A wall of windows makes this the hotel of choice for soaking up extraordinary, sweeping views of the lagoon and the island of San Giorgio. The downstairs restaurant is all glass, light, and water views, and the superior rooms and junior suites offer the same spectacle. The vista must have been pleasing to Tchaikovsky, who wrote his 4th Symphony here in 1877. Neoclassical public rooms, with splashes of blue-and-green glass suggesting the sea, play nicely off guest rooms, which have fine fabric, damask drapes, Biedermeier furniture, and Venetian glass. The staff is top-notch, as are the restaurant and the bar. Pros: Superlative views, professional service. Con: The Riva's liveliness extends late into the evening.
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