Step back in time. Surrounded by gorgeous antiques, paintings, superb authentic ceilings, damask walls and marquetry floors, you'll feel like an honoured guest of a historic Venetian family as you're warmly welcomed by the palazzo's charming staff.
Tucked away down the snug Calle Priuli alleyway, in the bohemian Cannaregio quarter, fronted by a secret walled garden, this was the private mansion of the Priuli family of Doges, and dates to the late 16th-century. The Rossis bought it in 1975 as their home and, after a quarter century of loving restoration - seeking out the perfect period detail, the finest pieces of furniture - opened it as an intimate hotel. Marisa (as she is known) grew up in a Palladian villa "surrounded by beautiful history", then ran several factories in Vicenza, inviting clients to the Abadessa (the 'Mother Superior') for weekend breaks. Now she, and her son Simone, love welcoming cultured folk from all over the world to stay in their elegant palazzo hotel.
Highs
- The location: beside a quiet canal, with the option of coming and going by private water taxi from the palace’s own red-carpeted jetty, only a 15-minute walk from the airport waterbus, and 3 minutes to the Ca'D'Oro vaporetto stop
- The huge ground floor ballroom with tall stained glass windows to the jetty; and the equally grand 'piano nobile' above, connected by a unique horseshoe staircase
- The sumptuous bedrooms, with authentic 17th-century frescoes, 18th-century furniture, silk-lined walls and massive Murano-glass chandeliers
- Nothing is too much trouble for the staff, as we reaffirmed on a recent visit
- The large walled garden where you can enjoy breakfast
Lows
- Breakfast is the only in-house meal, though they can order in for parties and conferences
- The property focuses squarely on its heritage, some will prefer more contemporary surroundings
- Some of the rooms are small and low-ceilinged
- Only a few of the rooms have bathtubs, though all have ensuite showers
Best time to go
Venice is an all year round destination, most prefer the spring and autumn seasons when the weather is at its most balmy. Availability is best in the winter. Note that Palazzo Abadessa is usually closed most of January for maintenance
Our top tips
Venice is great for shopping - the streets leading to St Mark's Square are lined with exclusive designer stores, the Dorsoduro area is full of independent galleries, and San Polo has the Rialto market as well as great artisan masks and furnishings
Location
The palazzo is tucked away off the Calle Priuli, a 15-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge, in the Cannaregio quarter.
By Air
Fly into Venice Marco Polo (13km) or nearby Treviso Airport (30km), both have regular flights and offer easy access to central Venice.
From the Airport
Visitors arriving in Marco Polo Airport can either take a private water taxi to the hotel's private dock on the Santa Sophia canal, or the Alilaguna shared taxi-boat (line blue) straight from the airport to the Fondamente Nuove stop. It's also possible to take a bus/taxi to Piazzale Roma and walk or take a vaporetto (waterbus) from there. There are regular bus services from Treviso Airport (approx 40-minute drive). From here, catch a vaporetto down the Grand Canal (towards San Marco) and get off at the Ca d'Oro stop, which is a 5 minute walk to the Palazzo.
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. See the excellent Seat 61 for details.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com
More on getting to Venice and getting around
Airports:
- Venice 13.0 km VCE
- Treviso 30.0 km TSF
Other:
- Beach 3.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km