With the newest edition of the Venice Biennale commencing in just a few days, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite properties throughout the city—from quiet boutique properties to sprawling palazzos.
Corte di Gabriela
Corte di Gabriela
Located in the oldest and most fascinating quarter of the Serenissima, the Sestiere di San Marco, Corte di Gabriela is just a stone’s throw from Venetian must-sees like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. This charming late 19th-century palazzina mixes contemporary warmth with Venetian classicism, offering visitors a refined yet traditional option for their stay. Corte di Gabriela features ten cavernous rooms spread across three floors, each embellished with exposed beams and Italian frescoes; for those seeking a quiet respite from the bustling city streets, this hotel hosts an intimate courtyard at its center, replete with plenty of plants and small tables.
Whitewaller recommends: Learning how to roast coffee at Caffè Girani.
Casa Burano
Casa Burano. Photo by Matt Mionetto.
Burano is a small island at the northern end of the Venetian Lagoon, infamous for its lace work and vibrant, neon-hued fishermen’s homes. It is here that visitors will find Casa Burano, a hotel run by the Venissa Estate whose 13 rooms are spread across five buildings throughout the island. Guests can expect to live side by side with locals, many of whom have resided on the island their whole lives. Guests can also expect to see some truly astounding views: from Burano, one can see both the city of Venice and the ever-imposing Dolomite Mountains gleaming in the distance. Casa Burano offers a quieter, quainter alternative to the bustle of Venice, particularly during the peak tourism of the warmer months. The hotel also poses an opportunity to visit the famed vineyard of the Venissa Estate, just a mere ten-minute walk from the center of Burano.
Whitewaller recommends: Shopping for lace and linen throughout the island.
Oltre il Giardino
Oltre Il Giardino
Once upon a time in the 1920s, the composer Gustav Mahler and his wife Alma Mahler lived in a three-story house in the heart of Venice. That building is now Oltre il Giardino, an exclusive retreat that prides itself on maintaining the intimate feel of a home. The property lives up to its name, with all six rooms overlooking an oasis of olive, magnolia, and pomegranate trees. In the warmer months, it is here that breakfast is served. Oltre il Giardino is furnished lavishly, with an eclectic mix of restored furniture and brightly colored bedspreads featuring alongside paintings and portraits from the family’s personal collection.
Whitewaller recommends: Having breakfast in the garden.
Aman
man Venice, Italy – Exterior, Garden
Between its expansive frescoes, sweeping staircases, and ornate golden molding, Aman feels more like an art museum than a hotel. This was no happy accident: Aman worked diligently to maintain the artwork that the great painter Tiepolo had adorned the walls with when he lived in the building during the 18th century, when it was still the Palazzo Papadopoli. These efforts garnered the hotel a heritage award for Italy’s best restoration in 2013. Today, Aman hosts a bar with the city’s largest gin selection, simply called The Bar, and a dining concept that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Italy, Arva. Guests are invited to experience private cooking classes centered on Venetian recipes, indulge in the healing properties of Italy’s thermal waters at the spa, and relax in the property’s two gardens—among the city’s rarest private green spaces.
Whitewaller recommends: Taking a private cooking class centered on Venetian recipes.
Palazzo Venart
Palazzo Venart
An antique piano, a fully stocked library, tempera frescoes—these are just a handful of the lush furnishings you’ll find in Palazzo Venart. Situated on the Grand Canal, this five-star hotel maintains the classic feel of Venetian architecture with the addition of sleek modern amenities. The hotel underwent a rigorous two-year makeover preceding its opening in 2016, supervised by Venetian art historians. The result was a property whose seventeen rooms are each inspired by a different aspect of Venetian history or culture. One room pays homage to the explorer and writer Marco Polo; another centers on the painter Titian. Palazzo Venart is also home to GLAM, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant with sophisticated tasting menus catered to the Venetian palate, and a private garden decorated with ancient statues and contemporary art.
Whitewaller recommends: Indulging at GLAM.
Hotel L’Orologio
Hotel L’Orologio
A short stroll from the Rialto Bridge, Hotel L’Orologio is a boutique property located in the heart of Venice. Remarkably, its design was inspired by the world of collectible watches—setting it apart from the plethora of other hotels scattered across the island. Each of Hotel L’Orologio’s 43 rooms and suites features a contemporary minimalist style with luxe amenities, from flat-screen TVs to much-needed air conditioning to stave off the notorious Venetian heat. Guests may enjoy an aperitif on the fourth-floor terrace or downstairs at L’O Bar, a large, open space with vintage leather sofas and a cozy fireplace.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying aperitivo hour on the terrace.
Belmond Hotel Cipriani
Belmond Hotel Cipriani. Courtesy of Belmond Hotel Cipriani.
Belmond Hotel Cipriani welcomes guests to 96 rooms and suites, magnificent views, and an in-house Michelin-starred restaurant—Oro Restaurant. The hotel also offers spa treatments at the Casanova Wellness Centre and an array of accommodations for various views of the garden, lagoon, and St. Mark’s Square.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying the only Olympic-sized swimming pool in Central Venice.
The Gritti Palace
Club del Doge Restaurant, Terrace. The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice. Courtesy of The Gritti Palace.
A place of exceptional art, elegance, and superb culinary journeys, The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is where history and culture join in renewed Venetian style. Discreetly set on the Grand Canal for the most discerning of guests, avenues of relaxation include The Gritti Epicurean School, the Riva Yacht Experience, and The Gritti SPA in partnership with Sisley Paris.
Whitewaller recommends: Exploring the lagoon aboard the hotel’s private Riva Yacht.
Hotel Danieli, Venice
Hotel Danieli, Venice. Photo by Brandon Barré.
Hotel Danieli, Venice overlooks the Venetian Lagoon and the Grand Canal on Riva degli Schiavoni, boasting legendary palaces and over six centuries of history, culture, and romance. The hotel’s exceptional heritage welcomes guests to explore 89 rooms, and enjoy gorgeous views of Venice’s iconic panoramas.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying a cocktail at Bar Dandolo.
