Nolinski Venezia
Calle Larga XXII Marzo, Venice, Veneto, 30124, Italy
Why We Like It
Nolinski Venezia is ideally located for visiting the city's top sights, just a few minutes’ walk from St Mark’s Square, Teatro La Fenice opera house, and the Academia gallery. Many of these you can also see from the upper story windows, including the spectacular facade of St Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile, and the spiralling Contarini del Bovolo staircase. The interiors are grand without being overwhelming and are filled with artworks and books, the collections of which are overseen by dedicated curators. The Palais Royal Restaurant stands out as not just one of the best of Venice’s hotel dining options but of the city’s restaurants in general.
Fodor's Expert Review
Right off Venice’s main shopping street and a stone’s throw from Piazza San Marco, the former 20th-century stock exchange now houses this supremely comfortable hotel with an art deco flair, charming rooms with private terraces, and a glittering enclosed rooftop pool. Guest rooms feature stucco marble and marmorino finishes, velvet couches and chairs, and Murano glass objects; some suites have terraces with Venetian rooftop views, perfect for enjoying an evening aperitivo. Elegant bathrooms are embellished with mosaic tiles and brass fixtures; some include deep soaking tubs. The colonnaded lobby invites lounging in its many comfy chairs and couches, while the Library Bar includes more than 4,000 carefully selected books (many of them about art) along with a frescoed ceiling. The Nolinski offers two restaurant choices, the courtyard Il Caffè, which makes a lovely setting for a lunch or dinner of Mediterranean cuisine, and the Palais Royal Restaurant, housed in a grand former auditorium. Perhaps the hotel’s pièce de résistance is the gold-tiled indoor rooftop pool, offering sublime Venice views, next to the treatment rooms of the Ottoman-inspired spa.
PROS
- Elegant, inviting decor
- Extremely helpful and friendly service
- Ultraconvenient location
CONS
- No saunas or steam room in the spa
- Overall hotel lighting a bit dark for some
- Expensive cocktails
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
The rooms are stylishly furnished with plush powder-pink velvet sofas, antique and contemporary furniture, and fun details like Murano glass octopus ornaments. Stacks of beautiful, coffee-table books fill shelves and grace tables. Some rooms have terraces with outdoor furniture and views of St Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile. The soft slippers and cosy bathrobes make you want to stay in pajamas all morning. There is a minibar, but coffee and tea-making facilities must be requested. Guests receive a welcoming gift of reusable water bottles for days out sightseeing. Turndown is all about setting you up for a great sleep, with herbal sleep-boosting pills containing magnesium and melatonin left on your bed.
You Should Know There is quite a lot of variety within room categories, so if you have preferences for views, lots of natural light, a balcony or terrace, for example, contact the hotel directly before booking to request a specific room.
Bathroom
The bathrooms are clad in pretty, small white tiles with fun gold mosaic octopuses. They feature fabulous black and gold sinks with gold taps, and some have baths.
Lobby
The lobby is arranged like an elegant lounge, with soft lighting, comfortable armchairs, and antique sculptures arranged around the classical columns and archways. It’s a place you sit unobtrusively for a while if waiting for pick-ups, etc.
Pool
Given that the building dates from 1929, it was able to support the installation of a pool, unlike many historic Venetian hotels. On the top floor, the sizeable plunge pool glitters with gold tiles and swimmers can gaze out of conveniently placed windows at St Mark’s Basilica and the Church of San Moisè. There is a shower, toilet, and plenty of space for relaxing on cushioned seating around the walls.
Spa
Spas are also challenging to install in Venice, but the Nolinski Venezia has an Ottoman-inspired treatment room offering facials and massages using skin-nourishing myBlend products.
Tip You can request the loan of a myLED mask for a DIY infra-red treatment.
Gym
There is no gym, but the hotel's concierge team can book personal trainers who provide running itineraries along the Venetian canals for all fitness levels.
Dining
The star of the dining options is Palais Royal Restaurant, helmed by Greek chef Philip Chronopoulos. Located in an elliptical, arcaded dining room that was once a main hall of the stock exchange, the restaurant boasts a Michelin star. Guests can choose a seven or a nine-course tasting menu. The exquisite dishes feature many nostalgic Greek references, highlighted by the waiters’ engaging storytelling. The opening mezze, for example, is an array of reinterpreted Greek dishes or ingredients that Chronopoulos refused to eat as a child, much to the vexation of his grandmother. A parade of daintily plated dishes follows, including a corn-stuffed ravioli with zingy lemon sauce and oven-baked lobster, and a delightful palate cleanser infused with grapefruit and Venetian Select bitter.
Drinking
The tasting menus at Palais Royal are accompanied by a curated wine pairing. As well as prestigious Italian and international wines, the sommelier proposes a glass of the extraordinary white wine Dorona. Made from the homonymous prized grapes revived from near extinction, it is now produced by Venissa on the nearby lagoon island of Mazzorbo. Hit the snug, dark wood Library Bar for a post-dinner tipple amongst dizzying shelves of books and a swirling, Chagall-esque ceiling.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Nolinski Venezia enjoys a prime position in the city, with dozens of attractions within walking distance. The street outside is a mini Fifth Avenue, with stores of fashion houses like Gucci, Armani, and YSL. Just down the street is the Teatro La Fenice opera house, where you can catch a performance in the opulent gilded auditorium. Within a few minutes’ walk, is St Mark’s Square with the Basilica, campanile, and Doge’s Palace, while the opposite direction takes you to the Academia gallery.
Restaurants
There are dozens of restaurants in the vicinity. For modern Venetian food in a rustic-chic environment, try Osteria Enoteca San Marco. Steak-lovers should try Al Grill - San Marco for fine wines too. For a special treat, wander to the lavish Caffè Quadri in St Mark’s Square and listen to a live quartet play while you eat with a view of the Basilica.
Bars
A few minutes’ walk away are two of Venice’s iconic heritage bars: Harry’s Bar hidden down a side street, and the 18th-century coffeehouse Caffè Florian in St Mark’s Square. For some Stateside cocktails, hit Tarnowska's American Bar, and for a quick espresso, stop by the Illy Caffè pavilion just off St Mark’s Square for a breather amongst lush greenery.
Photos
Quick Facts
HOTEL INFO
HOTEL DETAILS
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast
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