Novecento Boutique Hotel

Go oriental in the city of theatre, mirrors and illusion with this exotic, family-run gem

Tucked down an alley close to San Marco square, the Grand Canal and the Gritti Palace, the Novecento is a sweet surprise: an originally-designed, orientally-inspired and relatively inexpensive 9-room boutique hotel. Owned by the charming and enthusiastic Romanelli family, it‘s managed by son Gioele and his wife Heiby, and decorated with fabrics, fittings and furniture he and his father discovered on their travels in places like Morocco, Pakistan and Thailand.

The unusual lamps, richly coloured designer silks and tapestries, rag-rolled walls, high, beamed ceilings and lead-paned and stained-glass windows all lend a lovely soft light, and the atmosphere is intimate and homely. But Gioele and his staff pride themselves on giving a 4-star service and will bend over backwards to help you make the most of your stay in Italy's most iconic city. Ideal for anyone looking for something a little different to the traditional Venetian hotel.

Highs

• Unique and stylish with beautiful, eclectic décor, reminiscent of Arabian souks and medieval boudoirs
• A short walk from the famous San Marco square
• Lovely lounge areas where you can examine carefully selected artworks and books, and chat comfortably with other guests
• Music and aircon/temperature control system in every room.
• The friendliness, charm and helpfulness of the staff and the hotel’s family feel
• The huge breakfast buffet and sunny little pink-and-green courtyard garden where you can enjoy it

Lows

• The rooms aren’t large and there are only jacket-length hanging spaces in the wardrobes
• Some guests may find the lighting in the rooms a little dim, though the white linen lends an airy feel
• The mosquitos are supposed to be kept at bay by the vaporizers and airconditioning but don‘t seem to know it