Palazzina Grassi
Ramo Grassi 3247, Venice, Veneto, 30124, Italy
Why We Like It
The hotel feels like a hidden spot for those in the know, flanked as it is by much more imposing palaces and reached on foot down a quiet alley. Guests can also arrive by water taxi to the private landing stage. The interiors are theatrical and a little risqué, just like the iconic events and parties the hotel is known for throwing.
Fodor's Expert Review
Palazzina Grassi is housed inside a 16th-century pocket-sized palazzo on the Grand Canal. But what isn’t small-scale is its character. The only hotel designed by French starchitect Philippe Starck in Italy, it is fabulous, fun, and full of surprises. His playful style pervades the property’s 25 rooms, show kitchen and dining room, and glamorous bar.
Tip The hotel places a big emphasis on giving guests an authentic Venetian experience. Make sure you ask about available visits to small artisan workshops nearby and tours of the Rialto market and local bacari bars with the chef.
PROS
- One-of-a-kind interior design
- Convenient location for visiting the sights
- Generous breakfast served till 12 p.m.
CONS
- Not child-friendly
- Lower category rooms are small
- Limited storage space in rooms
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
The 25 rooms and suites are characterized by a color palette of white, cream, and very pale pink. Along with the abundant mirrors, it helps to make even the smaller rooms feel spacious. Like the rest of the hotel, rooms are glamorous with hints of sensuality, from the black carnival mask logo on the lamps to the white leather sofas and Fornasetti chairs with women's faces.
Tip Some of the rooms have views of nearby buildings and some terraces lack privacy. Contact the hotel before you book if you want to avoid these rooms.
Bathroom
The bathrooms feel very cutting-edge, with plenty of white and grey marble, shiny silver, and an abundance of mirrored panels.
Lobby
Though the entrance to the property is understated, the full Philippe Starck flamboyance hits you once you step over the threshold. Guests are invited to make themselves comfortable in the grand lower floor space, which doubles up as the bar and dining area. A colonnade of classical columns recalls a Greek temple and delineates the seating area with an eclectic mix of leather, cowhide and Baroque sofas arranged around tables. The avant-garde artworks and quirky glass sculptures play off perfectly against the historic fabric of the building.
Pool
There is no pool.
Spa
The hotel does not have a spa.
Gym
The hotel has a partnership with a gym located right in front called Formamentis, which is fully equipped and has a Pilates studio.
Dining
Theatricality is at the heart of the hotel’s dining experience, where meals are prepared in an open ‘show kitchen.’ The emphasis is on Venetian ingredients and seasonal products. Dishes are refined and unfussy, like the fresh red tuna tartare with avocado and soya beans or the herbs ravioli with smoked ricotta cheese and hazelnut crumble. In the summer, you can eat on the terrace with an enchanting view of Venice’s rooftops and characteristic ‘altana’ roof terraces.
Drinking
The glam bar runs along either side of the restaurant, with shiny high stools lined up along a marble and mirrored counter. Lit softly by fabulous Murano glass chandeliers, the bar serves classic cocktails and a wide selection of whiskies.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Palazzina Grassi is very conveniently located for transport links, historical attractions and food and drink options. Just two streets away is a waterbus stop where you can catch vaporetti up and down the Grand Canal. A little further on is the wooden Academia bridge, on the other side of which is the internationally renowned Academia gallery. Around a 15–20-minute walk through pleasant squares and narrow streets takes you to St Mark’s Square and the Palazzo Ducale. On a lazy day, pop next door to Palazzo Grassi for contemporary artworks in a grand 17th-century palace.
Restaurants
Hop over the Academia bridge for the best dining options. Around 10 minutes away is one of Venice’s top-rated restaurants, Al Profeta, where you can eat pasta dishes and grilled fish, as well as one of the best pizzas in town. Just down the road is Africa Experience, with a warm, joyous atmosphere thanks to the staff who are refugees from around Africa. The menu is inspired by the dishes they discovered and invented on their perilous journeys to Italy.
Bars
A couple of minutes away on foot are two ‘bacari’ (cubbyhole Venetian bars) which serve classic cicchetti snacks and more substantial traditional dishes: Osteria Al Bacareto and Bacaro e Trattoria da Fiore. For your spritz fix, try the orange-hued Terrazza Aperol in Campo Santo Stefano. It’s a little pricey, but the square is an atmospheric location in the evening. Heading the other direction across the Academia bridge, there is another bacaro worth seeking out. At canalside Osteria al Squero, you can sip a spritz while watching the activities of one of Venice’s last gondola shipyards opposite. Another short walk away is Venice Jazz Club, where you can enjoy drinks while listening to live music in an intimate atmosphere.
Photos
Quick Facts
People Also Liked
S
San Clemente Palace Venice
V
The Venice Venice Hotel
N
