Palazzina

This design hotel attracts a trendy crowd looking to avoid the traditional Venetian-style decor. Here, guests find classic Philippe Starck-style, with an abundance of polished chrome and mirrors, along with quirky sculptures, artwork, and furniture. The lobby has exposed brick walls with a pair of sprawling chandelier-style wall lights mounted onto huge mirrors. There's no traditional reception desk, so a member of staff greets guests and then takes them to the bar or restaurant to run through the check-in process. It's designed to be less formal but doesn't always hit the mark as it can sometimes be difficult to find staff when you need them. The restaurant has an eclectic style too -- there's cow hide, leather, and wood, mixed with chrome and glass. Ancient-looking pillars line either side of the room, and the low lighting and wooden ceiling create a warm and intimate setting. Overall the atmosphere is polished and a touch romantic. 

Hidden away down a small alley behind the Palazzo Grassi contemporary art gallery, the hotel can be hard to find as there isn't a great deal of obvious signage. On the other side, the property overlooks the stunning Grand Canal. This is a quiet spot but is within a short walk of shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. St Marks Square, the Accademia art gallery, Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Rialto Bridge, and Bridge of Sighs are all within a 10- to 15-minute walk. Water taxis stop just around the corner from the hotel.

Rooms are designed with clean, modern lines, soft neutral color walls, contemporary cream leather armchairs, huge Art-Deco style mirrors on every wall, and simple white bed linens. Mirrored surfaces extend to the window shutters and bedside tables -- even the TV is set into a mirror. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, minibar, hairdryer, free newspapers, a safe, bathrobe, and slippers. There are no tea- and coffee-making facilities though, and some of the rooms are on the small side. There are five suites which face the Grand Canal and have great views, but most of the Standard Rooms look out onto brick walls. Bathrooms are modern and chic too, and feature the same huge beveled-edge mirrors that dominate the bedrooms, along with more polished chrome fixtures and luxury toiletries.

The on-site restaurant, PG's, serves modern Mediterranean food at lunch and dinner in an intimate but buzzy space. It operates an open kitchen so diners can watch their food being prepared by the chefs. Breakfast is available too, but is not included in the room rate. There’s a cozy bar and a smart roof terrace which has comfortable chairs, huge potted trees, and a dark slate-tiled floor. It offers great views over the rooftops and in the evening is candlelit and serves a range of drinks -- specializing in Champagne, whiskey, and cognac. The hotel has a meeting room and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.