful - many many dishes, including some hot dishes made to order. The staff was always extremely helpful and welcoming.

We first visited this hotel in 2008 and enjoyed every minute of it so we returned again this year for four nights. Venice, of course, is a mystical place, and it somehow manages to inspire even with the relentless crowds that dominate all the most famous sites. The Al Ponte Antico is the perfect island of tranquility away from the crowds, where you can view the Grand Canal in relative solitude. The hotel's balcony/patio overlooks that canal, with an expansive view extending from the Rialto Bridge on one side, to several hundred yards of historic buildings along the banks of the canal as it curves out of sight on the other. My wife and I found this view to be endlessly entertaining as the city's ordinary life went on before us, with delivery boats, garbage boats, taxi boats, police boats, vaporettos, gondolas and countless other means of water transport passing before us. Having a spritz in our hands as we took all this in was an added bonus!
I think that the charms of Venice would suffice to reward any journey there. However, the ideal location of the Al Ponte Antico, combined with the warm and attentive owner and staff, makes ones stay in Venice truly memorable. The hotel is Paruch family owned and Mateo Paruch spends at least half of each day at the hotel, and is a pleasure to chat with. Among many other courtesies, he suggested and reserved excellent restaurants for our dinners every evening. Also, knowing that the day of our arrival was my birthday, he saw to it that a chilled bottle of Prosecco awaited us in our room. His staff, Max, Rosalba, Armando, Oliver and Tommaso, are all friendly and pleasant -- and efficient. From when we first arrived at the dock until we left, we were addressed by our first names and were made to feel part of a very warm family.
Incidentally, our room was very comfortable, with effective air conditioning (which was essential when we were there), a spacious bathroom and a shower that, unlike most we encountered in Italy, you could actually move around in.

My husband, two adult children and I stayed at the Al Ponte Antico Hotel in Venice for two nights. The owner was an absolute delight and glad to help in any way. Our room faced the Grand Canal. We felt like we were on the water and could touch the boats passing. Such a fun experience!
The upstairs veranda was a lovely place to start the day with a very nice breakfast included in the price.
The rooms are well appointed with period pieces, modern bathroom setups and working AC. Five minute walk to St. Mark's Square and 2 minutes to Rialta Bridge---fantastic location!!