Venissa

Super-chic gastro retreat on Mazzorbo Island near Venice. Get here before the hordes, and take advantage of the great-value packages

We were blown away by Venissa. This chic restaurant-with-rooms serves some of the most exciting food in Italy, and is currently outdazzling Venice’s canals, treasures and basilicas for foodies in the know. Headed up by chef Paola Budel (who has studied under Michel Roux and worked in top restaurants in London, Tokyo and Monaco), the restaurant has a very unusual menu, making the most of creatures from the Venice lagoon - soft-shelled crabs, baby squid and eel - alongside traditional Italian favourites remade and updated.

It is set in an old manor house on Mazzorbo Island, attached by a causeway to Burano Island with its candy-coloured houses, just 40 minutes by vaporetto from the city. Surrounded by 2 hectares of vineyard and gardens, the setting is peaceful, and there are only 6 rooms, which adds to the exclusive, intimate feel.

You can book a half-board package (some with a gourmet tasting menu), or a B&B stay. But whichever you choose, book it pronto. Venissa has been such a smash in its first season that it fills up months in advance. If you're a first-timer to Venice we'd recommend a couple of nights in the city and a separate stay here to make the most of both.

Highs

• The food is sensational: from seafood delights to risotto and pasta, all paired with incredible Venetian wine and local Prosecco
• The décor is chic, from the modernist suites to the egg-shaped lights outside the hotel. Every detail has been considered
• The views of the lagoon from the rooms at the front are wonderful - just throw back the shutters and enjoy
• The suites are perfect for an impossibly romantic getaway - we dream of being whisked away to somewhere like this
• The ambiance: it’s cool, stylish and elegant without being pretentious or uptight

Lows

• The restaurant is closed on Mondays
• The service is minimal - you’re left to your own devices
• You could run out of things to do if you stay for 3 nights - bring a good book
• We didn’t like the trendy linen - towels and bed sheets are made from Como linen, but it didn’t feel crisp or chic to us