Violino d’Oro, Venice

In short… A luxurious 32-room, family-run boutique hotel in the heart of Venice.

The surroundings… You might find it hard to leave the plush comforts of your (temporary) home at Violino d’Oro — and yet the hotel is centrally and superbly located. The main entrance is just next to the gondolas lined up on Canal San Moisè. Take a left on Calle Larga XXII Marzo, past the soaring windows of Gucci, Chanel, and Brunello Cucinelli, and a few minutes later you’re in Piazza San Marco deciding between a coffee at Caffè Florian or a tour of the Doge’s Palace. A walk in the other direction takes you shopping for Venetian slippers at Piedàterre or to cicchetti on the canal. (Two worthy options to add to your itinerary include Adriatico Mar—order a glass of wine and the baccalà su crostino—and Vino Vero—another glass and the chicory, ricotta, and soppressata combination).

The vibe… Everything on the property is made in Italy and each part that makes up Violino d’Oro’s whole serves to showcase the distinct and collectively stunning story of Italian  craftsmanship. From the Venetian seminato flooring (handmade by the Asin family, one of the oldest artisan floor-making families still in operation today), Rubelli textiles, and Venini chandeliers to the Florence-based Ginori plates, every fabric, glass, plate and piece of furniture has been crafted between Venice and Tuscany.

Combined with a mix of modern and antique art, the result is a luxurious, eclectic palazzo that feels like home. Which makes sense considering it is part of the growing, family-run, Collezione EM (whose other properties include Grand Hotel Minerva and Hotel Brunelleschi in Florence and Villa Roma Imperiale in Forte dei Marmi. Pensione America, also in Forte dei Marmi, is slated to open in June 2025).

The rooms… The property spans three adjoining 17^th century buildings, each of which was itself a former small three- or four-star hotel. While there were originally more than 60 rooms, to combine them into the present-day Violino d’Oro, Sara and Elena Maestrelli enlarged and reconfigured the spaces, along the way reducing the room-count to 32. From the standard rooms to the suites, the spaces are bright and spacious with dark green and cream color schemes, bespoke fabrics by Rubelli (our headboard featured a design by Luke Edward Hall), and a mix of midcentury furnishings and antiques. While some rooms overlook the canal, our suite (number 32) overlooked the quiet Corte Barozzi, with windows on three sides (and thick Rubelli curtains to selectively keep out or let in the daylight) and a small terrace. Our bathroom featured a delightfully massive sunken green marble bath with dual rain showerheads, glass sinks and luxe Sicilian-based Ortigia products.

The wellness… There is no spa on site, but guests can request an in-room massage (or other treatments) with the concierge.

The food & drink…The bar (located in the lounge just past reception) may be small but the offerings, curated by Francesco Adragna, make for the ideal aperitivo hour or nightcap. We opted for glasses of sparkling wine, and our bartender Simone slipped us silver bowls of plump green olives (sourced from Puglia) to snack on alongside. At the intimate nine-table Il Piccolo restaurant, chef Stefano Santo’s menu leans vegetable-forward (and, in a welcome shift from Venice’s typical seafood and carbohydrate forward menus, offers options for vegan and gluten-free diners). The sourcing is stand-out, reflecting the hotel’s local, sustainable ethos, including seafood from the Venetian Lagoon and herbs and vegetables grown nearby on Sant’Erasmo Island.

In the mornings, while you can make coffee in the room yourself (there are Nespresso machines and pods provided) or head downstairs for breakfast, I highly recommend ordering a batch brew and freshly-squeezed juice up to the room to sip on while you get ready. It arrives on a chic, polished silver tray to pour into delicate Ginori tea cups, along with a small bouquet of flowers. (We ordered in-room coffee a few days in a row and each time the cups and plates arrived in a different Ginori design, further speaking to the team’s exquisite attention to detail.)

Extra tip goes to… Everyone from Samuel, who received us warmly upon arrival, to the General Manager, Annabella, the entire team was extremely helpful and welcoming throughout our entire stay.

Be sure to… If you’re interested in exploring a few of the craftsmen involved in the making of Violino d’Oro, the team is able to arrange visits to local artisans such as Micheluzzi, Rubelli or Venini upon request. Also, while it’s off-property, do follow their expert advice and take the quick walk to Harry’s Bar. Start with a round of requisite Bellinis (the fluffy peach and prosecco cocktail was invented here), then switch to a very excellent Bloody Mary and make sure to order a pierini sandwich (ham and cheese) to soak it all up.

Parting words… Even if you’ve already arrived by water taxi—each and every detail at Violino d’Oro serves to ensure you never forget exactly where in the world you are. While there are plenty of luxury hotels in Venice, the location and intimate ambiance makes it an ideal base from which to explore the city — and feel like you’re at home while doing so.

Date of stay… November 22 – 25, 2024