Built in 1860 and credited as the place where Tchaikovsky stayed and composed his Fourth Symphony in 1877, the Londra Palace was JDB's first hotel in Venice in 1987. For years the Londra Palace has always been a favorite of JDB clients, with its perfect location on the Grand Canal. During the winter of 2009, the lobby level will undergo a complete restyling under the direction of a well-established interior architect. The owners are committed to keeping the hotel in excellent condition and are constantly making changes and updating facilities.
Boasting 100 windows facing the Grand Canal, the rooms are beautifully appointed and feature upholstered walls, gorgeous marble bathrooms, and double pane glass windows. Rooms without canal view - equally beautifully appointed - overlook the rooftops of Venice and are usually very quiet.
The hotel's restaurant Do Leoni (named for the lion of San Marco) offers dining directly on the Grand Canal to the accompaniment of a saxophone player most of the year. And what a great chef the hotel has! During a tasting menu, he appeared with each of the seven courses to be sure we were enjoying everything.
The hotel's excellent staff, led by the very capable Mauro Zanotti, a friend of JDB for many years, is expert at anticipating the needs of their guests. We think that Aldo Bullo, the hotel's longest tenured concierge, may have known Tchaikovsky personally, he has been at the hotel so long!
NOTE: SAN ZACCARIA is the closest stop when guests are taking the public vaporetto. There is a taxi stop across from the entrance of the hotel for private taxi boats.
