You might have noticed that the editorial team here at BusinessClass has a fondness for the famous Italian city of Venice. Having stayed at both the historic Hotel Danieli and the glamourous Gritti Palace in recent times, it’s fair to say that the city – and, in particular, its luxury hotels – have more than impressed us.
And we’re not the only ones. The famous waterways of Venice attract over 2.5 million visitors every year, and its attraction is growing. However, due to strict building regulations and preservation laws, there are hardly ever any new hotels opening up to capitalise on the increasing number of tourists.
This means the hotels that are already in the city (especially the luxury hotels) are constantly pushing their standards higher in an effort to stand out from their competitors. It also means that when a new hotel does come along, it’s going to have to be something special in order to steal some of the limelight from the well-established heavyweights such as the the Gritti.
That said, there is one new hotel in Venice that is able to do just that. The Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel, which opened in doors last year on the Grand Canal, is a flamboyant and prestigious property set within a traditionally restored 16th-century palazzo.
The waterfront Palazzo re-emerged from a two-year restoration in August 2016 to reveal an architectural masterpiece that had lost none of its original grandeur. The Palazzo Venart is now one of the city’s most stylish retreats.
Let’s take a closer look at Venice’s best new luxury hotel.
When checking in to Palazzo Venart, you will arrive at a private pier along the Grand Canal by water taxi or gondola. An attractive garden leads up to the hotel’s soft pink facade, complete with original decorative details carefully preserved by a team of Venetian art historians.
An exquisite main hallway dazzles with a polished marble staircase and 19th-century tempera frescoes hanging on the walls.
The staircase leads to a beautiful lounge where a hand-painted French court piano sits among stunning artworks and regal furnishings decked in expensive fabrics.
18 elegant bedrooms (some with Grand Canal views) have lavish marble bathrooms and wonderfully flamboyant decor. They have names such as Casanova, Titian, Dandolo, Lord Byron, Murano, and Carnevale.
Top-floor rooms have balconies overlooking the rooftops.
There is an attractive dining room with a tranquil, sun-filled garden – perfect for an al fresco dinner by the water. Additionally, expect wondrous fare from chef Enrico Bartolini, who has won Michelin stars at two previous restaurants.
Maybe it doesn’t quite challenge the Gritti – considered by many to be Venice’s finest hotel – just yet, but the Palazzo Venart is without a doubt a fine addition to one of Europe’s most iconic and beautiful cities.
We at BusinessClass are certainly looking forward to laying our hat there for a few nights and comparing it to the other properties we’ve stayed at in the city. With such a soft spot for Venetian Palazzo-turned-hotels, it’d be rude not to, right?
Read more, see more images and get the very best rates for your stay at Palazzo Venart here.
