Ca’ Di Dio
Just a 15-minute stroll from the Rialto Bridge, in the Arsenale district where the Biennale takes place, is the stylish, hip yet historically aware Ca' di Dio. As much a house as a hotel, Ca’ di Dio appeals to a young, design-conscious, international clientele, and challenges the perception of Venice hotels all being living museums packed with paintings, frescos and chandeliers.
That’s not to say it doesn’t respect its own past. The building dates back to the 13th century and its historical charms have been preserved in the suave and stylish reading room, secluded inner courtyard and hidden vegetable and herb garden. Of the 66 rooms and suites, 13 enjoy lagoon views, with the pick of the bunch being the Rooftop Terrace Suite, complete with sweeping 360-degree views over the waterways, rooftops and bell towers of Venice.
Restaurants include a casual all-day dining space that spills out into the inner courtyard and the wonderful VERO Restaurant, offering views of the lagoon and Island of San Giorgio. The spa uses products developed by a Venetian fragrance and skincare brand, and the in-house boutique sells items created from materials upcycled during the hotel’s renovation, including notebooks bound in carefully removed wallpaper.
