San Polo 2542, Fondamenta Contarini, Venice, Italy | (251) 219-4428
Serene garden where breakfast is served during warmer months
All rooms have garden views
Very quiet
Satellite channels on flat-screen TVs
High-speed internet
Some rooms have mini-fridges and others have wine coolers
Not enough drawers in some of the rooms
No hot food at breakfast
Carrying luggage to the hotel can be a challenge
The Oltre il Giardino is an upscale boutique hotel with only six rooms built to feel like a home. All of the comfortable rooms blend classic and modern touches and overlook a serene garden, which is a rare find in Venice. The hotel is down an alley and on a side canal in an area that is off the beaten path and away from the noise of the city -- but still within walking distance of the Rialto Bridge. The hotel books up quickly due to its small size, and guests looking for an intimate experience may also want to consider the seven-room Al Ponte Antico Hotel, which has a slightly more convenient location, as well as views of the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge.
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Scene
Cozy boutique hotel with a beautiful garden
Down a small alley and through a gate, guests will find a charming three-story hotel with light-colored bricks and green shutters on a side canal. The inviting lobby on the ground floor of the Oltre il Giardino feels like the living room of a private home. With its cozy environment, the hotel is like a B&B minus the hot food. In the garden, home to olive, magnolia and pomegranate trees, guests can enjoy cereals and yogurts for breakfast in the warmer months or bring their own wine to sip on at dusk while enjoying the serenity of the space.
Location
On a quiet side canal away from the bustling city
The Oltre il Giardino is located on down a small path, on a quiet side canal near the Frari Basilica, one of the most impressive churches in Venice. It’s a four-minute walk from the hotel to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a building full of beautiful Renaissance paintings and is an 11-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge and bustling market area. Piazza San Parco is a bit farther -- around 20 minutes on foot. Hauling luggage to the out-of-the-way location can be a challenge.
Rooms
Large, beautifully decorated rooms with garden views
The hotel's six large yet cozy rooms' chic interior decor perfectly blend various patterns and texture to create a very intimate ambience. Decor varies by room and includes both classic and modern touches. Rooms may include animal hide area rugs, antique trunks, claw-foot tubs, and iron headboards; all have a homey feel. Some rooms have balconies overlooking the canal, and all rooms have a view of the property's ornate garden. Flat-screen TVs and high speed internet come standard, and guests either get a refrigerator or a wine cooler.
Features
Free breakfast in an elegant garden
Oltre il Giardino doesn't offer many extras, but its beautifully maintained garden is a small oasis in a busy city. That's where guests take their breakfast (generally a selection of fruits, cereal and pastries) during warmer months. Babysitting services can be arranged for a fee, and a DVD player is available on request.
