Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel, Venice

• This exquisitely restored 15th-century palazzo opens onto a romantic garden overlooking the Grand Canal. 
• The Santa Croce location feels quiet and secluded, though central landmarks like Piazza San Marco are within easy walking distance.
• Rooms are grand without feeling stuffy, showcasing original Renaissance details alongside modern luxuries like premium mattresses and sleek marble bathrooms.
• The courtyard restaurant holds two Michelin stars and specializes in creative interpretations of traditional Venetian flavors (including produce and fish sourced daily from the Rialto Market).
• The service is as delightful as the surroundings, with concierges making a point of getting to know you at check-in so your preferences are noted throughout your stay.

• The tucked-away location means the entrance can be a little hard to find if you're arriving on foot. 
• The Michelin-starred restaurant takes a summer break in August, though you can still order simpler, bistro-style dishes from the kitchen.

Authenticity

This pink palazzo dates back to the early 15th century, playing host to a colorful cast of powerful Venetian aristocrats over the years before falling into eventual disrepair. In 2016, an extensive renovation led by a team of art historians and local artisans uncovered original tempera frescoes, Istrian stone balustrades, gilded beams, and lead-paned windows while restoring the palazzo to its former glory. Despite the history, there's nothing dusty or dated about the interiors here. Silk wallpapers, exquisite antiques, and Italian art channel the Renaissance without tipping into pastiche, while the rare Grand Canal-facing garden is dotted with colorful sculptural art by Venetian artist Anna Paola Cibin. 

Location

You'll stay in the quieter neighborhood of Santa Croce, perched on the southern bank of the Grand Canal just north of San Polo. Despite its central location, this area feels like the "real" Venice, blissfully free from tourist crowds and frequented mainly by locals. You can stroll to the Rialto Bridge in 10 minutes or reach Piazza San Marco in 20. The Venezia Santa Lucia train station is an easy 12-minute walk away, and vaporettos dock at the neighboring San Stae stop (in front of a cinematic Baroque church). 

Rooms & Bathrooms

It's hard to pick a favorite from the 17 guest rooms and suites, each named for a person or event from Venetian history. No two units are alike, and each offers an impeccably executed take on Renaissance excess—think high ceilings dotted with crystal chandeliers, oak marquetry floors, and premium mattresses draped in rich velvet. The bathrooms are particularly luxurious, wrapped in Calacatta marble or red onyx and stocked with full-size Etro toiletries and Dyson hair dryers. Even the simplest Classic rooms feel grand, but Deluxe units and suites take things up a notch, with options for sitting rooms, Grand Canal views, or terraces. Accessible rooms are available, and all floors in the palazzo are reachable by elevator.

Amenities

The hotel's shaded courtyard is home to Glam by Enrique Bartolini, the only restaurant in Venice to hold two Michelin stars. With just 30 seats, you'll need to book ahead to experience its seasonal set menus and impressive wine list. The impressive a la carte breakfast is prepared by the same kitchen, and best enjoyed al fresco under the courtyard's flowering magnolia (don't miss the strawberry tarts when they're in season). Elsewhere, you'll find plenty of sumptuous salons and drawing rooms to settle in with a cocktail or a book. Outside, the canal-facing garden is an ideal spot for a sunset spritz. 

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome here, but the hushed, exclusive vibe is more suited to adults. Families are better catered to in the hotel's adjoining Empress Theodora apartments, which sleep two adults and two children comfortably with a double bedroom, living room with sofa bed, and kitchenette. Bear in mind that these units lack an elevator, and you'll need to navigate stairs to reach the upper stories.