3 days ago
One of Venice's most welcoming boutique hotels — in a rare quiet corner
'Small but perfectly formed' sums up this charming property, which occupies a 16th-century canal-side mansion in Dorsoduro, Venice's classy university district. Downstairs there's a reception area — entered either from the canal, if you've arrived by water taxi, or from a small street at the front when walking — along with a living room and a small bar area. That leads to stairs that take you to a warren in which you'll find many of the bedrooms, plus a cosy breakfast room and terrace. The warm, friendly service will likely make you want to linger longer than you originally planned.
This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue
Score 9/10 As you'd expect in a building that dates to the 1500s, all 12 bedrooms differ in size and character. It's best to have a look on the website to find a favourite style; whatever you opt for, expect marble, carpeted or wooden floors, brocade fabrics, antiques and heavy wallpaper. The Doge's Room goes all in on sensual red and gold colours, throne chairs and chandeliers for when too much is never enough; the Noir Room evokes a more moody, intimate atmosphere with its shadowy yet inviting palette inspired by the warm spices — pepper, cinnamon, and cloves — that once journeyed to Venice from the eastern Mediterranean. All have king-size beds with goose down duvets, mod-cons such as air conditioning, a mini bar (offering free soft drinks) and a safe. Bathroom-wise, you'll either get a walk-in shower or a tub with a shower above.
Score 7/10There's a small honesty bar near reception, from which you can grab drinks to enjoy in a living room whose windows look out to the grand basilica next door. For breakfast, simply tick off desired items on a comprehensive list that you hang outside your bedroom door the evening before, and you can then choose to take it in your room, in the breakfast room on the first floor or, on a warmer day, on the small terrace. It's a simple spread, with trays of freshly made coffee, juices, yoghurts, pastries, and eggs in various formats. There's no actual restaurant — for lunch or dinner, it's a pleasant to walk to restaurants and cafés five to ten minutes away, such as Cantinone Storico, for a romantic waterside meal.
• Discover our full guide to Italy• More great hotels in Venice
Score n/aAside from the bedrooms, there's that cosy lounge-cum-living room, and the pretty terrace, which is a relaxing spot to plan a day's sightseeing.
Score 8/10Being in Dorsoduro, the hotel is across the Grand Canal from Venice's main sites such as Piazza San Marco and the Doge's Palace — but you can easily reach those from the vaporetto (water bus) stop just a minute from the property, or by walking round via the Ponte dell'Accademia, which takes about 30 minutes. In a city of almost surreally beautiful small streets, that's no hardship. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection art museum is ten minutes away on foot, and the Gallerie dell'Accademia slightly further. From Venice's airport, the quickest and most romantic — but least wallet-friendly — way to arrive is in a private water taxi, which pulls up right beside the property. The cheaper, more time-consuming alternative is a vaporetto to the Zattere stop, then a 15-minute stroll.
Price B&B doubles from £235Restaurant n/aFamily-friendly YAccessible N
Will Hide was a guest of Ca Maria Adele (
• Best things to do in Venice• Best affordable hotels in Venice
