Hotel Saturnia & International

In 1908, Hotel Saturnia & International began life as a humble guesthouse with eight rooms. Today it has evolved into an upscale landmark that sits comfortably on one of the most fashionable streets in San Marco. Inspired by its glittering past, the design throughout is traditional, but far from kitschy or stuffy. Instead, the hotel has opted for an Art Deco style that feels endlessly glamorous and unusual for Venice. There’s a beautiful dark-wood original staircase scaling the hotel's four floors, low ceilings with ornate designs, and chandeliers in the lobby and lounge, giving the hotel’s communal areas a darkly romantic, almost Gothic look. The small lobby has a colorful arched window and a decent amount of stylish seating -- we saw lots of guests hanging out here while they waited for boat trips to Murano. In the evenings, plenty of travelers and locals can be found at the ground-floor La Caravella restaurant and bar, which has a handsome, speakeasy feel. 

Saturnia & International sits in what’s considered one of the most desirable areas in the San Marco neighborhood. There are numerous luxury boutiques nearby as well as major landmarks and restaurants. Positioned on Calle Larga XXII Marzo, outlets like Moncler, Dolce & Gabbana, and Balenciaga are the hotel's neighbors. Equally impressive is the La Fenice Theatre that's just across the road. This opera house is considered one of the most famous landmarks in Italian theatre. St. Mark’s Square is a five-minute walk away, and is just about visible from the hotel’s rooftop terrace, with the Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs just beyond. The famous Rialto Bridge takes slightly longer -- 10 minutes -- to reach on foot. The Dorsoduro area is similarly close -- around 12 minutes away on foot. This part of Venice is filled with academics and artists, plus lots of cheap street-food stalls and low-key coffee shops. It takes 50 minutes to get to the Marco Polo Airport from the hotel. The easiest route to take is a water bus to Piazzale Roma bus terminal, and then an airport shuttle for the remainder of the journey. 

The 87-rooms draw inspiration from the Art Deco era as well as traditional Venetian style. Interiors differ from room to room, but most have light-wood floors, heavy furniture, and terra-cotta colored walls. The mostly dark palette gets a lift from the table lamps and huge windows. While some rooms overlook the nearby canal, garden, inner courtyard, or main street, others may look onto unimpressive back alleys and corners. Beds are comfy and have a neutral color scheme of soft grays and browns, which feels high-end and restrained (particularly for Venice). Standard Double Rooms feature at least one chair, while Deluxe Doubles have a pair of artfully arranged chairs and usually a plush armchair too. Junior Suites include ample seating. There are good-sized writing desks too.Amenities include 26-inch LCD TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, safes, and air-conditioning, plus thick bathrobes and slippers. Contemporary bathrooms have generous showers with powerful large shower heads and mosaic bathtubs or sunken tubs in addition to classy Geneva Guild toiletries and hairdryers. The most impressive option is the Family Room, which has two bathrooms, marble sinks, a double shower, amazing high ceilings with wooden beams, and floor lights. 

The hotel’s biggest feature is La Caravella, a historic restaurant that's independent of the hotel but within the same building. It opened in 1963 and continues the tradition of destination dining and drinking at the Saturnia & International. In the '50s, the bar was known as Circo’s Bar and it was the drinking place of choice for Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Satre. Today, fashionable people still meet here, and there’s a feeling of discrete old-school glamour in these hallowed walls. The food is Venetian with a modern twist and its accompanied by an excellent wine list. In summer you can dine outside, but the atmospheric nautical interiors make a good case for eating in. Guests get some priority for drinking and eating here, but reservations are a must. An extensive continental buffet is included in the rates, which is particularly well-liked by guests because of the variety and quality. As with any hotel of this caliber, the reception is able to arrange transfers to the airport and private tours. The hotel also offers free boat trips to Murano island, which are popular with guests. As of early 2018, the hotel’s conference room was being renovated, but once it has reopened it will accommodate 45 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Atop the hotel, there’s a terrace with spectacular views that's the preferred cocktail spot for guests. While there’s no gym on-site, guests can use a gym that's a 10-minute walk away for free. Plans for a spa are in the works, but as of early 2018 it was not complete.