Ca' Pisani
Venice, Italy
Meticulous modernism in a medieval palazzo next to the Accademia: the first - and still the best - design hotel in Venice
Venice is a city in a time warp - no cars, no supermarkets, no
modern flash. That’s part of its incredible charm. But many
of its hotels are also stuck in a time warp – tired
décor, medieval plumbing, poor insulation.
One hotel which stands out is Ca Pisani. It’s got the usual
medieval Venetian façade with marble-framed windows and
elegant loggias, but inside it’s been refitted in dazzling
designer style. We’re talking shiny glass surfaces,
bamboo-parquet floors, steel stairs, walnut bedframes, optic-fibre
spotlights, Mies van der Rohe chairs. Most pieces are from the
1930’s and 40’s, others are specially commissioned for
the hotel, including the gadget-laden bathrooms and the remotely
operated, double-glazed windows. It may sound OTT but it’s
very easy on the eye (and the body) after an exhausting day of
sightseeing or shopping. And in the ground floor restaurant you can
fill up with delicate fusion cuisine that's refreshingly light on
the stomach. A futuristic haven in a sea of history.
Reviewed by Michael Cullen
Last updated 15 May 2012
Highs
- Extremely well-appointed: air-con, soundproofing, satellite TV, steam bath, roof terrace etc (see Features)
- Great location next to the Accademia Gallery and between 2 vaporetto stops, 3 mins from the Zattere quays, 15 mins from San Marco
- Reasonably-sized rooms with sitting area
- Family-owned and run, with a personal touch
Lows
- Not for the technophobe (make sure you figure out the air-con before falling asleep!)
- No canal views – though that can be a blessing
- One design fault which they haven’t rectified yet: some showers flood the bathroom floor
- It’s expensive (even by Venetian standards) – but if design is more important to you than price, then it's worth it
