Violino d’Oro: A Boutique Hotel in Venice Celebrating Italian Artistry

Mon, 01/08/2024 - 07:50

Inside Violino d'Oro

Ed.: The Inspired Stays series highlights hotels we love around Italy. Each property is independently reviewed by an Italy Magazine writer, who is generally hosted on a complimentary basis. Our contributors do not accept compensation or gifts in exchange for specific types of coverage. We only showcase properties we would genuinely recommend overall.

Why we love it

This intimate boutique hotel in the heart of Venice proudly showcases Italian artisanship, from the hand-laid terrazzo floors to the vintage Venini chandeliers and contemporary vases by a pair of glassmaking Venetian sisters.

What to expect

A new member of the Leading Hotels of the World, this property feels like the home of a sophisticated art collector with eclectic taste. There are antiques and Chinoiserie that recall Marco Polo and the Silk Route, mid-century furnishings, and contemporary art and design by young artists from Venice and Tuscany. Exploring the hotel is like a treasure hunt for design fans, who can spot Rubelli fabrics by Luke Edward Hall, a Fortuny chandelier, Ginori plates and Gae Aulenti Pipistrello lamps.

Background

Part of the Em Collection by the Maestrelli family, who run Florence’s Grand Hotel Minerva and Villa Roma Imperiale in Forte dei Marmi, Violino d’Oro was conceived by Sara Maestrelli and her aunt Elena. They united three adjacent three- and four-star hotels to create a luxe five-star hotel.

Location, location, location

Abutting the Canal of San Moisè, the hotel has a canal-side entrance in addition to the main entrance on the designer boutique-lined Calle Larga XXII Marzo. Piazza San Marco is a five-minute walk, and attractions like the Doge’s Palace, Harry’s Bar and Caffè Florian are all nearby.

Where you’ll sleep

There are 32 rooms and each one is unique. Some have wood-beamed ceilings, while others have a terrace. All feature a neutral color scheme with beige or forest green accents, Nespresso machines and minibars. Bathrooms come stocked with Ortigia bath products and amenity boxes by a Florentine artisan. My spacious suite had a sitting room, separate bedroom, two bathrooms (one with a shower and one with a tub), a walk-in closet and a terrace. I especially loved the glass sinks in the bathrooms.

Dining & drinks

Dining at Violino d'Oro — *Dining at Violino d*’*Oro*

The restaurant and bar are very mindful of vegans, vegetarians and gluten-free diners. Il Piccolo Bar in the lobby serves light bites and creative cocktails by an award-winning bartender, while the intimate Il Piccolo Restaurant serves elegant dishes by Chef Stefano Santo, who worked at top hotels like Borgo Egnazia in Puglia and Borgo Santo Pietro in Tuscany. Breakfast — served a la carte — includes options like vegan pastries and cashew cheese, plus standards like omelets and pancakes.

Service notes

Staff members are genuinely friendly and welcoming. A special mention goes to the helpful concierge Matteo and the charismatic general manager Annabella Carriello, who previously managed the intimate Hotel Vilòn in Rome.

Spa time

There’s no spa, but in-room treatments can be arranged upon request.

Family perks

Families can request connecting rooms and kids are welcomed with teddy bears, special bath products and other amenities. Matteo can organize family-friendly excursions and activities like treasure hunts for kids.

You should know...

Details at Violino d'Oro — *Refined details at Violino d’Oro*

Thanks to Sara’s personal connections, the hotel can arrange visits to the studios of some of the city’s top artisans, including the Micheluzzi sisters of Micheluzzi Glass and Antonia Sautter, who’s behind Venice’s most exclusive masked ball during Carnevale.