Name: Palazzina G
Address: Ramo Grassi, 3247, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Telephone: +39 041 528 4644
Price range: $$

Fodor's Expert Review

Modern design fans may swoon at the sight of this Philippe Starck-designed hotel, which sits next to contemporary art museum Palazzo Grassi—perfect for soaking up lots of style in one go. It’s a bit removed from the main tourist fray, though boats and a bridge (the Ponte dell’Accademia) are right nearby, making it super simple to still see all the sights.

You Should Know Guests who prefer more of a traditional Venetian style will feel out of place here, as Palazzina G is anything but.

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Room

The 16 ultra-modern rooms and six suite apartments are not for the shy, with mirrors covering many of the cream-colored walls. Whimsical Philippe Starck fixtures (carnival mask lampshades, metal tables and stools, brightly colored bedspreads) and Fornasetti chairs (in a nose and mouth pattern) are lots of fun. Some rooms have spacious private terraces with Venice rooftop views, while others look out over the Grand Canal.

You Should Know While air conditioning is available (and often needed during sweltering Venice summers), it can only be controlled at the front desk, and not having the temperature at your fingertips could be an annoyance to some.

Bathroom

Sleek cream-colored marble bathrooms include either tubs or showers.

Lobby

The look is warm and masculine, with brick-lined walls and a fabulous Murano glass chandelier. It’s not really a place to hang—but if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a celebrity or two en route to a party.

Dining

Pg’s Restaurant whips up traditional Italian specialties like pasta, meat, and fish dishes with a twist for lunch and dinner in an over-the-top Philippe Starck-designed space lined with Romanesque columns.

Drinking

Champagne lovers can sip their weight in bubbly at the cozy Krug Lounge.

Tip The Krug Terrace opens during the summer months, perfect for drinks and nibbles in a romantic and quiet outdoor space.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

The San Samuele ferry terminal is a convenient one-minute walk from the hotel—perfect for sailing down the Grand Canal and reaching sights like San Marco. Or take a quick six-minute stroll to cross the Ponte dell’Accademia bridge over to Dorsoduro.

Restaurants

Getting lost in the narrow Venetian streets will be worth it once you find Ai Mercanti (9-minute walk), a haven for inventive dishes at a reasonable price. Osteria Enoteca San Marco (10-minute walk) is a surprisingly ultra-modern Italian bistro with a wonderful wine list amongst a sea of tourist traps. Michelin-starred Ristorante Quadri (12-minute walk) is pricey and gets mixed reviews, but its prime location in Piazza San Marco is worth a look.

Bars

Enoteca al Volto (8-minute walk) is a fine place to stop for some cicchetti (bar snacks) and wine on a quiet back street. Lively wine shop/bar Cantine del Vino già Schiavi (9-minute walk) has no seating, but serves up inexpensive wines with interesting small bites. Osteria al Squero (10-minute walk) is a casual bacaro (wine bar) with tasty cicchetti (bar snacks)—especially the panini and cheeses—with a fine selection of wine by the glass.