Palazzo Paruta

Like many places in labyrinthine Venice, the Palazzo Paruta can be a challenge to locate. An arched footbridge over a canal takes guests to the pink stuccoed 17th-century palace, where the stone steps leading down to the pistachio green and gilt trimmed lobby are lined with lanterns in the evenings. During the day, light streams through sliding glass doors. The marble-topped reception desk sits across from a red velvet settee, the only seating in the lobby. The dining room, where a breakfast buffet is served from silver chafing dishes on a long table, features embossed gold wallpaper and exposed wood ceiling beams, while afternoon tea is served in a dramatic room with rose red wallpaper and several large gilt-edged mirrors. Both rooms have high ceilings, massive Murano glass chandeliers, and gilt-framed oil paintings of Venetian scenery. The magical outdoor spaces are atmospherically lit by candles and lanterns in the evenings and are furnished with white rattan furniture, stone statuary, and tropical palms, geraniums, and lemon trees.

The Palazzo Paruta sits canal-side, halfway between Rialto and Campo Santo Stefano in the neighborhood of St. Mark's Square. Walking or boating is virtually the only way to see Venice. The street layout can be a bit confusing, but travelers would do well to get lost in the charming side-alleys and courtyards. Arriving at the hotel means a three-minute walk from the nearest ferry stop along the Grand Canal. St. Mark's Square is under a 10-minute walk, where travelers will find several not-to-be missed tourist attractions, including St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace. Rialto Market is a 13-minute walk away. Venice's Marco Polo Airport is about a 20-minute drive.

All of the rooms at the Palazzo Paruta are beautifully appointed with sumptuous decor that includes historic wallpapers, gilt frame mirrors, and velvet headboards. The beds are topped with white Egyptian cotton linens and throws in various jewel-toned accent fabrics. Standard Rooms are small, but elegant, with rustic beamed ceilings, beds in mirrored niches, and small antique desks. The wooden shuttered windows open onto courtyard views. Larger rooms are dramatic with high, coffered ceilings, marble floors, canopies, and wallpapers in dusky-hues of celery, pale blue, and marigold. These rooms have small, skirted tables and chairs as well as desks. Some rooms offer canal or courtyard views. Amenities include flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, minibars, telephones, safes, and free Wi-FI, plus all but Standard Rooms have tea/coffee facilities (some have Nespresso coffeemakers). Marble bathrooms have bidets, heated towel racks, and either walk-in rainfall showers, or both tubs and showers. 

Amenities and services at the hotel are bit limited, especially considering its four-pearl status, but do include several beautiful indoor and outdoor common areas, such as a lovely courtyard and terrace skirted in greenery and offering comfortable seating. Free breakfast is served in a sunny dining room, and free afternoon tea is also offered daily and served in a lushly appointed space. The hotel offers transport from Marco Polo Airport for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.