Hotel Paganelli

The Hotel Paganelli is built in an ancient Benedictine convent, and retains the spirit of its architecture and history in the rough-hewn wood beams, marble and stone floors, and beautiful inlaid doors. The Paganelli has been a hotel since the early 1900s. The decor is bright and contemporary, with modern art, very apropos for a hotel located so close to the famed Venice Bienniele. There are comfortable clusters of chairs where guests can relax in the lobby, and various niches around the property, as well as on the upstairs terrace, where visitors can order a drink or espresso and gaze across the red tile rooftops. The courtyard offers a shady spot to sit, where guests can almost hear the nuns who originally lived here. Outside is tourist chaos, but within the hotel’s walls, visitors can take a deep breath.

Note that Hotel Paganelli is actually split between two buildings, a main building and the annex where some rooms are located and breakfast is served. 

The Hotel Paganelli is located in the Castello historic district, right in the heart of Venice, an ideal spot for sightseers, within a 10-minute walk of the Bridge of Sighs, the Piazza San Marco, and all of the major tourist attractions. There are vaporetto stops nearby, which put the entire city within reach. The Paganelli sits on St. Mark’s Basin, and offers spectacular views of the island of San Giorgio. The hotel is split between two buildings: the main building on Riva degli Schiavoni and the annex down an alley in the Campo San Zaccaria.

Rooms at the Hotel Paganelli are clean and well-decorated, with a mix of Art Deco and classic Venetian flourishes. Rooms are located in the main building or the annex in the Campo San Zaccaria, and have touches such as antique ceilings, restored wooden doors, original wooden beams, and gorgeous, renovated bathrooms with excellent showers and mosaic tile work. Some rooms have terraces, and views are of the courtyard or lagoon. Amenities include air-conditioning, refrigerators, safes, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Although most of the guest rooms are small, they have full-size closets, desks, and comfortable beds. Large Family Rooms sleeping four are available.

The Hotel Paganelli has a contemporary bar, originally a Tuscan tavern circa 1874, which serves drinks and finger food, including pizza and focaccia, all day long. The hotel’s restaurant serves Venetian and Italian cuisine, and the menu changes daily. Room service is available for limited hours. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and offers a variety of choices, but the breakfast room is small, and lines tend to form. The roof garden, atop a high turret, has a 360-degree panoramic view, with cocktail service. There is a lobby TV room where guests can congregate, especially during the cold winter months.