I chose Hotel Al Piave because of the excellent location and the overall phenomenal reviews. It seems like the overwhelming majority of patrons have had an excellent experience here. However, I have to share my encounter with what will now be referred to as THE ROOM.
When I arrived at Al Piave, I was immediately told "You are aware that THE ROOM is non-refundable, yes?" Ominous. Yes, I was aware from when I booked it through Hotels.com. I was taken to THE ROOM via a tiny elevator. As we rode, the concierge assured me that THE ROOM has a private bathroom. Ominous. What was made clear shortly after disembarking the elevator was that THE ROOM indeed had a private bathroom, however it was across the hall. THE ROOM itself consisted of a bed, a desk, a very small wardrobe, a very very small dresser and a night table with a lamp sans lampshade. All this was within a space approximately 6' by 7'. Conspicuously absent from THE ROOM was a mini-bar. This is not usually a problem, but in a city like venice where your options for purchasing beverages outside a bar or restaurant after a certain hour become extremely limited, it makes everything a little bit more difficult. I was given the impression that all the rooms in Al Piave have their own bathroom AND mini bar. Which is apparently true, except for THE ROOM. I paid 92 EU a night for THE ROOM. If I wanted to stay in hostel-like conditions, I would have and would have certainly paid less than 92 EU a night. I know, I looked.