Modern Stay in Venice Italy: Il Palazzo Experimental
I’m just getting back to my desk after a week away in Italy. Today, I wanted to share a dedicated blog post touring one of my favorite hotels in Venice because it’s convenient, affordable, stunning, and a place everyone should visit (even for a quick drink)– should you be planning a trip to the City of Bridges. We’ve stayed here many times, but this year our visit was quick… we flew into Venice on our way to ski the Dolomites and only had time for one night in the city. Regardless, it felt appropriate to share because if there were ever a hotel to inspire an interior aesthetic appropriate for the week of Valentine’s… it’s this place! Click through for a fun and modern hotel tour in Italy, ideal for a February mood booster.
Italy has always been a special place to me and we try to visit as often as possible. Living in Salt Lake City… Venice is oddly the most affordable and efficient city we’re able to find flights to and from. Once in Italy, we travel by train. Having an easy, comfortable, and familiar place to crash for a night after a long travel day has been wonderful- and this is always a hotel we enjoy returning to. If you missed these posts the first time around, be sure to check out some of our past Italian trips in the Amalfi Coast, Venice, and Florence!
Hotel Tour
Now for the fun part… let’s go on a little tour, shall we? Welcome to the Il Palazzo Experimental. I fell upon this hotel a few years ago, while searching for a place with character, comfort, cleanliness, and convenience (a tricky combination to score). It met my high standards, had awesome ratings, and checked my aesthetic box (interior designer here), so I went for it… we’ve been coming back since.
What do you think? Doesn’t it feel appropriate for sharing this week, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner? The maroon, red, blush, and rose palette perfectly pairs with pistachio and deep green hues. It’s a fun and beautiful place, off the beaten path- which is amazing if you’re trying to escape the super touristy spots of Venice.
They also have a lovely bar (with free welcome drinks), breakfast, a restaurant for dinner, and some unique amenities. The dining area is filled with marble, terrazzo, and interesting textures & surfaces. I love when old historic pieces meet new design elements…. like this modern hotel, inside an extremely old building- it’s a lovely juxtaposition.
From soft velvet to shiny tile and natural stone, there is no shortage of details to be discovered. I also love the use of repeated shapes found throughout the hotel.
Each room in this boutique hotel has a unique design, but oddly enough- we’ve landed in the same room every time we’ve stayed here. Selfishly, I’d love to see more of them!
Color blocking is another design element you’ll see repeated throughout Il Palazzo Experimental. Crisp lines, chair rails, painted ceilings, and even accent walls are splashed with complementary hues.
While it was pretty cold last week while we were visiting, I can attest to enjoying the charming patio during the warmer spring & summer months. It’s located right on the canal with beautiful views.
Charming, right? Definitely save or pin this place for your next visit to Venice! Getting there is easy, too…
Location & Getting There
If you’re staying anywhere in Venice, you’ll need to take a water taxi from the airport. They have a public water taxi that is super affordable- or you can take a private boat.
If you take the private route- they’ll drop you right in front of the hotel at the dock… just steps in front of the Il Palazzo Experimental entry door. The public taxi dock is also nearby- on that same street. Personally, I love staying on this side of the city because it’s an easy walk to most things, is much less busy, and the views are fabulous.
Other Favorite Stops in Venice
If you have more time in Venice, I wanted to include a few of my personal favorite stops or quick recommendations…
Eat & Drink…
- Gelatoteca Suso
- Experimental Cocktail Club (bar in this hotel) & Il Ristorante Adriatica
- Longhi Bar at Gritti Palace
- Hostaria Castello
- All’Arco
- La Palanca
- Cafe Florian (get there early for espresso & cappuccino)
See & Do…
- Walk around in the evening… it’s a sleepy city that gets quiet at night, with lanterns illuminating the bridges, canals, and pathways.
- Take the ferry to Burano.
- Visit St Marks Basilica and explore Piazza San Marco.
- Visit the Ponte di Rialto market.
More Places to Stay…
- Ca’di Dio
- The Gritti Palace
- Palazzina Grassi
- Hotel Violino d’Oro
- Hotel Cipriani
FAQ
Suso, La Mela Verde, or Venchi! There are a lot of good options though… just don’t get sucked into the super touristy ones with mounds of gelato piled high with swirls.
It depends on the season and time of year, but we were able to grab a room for less than $170 (in the off season- ahead of Carnival). It’s definitely one of the more affordable places to stay on the island.
Related
Looking for more travel and design inspiration? I’ll link some of my favorite tours and posts for you below…
- My Best Travel Tips for Good Deals & Upgrades
- My Go To Carry-On & Luggage Set: Paravel Review
- Our Quick Italian Getaway : Venice
- Travel Journal: My trip to Spain Visiting Porcelanosa
- Our Quick Italian Getaway : Amalfi Coast
- 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai (+ Our Time in Thailand)
- Our Quick Italian Getaway : Florence
- Diving & Jungle Adventures in Indonesia
- Amsterdam Travel Guide
- Seal Cove Inn at Moss Beach
I hope you enjoyed a closer look at this modern hotel! Have you ever visited Venice? Would you consider staying here? What do you think of the design? I’m excited to dive back into work today, post vacation. Here’s to a great week ahead! I’ll drop some furniture & decor finds inspired by Il Palazzo Experimental below…
