Bloom & Settimo Cielo

Gorgeously opulent B&Bs in the heart of the city, blending Venetian tradition with modern design

Bloom and Settimo Cielo are two charming B&Bs, located in the San Marco district of Venice, and within strolling distance of all the major Venetian sites. They are beautifully designed, with every room styled differently, from rich reds and purple brocades to more minimalist beiges and creams.

The 2 businesses have 3 guestrooms apiece, all located in a restored Venetian house. The upper floors are Bloom's, the lower floors Settimo Cielo's; both parts offer exactly the same service and style of accommodation. The whole house is owned by business partners Alessandra Vazzoler and Paolo Battistetti who decided to renovate and refurbish the building, tastefully merging old with new.

While there's no in-house restaurant, there are lovely communal areas where you eat breakfast, and, best of all, a delightful roof terrace with spectacular views across the rooftops of Venice. Inside on the top floor there is also a cosy lounge, whose fridge stores complimentary bottles of Prosecco – a perfect accompaniment to the sunset views.

Highs

• The lovely roof terrace, lit at night, with panoramic views - a rare thing in Venice
• The beautifully styled rooms: original beamed ceilings and wooden floors blend with velvet sofas, flocked wallpaper and gilded mirrors
• The quiet - you're centrally located, but you'd never know it
• Just 5 minutes' walk from the Grand Canal and the Accademia museum, 10 minutes from the Rialto and 10 minutes from St Mark’s Square
• We loved the touch of complimentary Prosecco and (for i-escape guests) wine; given Venetian bar prices, this could be worth 30-40 euros per night

Lows

• The breakfasts are a little too packaged, although fresh fruit, pastries and bread are served every day
• No lift, so if you are staying in Bloom you have 3 or 4 flights of stairs to climb. Rooms in Settimo Cielo are lower down
• No formal reception so you can feel a little unlooked after, although staff are very friendly
• No room service outside breakfast hours