Ca' San Giorgio

In a peaceful, secluded location about a ten minute walk away from the train station, is the lovely Ca'San Giorgio. The entrance reminds one of a grotto and the fresh, delicate decor is a testament to the quality of the exclusive eight-room hotel. Breakfast and WiFi are included and the service is hospitable and friendly. Right down the street from the Natural History Museum and around the corner from the Museo Correr.

Though this hotel is small, it doesn’t feel cramped – instead, it feels like a carefully curated, unpretentious paradise only meant to be enjoyed by a few at a time. The foyer is partly open to the sky and therefore feels like a mini garden, and the reception desk is in a small, but airy room that has the feel of a tiny upscale boutique in the Marina district of San Francisco. The rooms, all marked with Venetian masks and given related names (“Il Gatto” for the cat mask, for example), are light, stylish, and modern without losing their timeless Venetian charm. Still, my favorite part was the sparkly tile in the bathroom and free toiletries. I look forward to returning to this little gem for a special occasion, and I hope to stay in the Junior Suite with the private altana (Venetian wooden terrace) and sloped ceilings.

This place isn’t that easy to find – you have to wind your way to a quiet, empty alley and look for a very small sign – but it’s worth it. From the moment you walk in, you can tell this is a special, sweet little spot. They’ve taken really great care of this place, and though it doesn’t have the classic old Venice feel, it clearly is steeped in history and remodeled with love. There are some sweet touches, like Venetian masks on the door of every room. But our favorite thing is the room on the top floor with the sloped attic ceiling and striped Venetian upholstered furniture, like my girl loves. We’re both a fan of the room with the private little roof terrace.