At this time of year, Venice offers its most magical and romantic side; crisp, clear days and relatively quiet walkways highlight the city’s beauty, and provide the perfect excuse to cuddle up to your loved one. However, you’ll definitely need a cossetting bolthole to warm up in afterwards – luckily, these 2 B&Bs, sharing a restored Venetian house in the central San Marco district, are exactly that.
The interiors are just as opulent as the surrounding city and you’re ideally located for Venice’s most famous sights – just a short walk from the Grand Canal and St Mark’s Square. There’s also a sprawling roof terrace, where you can spend dusky evenings watching the city light up over complimentary Prosecco!
Rooms: The rooms are lavish with unapologetically dramatic and colourful designs quintessential to Venice. Many of them feature stunning jewel-bright colours, from purples to deep pinks. All are rich and traditional in style, with heavy curtains and thick brocade fabrics plus antique furniture, flocked wallpaper and gilded mirrors complementing the original beamed ceilings, brick walls and wood floors. Some in Settimo Cielo have full-length French windows, and all come with contemporary bathrooms.
There are 3 types of room: Double Charme, Double Superior and Triple Superior. The Superior rooms are larger than the Charmes, but they don’t benefit from bathtubs (though they do have large walk-in showers). The largest rooms are the Triple Superiors which have space for 3 single beds, or 1 kingsize bed and 1 single, making them perfect for small families.
Food: Food in the B&Bs is limited to a continental buffet breakfast of fresh fruit, sweet pastries, hams, cheeses and yoghurts as well as the usual cereals and beverages. It’s a simple spread, but this reflects the Italians’ minimal approach to morning sustenance.
Thanks to the B&B being located on the edge of Campo Santo Stefano – a large and quiet square – you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to lunch and dinner. You’ll find a number of gastronomic gems ranging from top-price fish restaurants to bargain pizza eateries as well as the ubiquitous (and must-visit) gelaterias. Venice’s myriad eateries can be tricky to navigate, so if you’re unsure seek the staff’s advice on check-in to save ending up in one of the city’s less triumphant offerings.
Top Tip: Although it may seem as though a short visit should have a tightly packed itinerary, try to set aside some time to simply walk around. Exploring the winding lacework of canals, alleyways and little humpback bridges, stopping for warming espresso, is one of Venice’s greatest pleasures.
Customer review: “A very enjoyable stay, great quality of accommodation and customer service. Particularly helpful staff at the reception. Loved the roof terrace and views. We would definitely stay here again on a return trip to Venice.”
Rhiannon, United Kingdom (19.10.14)
i-escape gift: a bottle of wine in your room on arrival