Hotel Casa Verardo – Residenza D’Epoca

The entrance of the 16th-century Hotel Casa Verardo has a quintessential Venetian vibe. This pink, four-story hotel sits on one of Castello's atmospheric canals, with a cobblestone walkway that leads to a crooked bridge over the water. Green wooden shutters and metalwork adorn the exterior. Inside, exposed beams line the ceiling in a hallway while antique paintings and Venetian light fixtures hang in the small reception area. Elaborate Sansovino-framed paintings tastefully line the walls of the hotel, which is a certified Residenza d’Epoca, or historic house.It opened in the 1900s as a single-floor hotel and then was expanded when the current owners, Daniela and Francesco Mestre, took over. With its rooftop terrace and tranquil garden courtyard, this is a quiet retreat right in the heart of the city. The Castello District location is convenient for tourists who want to easily walk to Piazza San Marco, waterfront restaurants, shops, and water taxis, and the majority of guests here are couples and families.

The Ponte Storto, or crooked bridge, is at the hotel’s entrance, which overlooks a small canal. This quiet location in Venice's Castello District is within an easy five-minute walk from Piazza San Marco, which is home to Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile, and lots of pigeons that are ready to be photographed. The Bridge of Sighs is also a five-minute walk from the hotel, while the Rialto Bridge will take closer to 10 minutes to reach on foot. It will take about 10 minutes to reach the luxury shops just west of Piazza San Marco, clustered on Calle Vallaresso and Calle Goldoni. Getting from the hotel to the San Zaccharia water taxi stop takes five minutes on foot, with porter service available on request. It will take a 15 minutes to reach destinations like the Peggy Guggenhiem Collection by a combination of water taxi and walking. Expect a trip to Venice Marco Polo Airport to take nearly an hour by ferry.

The style in rooms varies, but all offer a twist on classic Venetian style, though some are more modern than others. Expect to see details like deliberately antiqued gray walls made to look like original stone, heavy drapes, polished hardwood furniture with antique lines, handsome parquet floors, and Murano glass light fixtures. other rooms have striped or damask wallpaper. Bright fabrics contrast with deep jewel tones to keep things bright. We loved the original wood-beam ceilings that we saw in some rooms that we visited, and some upgraded rooms have canal views or terraces. 

The hotel offers rooms with queen beds, three beds, and twin beds for solo travelers. Junior Suites and Suites fit up to four people. Private bathrooms come with hairdryers, shower/tub combos, bidets, and heated towel racks. All rooms have air-conditioning, safes, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and honor bars that can be customized with healthier options. Kettles and ironing services are available for a fee. The annex, which is used when the main building gets overbooked, is a few hundred meters from the main hotel and has modern rooms, but there’s no elevator. Wheelchair accessible rooms are, however, offered at the main hotel. 

The Casa Verardo offers ample indoor and outdoor lounge space despite its small appearance. On the fourth floor is the hotel’s rooftop terrace, which overlooks Venice. On the ground floor is a charming courtyard with rattan furniture, a stone patio, and potted plants coming together to make it a lovely place to escape the frequent crowds in the city center. Another terrace, open when weather permits, is connected to the classically designed breakfast lounge, where a hot and cold buffet is served in the morning. The second-floor drawing room is elegant, with antique furniture and paintings, and an afternoon tea and sandwiches are served here for an additional fee. The small bar is decorated in red-and-black velvet decor and has 24 hour service. There's also a computer in the corner of the drawing room, though Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Front desk staff can assist with faxing and printing documents, and storing luggage. Private gatherings can be accommodated in the hotel’s event spaces. Pets are welcomed here and the hotel can arrange pet sitters.