Bloom & Settimo Cielo

Rooms

Each room is gorgeously lavish, with dramatically different colour schemes. Our favourite was done out in creams and whites (perfect for a honeymoon), but others feature stunning jewel-bright colours, from purples to deep pinks. They're not huge but all are rich and traditional in style, with heavy curtains and thick brocaded fabrics plus antique furniture, flocked wallpapers and gilded mirrors complementing the old architecture of beamed ceilings, brick walls and wooden floors. Although some are rather more contemporary and lighter in colour, the feel is of sheer opulence throughout. Some in Settimo Cielo have full-length French windows, and all come with contemporary bathrooms, some with baths, some with large walk-in showers.

There are 3 kinds of room - Double Charme, Double Superior and Triple Superior. Double Superiors are larger than Charmes and have a kingsize bed rather than queensize, but the Double Charmes have bathtubs while Superiors have showers. The Triple Superiors are the largest rooms and come with 3 beds, either 3 singles or 1 kingsize plus 1 single, so perfect for small families.

We stayed in a Double Superior and were grateful for the extra space. It had views of the opposite church and was pleasingly quiet (considering it's above the main thoroughfare). Sunshine beamed through the window in the morning. The bathroom was modern with a huge walk-in shower, chrome fittings and subtle tiling. The only thing we missed was tea/coffee-making facilities.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

A continental, buffet-style breakfast is included in the rate. This consists of fresh fruit, delicious pastries and breads, plus hams, cheeses, eggs, interesting jams (fig, blueberry) and cereals. Gluten-free and non-dairy options are available. Tea and coffee is also served, along with just-squeezed orange juice. In a country where breakfasts are often too packaged, we were appreciative of all the fresh produce.

For lunch and dinner, you're located on the edge of a large but quiet square, Campo Santo Stefano, home to numerous restaurants, ranging from top-price fish restaurants to bargain pizza eateries and gelaterias for delicious Italian ice creams. Further afield, there are plenty of fabulous eateries. Head to the market area near the Rialto, where there are several excellent restaurants lining a square that sits right on the Grand Canal. For a taste of iconic Venice, dine outdoors at Caffé Florian (Italy's oldest café) on the Piazza San Marco, or head to the famous (and outrageously expensive) Harry’s Bar for world-class Bellinis and carpaccio.

Ask for dining advice when you check-in, as there's no in-room info and it can be difficult to judge the quality of Venetian restaurants on their looks alone. We were pointed in the direction of Osteria Ai Promessi Sposi. It’s a beautiful 10-minute amble from the hotel and serves good local grub.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Stroll 5 minutes to the Grand Canal and cross the bridge to the giant Accademia museum, home to endless, breath-taking art treasures
  
• Catch an impromptu recital by acclaimed violin troop Interpreti Veneziani. Evening performances are regularly held in the Chiesa di San Vidal (mere moments from the hotel), where Renaissance masterpieces adorn the church’s walls, mostly bookable on the day
  
• Take a 10-minute walk to the most famous square in Venice. The Piazza San Marco is the centre of the action with the glittering Basilica di San Marco, the historic Palazzo Ducale, and the Museo Corror lining its tourist filled centre
  
• The Teatro La Fenice is one of the most famous (and beautiful) theatres in Italy. It's worth booking tickets to the opera ahead of your trip, but daytime self-guided audio tours are available
  
• Catch a boat out to Murano and Burano, the outlying islands in the lagoon famous, respectively, for glass-making and brightly painted houses and lace. They are worth it for the boat ride alone
  
• Sip Prosecco and watch the sun set over the Venetian rooftops from the hotel’s private roof terrace

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours

Kids

Bloom & Settimo Cielo is more of a couple’s boutique retreat, but children are allowed. 0-3 year olds can be accommodated in a baby cot provided by the hotel at no extra cost (on request). There are no rollaway beds, but there are 2 triple rooms, which would suit families. On the terrace, there is a sitting area for little children, and the library on the top floor includes books for them.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Bloom & Settimo Cielo share a townhouse on the edge of Campo Santo Stefano, in the central San Marco district. It's just 5 minutes from the Accademia, and 10 minutes from St Mark's Square.

By Air
Venice's Marco Polo (10km) airport is the closest, though Treviso (30km) is convenient, too. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
Visitors arriving in Marco Polo Airport can either take a private water taxi or the Alilaguna shared taxi-boat straight from the airport. It's also possible to take a bus/taxi to Piazzale Roma and walk or take a vaporetto (waterbus). There are regular bus services from Treviso Airport (approx 40-minute drive). From here, catch a vaporetto (waterbus) down the Grand Canal (towards San Marco) and get off at the Sant’ Angelo stop. Once on dry land, it's a 3-minute walk to the B&B.

By Train
If you'd prefer to travel overland from the UK, you can reach Venice quite easily with the Eurostar from London, changing in Paris. Once in Venice, follow the vaporetto advice listed above.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to Venice and getting around