Latest news with #Spider-Man:FarFromHome
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Fan-Favorite 'Schitt's Creek' Star Joins MCU
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The Marvel Cinematic Universe has served as an excellent way for television stars to make a highly visible transition to the big screen. This has been proven true for multiple actors, including Chris Pratt, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, Emma Corrin, and Joseph Quinn in the upcoming "Fantastic Four: First Steps." More Entertainment: Star Wars Icon Says He's Done With The Franchise Now, a fan-favorite star from the hit comedy series "Schitt's Creek" will officially be joining the MCU. 'Schitt's Creek' broke a number of Emmy records 'Schitt's Creek' broke a number of Emmy records Pop TV According to a report from Adam B. Vary of Variety, Emily Hampshire, known for playing Stevie Budd in "Schitt's Creek," has been cast in the upcoming Disney+ series "Vision Quest" as E.D.I.T.H. Marvel's "Vision" series has cast 'Schitt's Creek' star Emily Hampshire as E.D.I.T.H., the Stark Industries artificial intelligence introduced in 'Spider-Man: Far From Home.' She joins Paul Bettany in the — Variety (@Variety) June 4, 2025 E.D.I.T.H., which stands for "Even Dead, I'm The Hero," was first introduced into the MCU in "Spider-Man: Far From Home" as the sunglasses gifted to Peter Parker (Tom Holland) by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). The glasses were later given to Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) by Parker before being retrieved once his nefarious plans were known. After Parker was revealed to be Spider-Man, the glasses were confiscated and haven't been seen since. More Entertainment: 'The Boys' Antony Starr Calls Out Fans 'Glorifying' Homelander Hampshire will be joining a cast led by Paul Bettany as Vision, who was last seen in the hit series "WandaVision." Also returning is James Spader as Ultron, who was last seen in "Avengers: Age of Ultron." Other members of the cast include T'Nia Miller as Jocasta, Ruaridh Mollica as Tucker, and Todd Stashwick as an assassin who is hunting Vision. More Entertainment: James Gunn Responds to 'Superman' Rumor Hampshire has been acting professionally since 1994, when she made her debut in "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" Since then, she has starred in such projects as "Boy Meets Girl," "Snow Cake," the "12 Monkeys" television series, and "Ruby Gloom." Hampshire has also had voice acting roles in "Braceface," "Anne of Green Gables: The Animates Series," and "6Teen." However, Hampshire is most well-known for her performance as Stevie Budd in "Schitt's Creek." The best friend of David Rose (Daniel Levy), Hampshire became beloved by fans for her dry sense of humor and no-nonsense attitude. She won countless awards for her performance, including the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. More Entertainment: Stephen King 'Carrie' Remake Officially Reveals Main Cast Fact-Check: Is Flick Offers a Real Way to Make Money on Netflix—or a Scam?' For more Marvel, television, and entertainment news, head on over to Newsweek Entertainment.
Ya Biladi
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Morocco reportedly considered as filming location for next Spider-Man film
The upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film «Spider-Man: Brand New Day» will reportedly expand its filming locations to include Morocco, alongside the United Kingdom, where the production headquarters will be based. Insider Daniel Richtman reports that the film will adopt a more international approach, similar to «Spider-Man: Far From Home». This development suggests that Peter Parker's story will once again extend beyond New York City, following his previous ventures to Washington, D.C., in «Homecoming» and across Europe in «Far From Home». The Moroccan filming locations could provide exotic and visually distinctive settings, potentially revitalizing the franchise's visual style. This international expansion may also introduce new characters, cultures, and dynamics within a broader narrative context, possibly creating connections with other Marvel heroes. «Spider-Man: Brand New Day» is currently in pre-production, with filming scheduled to begin in August. Tom Holland will reprise his role as Spider-Man, with rumors suggesting that Steven Yeun may portray the villain Mr. Negative. While no official plot details have been revealed, these reports indicate an ambitious project designed to further expand Spider-Man's horizons in the MCU.
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Marvel and Disney's Thunderbolts proves hit at the box office
Marvel and Disney's newest release Thunderbolts* has proved a hit at the box office, after taking an estimated $162m (£122m) film, which both production houses hope will kickstart a new franchise, is based around lesser-known superheroes who have to take on human and superhuman threats whilst fighting their own personal stars Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan in two of the main roles, alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David not all critic reviews have been favourable, the movie has been a hit with superhero fans - drawing in an impressive 95 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It means the film receives the third highest audience score for a Marvel title, tying with Spider-Man: Far From Home and behind Shangi-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Spider-Man: No Way all critics have not treated the film as favourably, with Empire's John Nugent noting that the film is "missing a bit of colour - literally, in the washed-out palette and CG shadow-threat that dominates the latter half of the film — and figuratively, in its subject matter".He adds that the topics covered, including suicide, depression and domestic violence are "not always sensitively handled".Radheyan Simonpillai at The Guardian gives the film three stars, citing that although the film is "the best thing to come from the brand [Marvel] since WandaVision", "Thunderbolts often irritates because the depression and trauma the movie supposedly grapples with so often lives on the surface".Simonpillai is full of praise for Pugh though, "who can wrestle sincerity out of a screenplay (and a franchise) that has so little". However, Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent looks on the film a little more favourably, giving it four stars and calling it "the best Marvel movie in years"."Thunderbolts does feel different to what's come before."It's the first of its kind to seem genuinely self-aware - Thunderbolts might actually then be the ultimate Marvel film for now," she fatigue when it comes to Marvel films is a genuine concern for the studio, which has been trying to pivot away from the characters from the main Marvel Cinematic Universe since the release of Avengers: Endgame in is perhaps why Deadpool & Wolverine was a big hit for Marvel last summer, as it featured characters that have been less front and centre for them, with Thunderbolts* potentially following a similar path.
Times
29-04-2025
- Times
18 of the best affordable hotels in Venice under £200 a night
Glorious Venice, one of the most captivating cities in Europe, is often associated with extravagant prices but finding a charming, affordable hotel in this exquisite archipelago is easier than you might think. You'll find comfortable, traditional pensiones tucked away down hidden streets, ancient palazzos with frescoed ceilings, sleek and contemporary boutique bolt holes and restored fishermen's cottages. Some of the best value is to be found in the neighbourhoods away from the crowds —Dorsoduro, Cannaregio or Castello — but don't worry, you'll still be within easy reach of major attractions such as St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge. Visiting midweek and during the off-season, from November to February (excluding Carnival), will bag you an even better deal. Here's our pick of the best affordable hotels in Venice. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue 1. Avani Rio Novo Venice, Dorsoduro Best for modern minimalism The Avani's austere rationalist glass and stone exterior is a bit of a surprise if you're expecting typical Venetian Rococo flamboyance but this sleek, minimalist bolt hole has a great location in Dorsoduro, near the Grand Canal, and is a 15-minute walk from Santa Lucia station; it's also handy for some of the city's best art galleries and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Calm, light-filled rooms have parquet floors and the cinema-themed 8 Millimetri Cicchetti restaurant serves great pasta (the rabbit ragu is standout). The hotel can arrange mask-making with the company that designed the masks in Gossip Girl and Spider-Man: Far From Home, as well as Murano glass workshops and running tours. 2. Anda Venice, Mestre MARTA BUSO Best for partying The design-led Anda may be a hostel rather than a hotel and it's in Mestre on the mainland but it's a brilliant choice if you want to meet fellow travellers — there are events every night — and get insider tips (Rosticceria Gislon near the Rialto Bridge is one of its budget dining faves). There are cheerfully furnished double or twin rooms with private bathrooms as well as family-friendly private dorms sleeping up to six. Getting into Venice couldn't be easier: it's a few minutes walk from the station and the quickest trains into Venice take ten minutes. Book a stay 3. Hotel Belle Arti, Dorsoduro Hotel Belle Arti Best for location Dorsoduro is one of Venice's most interesting districts — and enjoys a quieter tourist footfall year round. You're also within easy reach of some great galleries, including the Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. This attractive three-star hotel has a charming and sizeable fountain courtyard where you can enjoy lazy breakfasts or simply flop after too much sightseeing. Bedrooms are full of Venetian flounce: Scarlet brocades, Murano glass lamps and gilded headboards — and all have air conditioning and decent bathrooms. 4. Pensione Seguso, Zattere Pensione Seguso Best for old-fashioned charm Channel your inner Anita Brookner at this eccentric long-standing two-star inn. In the past, blue-stocking academics would hole up here, attracted by the compulsory half-board tariff and money-saving shared bathrooms. These days you can just opt for a B&B stay, but the shared bathrooms still exist (they're spotless) unless you prefer a small en suite. The best rooms face the Zattere with peachy views over Giudecca. Expect loads of dusty antiques, ancient table linen, creaky floorboards and slightly dodgy electrics — not that it matters too much: Seguso exudes bygone times and has lashings of atmosphere. 5. Antica Locanda Montin, Dorsoduro Best for a quiet location This well-established locanda is best known for its romantic pergola-shaded restaurant (don't miss the Venetian staples fegato alla Veneziana and tiramisu) and its dozens of paintings by local artists. It's also almost impossible to find, tucked away as it is in the narrow calles of Dorsoduro. Above the restaurant are 12 attractively old-fashioned and homely bedrooms including a highly affordable single (though note it has no bathroom or air conditioning) — all with characteristic terrazzo floors and antique furniture. Ezra Pound stayed here and Bowie ate here, so you're in good company. Pensione Accademia EXPEDIA Best for atmosphere Imagine a country house hotel transplanted to Venice: the Pensione Accademia is a relaxing, flower-filled spot with pretty gardens front and back that overlooks not just one but three canals, as well as being just a ten-minute walk from the Accademia museum. Full of old-school charm, and run by the Salmasa family since the 1950s, it has rooms that are comfortable and immaculately maintained, the buffet breakfast is generous and there's a lovely courtyard that's perfect for a restorative glass of prosecco after a hard day's sightseeing. 7. Albergo Marin, Santa Croce Albergo Marin Best for friendly service One of the most charming little hotels in Venice, the family-run Albergo Marin has a brilliant location close to Piazzale Roma (the bus/car park). It's just a few steps from the Grand Canal but so tucked away that when you're sipping a cappuccino at one of the tables in front of the property, you'll feel far removed from the madness of the city centre. Some rooms have been stylishly revamped with refreshingly contemporary decor, the welcoming owner is happy to help with tips for exploring the city and there's always prosecco for breakfast. Hotel Galleria EXPEDIA Best for a romantic weekend Who doesn't dream of a room with a Grand Canal view for the ultimate Venetian experience? The small but perfectly formed Galleria, in a gorgeous 16th-century building, offers a budget-friendly combination of the classic vista and a lovely location right at the Ponte dell'Accademia in the heart of the Dorsoduro district. Breakfast is served in the rooms, all of which have parquet floors and ooze old-world charm; some have frescoed and stucco ceilings. And there are plenty of cafés and bars a short walk away, for dreamy sunset aperitifs and delicious cicchetti. Book a stay 9. Al Ponte Mocenigo, Santa Croce Al Ponte Mocenigo EXPEDIA Best for breakfast In a quiet spot behind the striking San Stae Church and a short stroll from the Rialto Bridge, this popular family-run hotel is just 50m from the San Stae vaporetto stop and accessible without having to cross any bridges (handy if you have heavy luggage). Rooms in opulent tones are on the lower two floors of a pretty palazzo, there's a pretty sunny courtyard for leisurely breakfasts and it's surrounded by museums, including the baroque Ca' Pesaro, where you can get a Klimt and Kandinsky fix, plus some fabulous little restaurants such as the Sicilian Bacarretto Bistro. 10. Hotel Dell'Opera, San Marco Best for central location Just five minutes' walk from St Mark's Square and right next to La Fenice Opera House, this converted palace is a fabulously central but calm canalside oasis, with notably friendly and helpful staff. There's splashy modern art in the lobby but don't be fooled, the elegant rooms are a traditional Venetian blend of damask, glass and terrazzo flooring. Don't miss the rooftop honesty bar, where you can gaze over the city with an Aperol spritz in hand. Book a stay 11. Venice Maggior Consiglio, Cannaregio Venice Maggior Consiglio EXPEDIA Best for design Most hotels in Venice are riots of damask, gilt and Murano glass. If you fancy something a little more 21st century and are arriving by train, staying at the Venice Maggior Consiglio — a five-minute walk from Santa Lucia station — is a no-brainer. Teal and lime velvet chairs in the lobby set the tone and rooms are refreshingly modern and minimalist, with feature walls and smart bathrooms. There are some great little restaurants nearby, including Osteria al Cicheto for fantastic squid-ink pasta and local wines. Book a stay 12. Hotel Villa Pannonia, Venice Lido Hotel Villa Pannonia EXPEDIA Best for families If you have kids in tow, the tiny rooms and narrow crowded streets of central Venice can be a trial, so stay on the Lido, where there's much more space to let off steam. The Villa Pannonia is near the boat station, Santa Maria Elisabetta, and its 30 quiet, bright and spacious rooms can accommodate cots and extra beds for little ones. Piazza San Marco is a 30-minute boat ride away and if you fancy getting out on the water yourself, the hotel can arrange a rowing session in a typical Venetian vessel. Book a stay 13. Ca' Dogaressa, Cannaregio Ca' Dogaressa Best for dining with the locals Tucked away on the Cannaregio canal, Ca' Dogaressa is in a prime spot easily accessible from the Guglie vaporetto stop, a short walk from the railway station and 30 minutes from St Mark's Square. It's surrounded by cafés and restaurants that, pleasingly, are full of locals rather than tourists. The Venetian Ghetto, with its maze of narrow streets, is nearby. Rooms are 18th-century Venetian in style, with high ceilings; some have canal views but, in common with many of the city's hotels, there's no lift. Book a stay 14. Hotel Ca' Formenta, Castello Best for art lovers One of Venice's best cheap hotels, the Ca' Formenta sits at the top of the distinctive Via Garibaldi, a wide street in Castello that was once a canal and is now full of cafés, bars and restaurants that attract as many locals as tourists. Rooms are cheerfully decorated in blue and yellow, with some overlooking the lagoon, and if the weather's fine, a people-watching breakfast alfresco at one of the tables in front of the hotel is a delight. The hotel is just a 15-minute stroll along the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront to St Mark's Square. 15. Hotel La Residenza, Castello Hotel La Residenza Best for history lovers La Residenza occupies a 15th-century gothic-Byzantine palace behind the Church of San Giovanni in Bragora (where Vivaldi was baptised). Originally home to the aristocratic Gritti family, it's an antique and tapestry-filled beauty; rooms have parquet floors, 18th-century paintings and period furniture and you can drink your morning espresso in a breakfast room lit by gorgeous chandeliers. Castello, the least touristy of Venice's neighbourhoods, is on the doorstep, the Biennale is next door and and the closest vaporetto stop is a two-minute walk away. Book a stay 16. Casa Burano, Burano Casa Burano Best for island life To really appreciate Venice you have to get out on the water. Burano, a small fishing island filled with rainbow-coloured houses is a popular day trip, but stay overnight in Casa Burano and you can experience the island like the locals. It's an albergo diffuso — a scattered hotel — spread across five houses, whose rooms display the best of Italian sleek design (there's no reception and you'll have your own front-door key). Breakfast arrives in hampers each morning and the hotel can arrange experiences such as a ride on abragozzo, a traditional wooden fishing boat, for drinks or a picnic. See more 17. Antica Locanda Sturion Residenza d'Epoca, San Polo Best for Grand Canal views On the top floor of an ancient palazzo on the Grand Canal and near the Rialto Bridge, this is one of the oldest hotels in the city and ideal for anyone visiting Venice who's determined to burn off holiday calories: it's up four flights of stairs and there's no lift. Red-and-gold rooms are fabulously maximalist and with such great views of the canal it's tempting to hang out in the breakfast room all day. But there's the excellent Rialto market to explore — stop off for a mid-morning prosecco like the traders do at Al Merca wine bar — and St Mark's Square is a ten-minute walk. Book a stay 18. Hotel Sant'Antonin, Castello Hotel Sant'Antonin EXPEDIA Best for peace and quiet In an idyllic hidden garden in quiet Castello, this new boutique hotel in an antique-filled palazzo is a short walk from the main attractions, but staying here is an escape from the crowds: don't be surprised if you wake up to a chorus of birdsong. The 14 spacious rooms are decorated in calming colours and have lovely views; have breakfast in bed or in the garden. There are lots of excellent restaurants nearby including tiny and cosy Al Covino (go for the surprise menu with matching wines).
Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
18 best affordable hotels in Venice under £200 a night
Glorious Venice, one of the most captivating cities in Europe, is often associated with extravagant prices but finding a charming, affordable hotel in this exquisite archipelago is easier than you might think. You'll find comfortable, traditional pensiones tucked away down hidden streets, ancient palazzos with frescoed ceilings, sleek and contemporary boutique bolt holes and restored fishermen's cottages. Some of the best value is to be found in the neighbourhoods away from the crowds —Dorsoduro, Cannaregio or Castello — but don't worry, you'll still be within easy reach of major attractions such as St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge. Visiting midweek and during the off-season, from November to February (excluding Carnival), will bag you an even better deal. Here's our pick of the best affordable hotels in Venice. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Best for modern minimalism The Avani's austere rationalist glass and stone exterior is a bit of a surprise if you're expecting typical Venetian Rococo flamboyance but this sleek, minimalist bolt hole has a great location in Dorsoduro, near the Grand Canal, and is a 15-minute walk from Santa Lucia station; it's also handy for some of the city's best art galleries and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Calm, light-filled rooms have parquet floors and the cinema-themed 8 Millimetri Cicchetti restaurant serves great pasta (the rabbit ragu is standout). The hotel can arrange mask-making with the company that designed the masks in Gossip Girl and Spider-Man: Far From Home, as well as Murano glass workshops and running tours. Best for partying The design-led Anda may be a hostel rather than a hotel and it's in Mestre on the mainland but it's a brilliant choice if you want to meet fellow travellers — there are events every night — and get insider tips (Rosticceria Gislon near the Rialto Bridge is one of its budget dining faves). There are cheerfully furnished double or twin rooms with private bathrooms as well as family-friendly private dorms sleeping up to six. Getting into Venice couldn't be easier: it's a few minutes walk from the station and the quickest trains into Venice take ten minutes. Best for location Dorsoduro is one of Venice's most interesting districts — and enjoys a quieter tourist footfall year round. You're also within easy reach of some great galleries, including the Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. This attractive three-star hotel has a charming and sizeable fountain courtyard where you can enjoy lazy breakfasts or simply flop after too much sightseeing. Bedrooms are full of Venetian flounce: Scarlet brocades, Murano glass lamps and gilded headboards — and all have air conditioning and decent bathrooms. Best for old-fashioned charm Channel your inner Anita Brookner at this eccentric long-standing two-star inn. In the past, blue-stocking academics would hole up here, attracted by the compulsory half-board tariff and money-saving shared bathrooms. These days you can just opt for a B&B stay, but the shared bathrooms still exist (they're spotless) unless you prefer a small en suite. The best rooms face the Zattere with peachy views over Giudecca. Expect loads of dusty antiques, ancient table linen, creaky floorboards and slightly dodgy electrics — not that it matters too much: Seguso exudes bygone times and has lashings of atmosphere. Best for a quiet location This well-established locanda is best known for its romantic pergola-shaded restaurant (don't miss the Venetian staples fegato alla Veneziana and tiramisu) and its dozens of paintings by local artists. It's also almost impossible to find, tucked away as it is in the narrow calles of Dorsoduro. Above the restaurant are 12 attractively old-fashioned and homely bedrooms including a highly affordable single (though note it has no bathroom or air conditioning) — all with characteristic terrazzo floors and antique furniture. Ezra Pound stayed here and Bowie ate here, so you're in good company. Best for atmosphere Imagine a country house hotel transplanted to Venice: the Pensione Accademia is a relaxing, flower-filled spot with pretty gardens front and back that overlooks not just one but three canals, as well as being just a ten-minute walk from the Accademia museum. Full of old-school charm, and run by the Salmasa family since the 1950s, it has rooms that are comfortable and immaculately maintained, the buffet breakfast is generous and there's a lovely courtyard that's perfect for a restorative glass of prosecco after a hard day's sightseeing. Best for friendly service One of the most charming little hotels in Venice, the family-run Albergo Marin has a brilliant location close to Piazzale Roma (the bus/car park). It's just a few steps from the Grand Canal but so tucked away that when you're sipping a cappuccino at one of the tables in front of the property, you'll feel far removed from the madness of the city centre. Some rooms have been stylishly revamped with refreshingly contemporary decor, the welcoming owner is happy to help with tips for exploring the city and there's always prosecco for breakfast. Best for a romantic weekend Who doesn't dream of a room with a Grand Canal view for the ultimate Venetian experience? The small but perfectly formed Galleria, in a gorgeous 16th-century building, offers a budget-friendly combination of the classic vista and a lovely location right at the Ponte dell'Accademia in the heart of the Dorsoduro district. Breakfast is served in the rooms, all of which have parquet floors and ooze old-world charm; some have frescoed and stucco ceilings. And there are plenty of cafés and bars a short walk away, for dreamy sunset aperitifs and delicious cicchetti. Best for breakfast In a quiet spot behind the striking San Stae Church and a short stroll from the Rialto Bridge, this popular family-run hotel is just 50m from the San Stae vaporetto stop and accessible without having to cross any bridges (handy if you have heavy luggage). Rooms in opulent tones are on the lower two floors of a pretty palazzo, there's a pretty sunny courtyard for leisurely breakfasts and it's surrounded by museums, including the baroque Ca' Pesaro, where you can get a Klimt and Kandinsky fix, plus some fabulous little restaurants such as the Sicilian Bacarretto Bistro. Best for central location Just five minutes' walk from St Mark's Square and right next to La Fenice Opera House, this converted palace is a fabulously central but calm canalside oasis, with notably friendly and helpful staff. There's splashy modern art in the lobby but don't be fooled, the elegant rooms are a traditional Venetian blend of damask, glass and terrazzo flooring. Don't miss the rooftop honesty bar, where you can gaze over the city with an Aperol spritz in hand. Best for design Most hotels in Venice are riots of damask, gilt and Murano glass. If you fancy something a little more 21st century and are arriving by train, staying at the Venice Maggior Consiglio — a five-minute walk from Santa Lucia station — is a no-brainer. Teal and lime velvet chairs in the lobby set the tone and rooms are refreshingly modern and minimalist, with feature walls and smart bathrooms. There are some great little restaurants nearby, including Osteria al Cicheto for fantastic squid-ink pasta and local wines. Best for families If you have kids in tow, the tiny rooms and narrow crowded streets of central Venice can be a trial, so stay on the Lido, where there's much more space to let off steam. The Villa Pannonia is near the boat station, Santa Maria Elisabetta, and its 30 quiet, bright and spacious rooms can accommodate cots and extra beds for little ones. Piazza San Marco is a 30-minute boat ride away and if you fancy getting out on the water yourself, the hotel can arrange a rowing session in a typical Venetian vessel. Best for dining with the locals Tucked away on the Cannaregio canal, Ca' Dogaressa is in a prime spot easily accessible from the Guglie vaporetto stop, a short walk from the railway station and 30 minutes from St Mark's Square. It's surrounded by cafés and restaurants that, pleasingly, are full of locals rather than tourists. The Venetian Ghetto, with its maze of narrow streets, is nearby. Rooms are 18th-century Venetian in style, with high ceilings; some have canal views but, in common with many of the city's hotels, there's no lift. Best for art lovers One of Venice's best cheap hotels, the Ca' Formenta sits at the top of the distinctive Via Garibaldi, a wide street in Castello that was once a canal and is now full of cafés, bars and restaurants that attract as many locals as tourists. Rooms are cheerfully decorated in blue and yellow, with some overlooking the lagoon, and if the weather's fine, a people-watching breakfast alfresco at one of the tables in front of the hotel is a delight. The hotel is just a 15-minute stroll along the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront to St Mark's Square. Best for history lovers La Residenza occupies a 15th-century gothic-Byzantine palace behind the Church of San Giovanni in Bragora (where Vivaldi was baptised). Originally home to the aristocratic Gritti family, it's an antique and tapestry-filled beauty; rooms have parquet floors, 18th-century paintings and period furniture and you can drink your morning espresso in a breakfast room lit by gorgeous chandeliers. Castello, the least touristy of Venice's neighbourhoods, is on the doorstep, the Biennale is next door and and the closest vaporetto stop is a two-minute walk away. Best for island life To really appreciate Venice you have to get out on the water. Burano, a small fishing island filled with rainbow-coloured houses is a popular day trip, but stay overnight in Casa Burano and you can experience the island like the locals. It's an albergo diffuso — a scattered hotel — spread across five houses, whose rooms display the best of Italian sleek design (there's no reception and you'll have your own front-door key). Breakfast arrives in hampers each morning and the hotel can arrange experiences such as a ride on abragozzo, a traditional wooden fishing boat, for drinks or a picnic. Best for Grand Canal views On the top floor of an ancient palazzo on the Grand Canal and near the Rialto Bridge, this is one of the oldest hotels in the city and ideal for anyone visiting Venice who's determined to burn off holiday calories: it's up four flights of stairs and there's no lift. Red-and-gold rooms are fabulously maximalist and with such great views of the canal it's tempting to hang out in the breakfast room all day. But there's the excellent Rialto market to explore — stop off for a mid-morning prosecco like the traders do at Al Merca wine bar — and St Mark's Square is a ten-minute walk. Best for peace and quiet In an idyllic hidden garden in quiet Castello, this new boutique hotel in an antique-filled palazzo is a short walk from the main attractions, but staying here is an escape from the crowds: don't be surprised if you wake up to a chorus of birdsong. The 14 spacious rooms are decorated in calming colours and have lovely views; have breakfast in bed or in the garden. There are lots of excellent restaurants nearby including tiny and cosy Al Covino (go for the surprise menu with matching wines). • Best things to do in Venice• Best hotels in Venice
