Interview with Mr. Alain Bullo General Manager of Hotel Londra Venice

General Manager of Londra Hotel Venice

How did you get started in the hospitality industry?

I started more than twenty years ago. I finished my studies in foreign language and literature in Venice and then went on to university for my masters, studying business tourism administration. At the time my father was working in the hotel business so I said, I will never work in the hotel business. The moral of the story is never say never.

Is the Londra Palace part of a hotel group?

It is a private owned hotel but is affiliated with Relais & Châteaux.

How many rooms does the Londra have?

We have 53 rooms, all appointed differently and what is really nice here is that most of the rooms face the lagoon, and the others that are on the back still have a spectacular view of the beautiful city of Venice.

I understand that you have a very famous restaurant on property?

Yes, it’s called Do Leone which in Venetian means, the two lions. In the lobby of the hotel we have a letter that Tchaikovsky wrote when he stayed at the hotel and during his stay he worked on what would become the Symphony No. 4 but it originally it was entitled “Do Leoni.”

What is your ongoing strategy and vision for the hotel?

We became a five star hotel roughly two years ago, but in truth we’ve always been a five star hotel. Little by little we try to improve each day. We are not a large hotel so it really comes down to details, authenticity and atmosphere. This is why for example, we keep small touches like having a key, because we want to maintain that interaction and guests really enjoy it.

Who is the Londra Palace guest?

It’s couples in love, families, it’s everyone. We seek people that want to feel at home but want a sense of luxury too.

How would you describe the Londra Palace to someone that has never visited?

The Palace is modern and it’s classical. It has all the elements that you would expect in a Venetian home. Before you open the windows and see the beautiful view, you already know you are in Venice.