Original Articles

It ideally lends itself to a romantic weekend with someone special; a surprise treat makes it even more magical. Pavement cafés with string quartets, buzzing trattoria serving local cuisine, cocktails served on a hotel terrace overlooking the Canal, and the idiosyncratic and pricey gondolas all make Venice a very unique and special place.

The ideal luxury hotel to complement such a weekend is somewhere discreet and a little off the beaten track. Perhaps a boutique hotel with individual rooms and personal service. Consider some of the following boutique hotels in Venice to really set the tone of the vacation, although you may have to book early to get the best pick.

Set in the Dorsodoro area of Venice, Pensione Accademia is a short walk from the Grand Canal and the Zattere quayside, this homely boutique hotel is set in a 17th century Venetian villa, complete with small garden areas. Share a bottle of Lambrusco as you relax on the garden chairs at the end of the day. With just 25 rooms and 2 garden suites this charming boutique hotel guarantees a quiet night’s sleep and a breakfast feast.

Hotel Flora: This intimate and charming boutique hotel is tucked behind St Marks’ Square. Decorated in 16th century style, the 43 rooms are elegant and intimate. Perfect for music lovers, the Hotel Flora is close to the newly restored Teatro La Fenice. There are also many church concerts nearby which are regularly held in Santa Maria Formosa Church and in La Pieta. Once the School of Painting, this historic palazzo is enhanced by the lovely gardens in which drinks, coffee and breakfast is served.

Residenza C’ Bauta is smaller still, with just 7 rooms and 3 suites. It is close to the Fondazione Querini-Stampalia and the San Zaccaria area with its famous churches filled with breathtaking artwork by some of the Venetian masters. The receptionist will be sporting her traditional baute, a cloak worn during Carnival and first worn here, hence the name of this boutique hotel. The suites here are worth splashing out on for the extra space, private terrace and the jacuzzi bathtub.