Palazzina Grassi, Venice

The French style guru Philippe Starck has a portfolio of acclaimed hotel designs. His debut in Venice comes with a sophisticated, opulent, and intensely original Palazzina Grassi located in a 16th-century Canal Grande house.

Designed to make guests feel ‘temporarily Venetian,’ the design of Palazzina Grassi brings a long-overdue contemporary edge to Italy‘s floating city.

Low-key at first glance

Palazzina Grassi has no exterior nameplate, traditional reception, or concierge desk. The atmosphere here is more like a private aristocratic Venetian home than a top hotel. This low-key appearance disappears in the lobby.

The lobby’s welcoming space features a long mirrored glass bar on one side and the restaurant’s open kitchen on the other. With its seductive low lighting, mahogany paneled walls, and plush armchairs, it is a great place to come for cocktails, live music, and local cuisine.

Starck signature

The hotel occupies a 2,800 sq m 16th-century noble house, and the interiors distill the essence of Venice, contrasting and harmonizing tradition and modernity. The hotel has floor-to-ceiling Venetian mirrors, multi-colored hallways in bright red to acid almond green, huge rugs in vivid colors, vintage and rare books, antique pieces, mahogany, and unique artworks with Starck’s design signature all over it.

While the lobby is dark and romantic, the French designer has gone for a total contrast of bright white interiors in the bedrooms. The über-contemporary suites are white from the furniture to the walls and floors, while the tiny masked symbols here and there display typical playful touches from Starck.

A-list

The Palazzina Grassi experience starts with a vintage mahogany 1962 Celli speedboat, which can be booked to collect guests from the airport — and check-in taking place onboard. Dropped off at the hotel’s private jetty, guests get the impression of arriving in a private home.

No wonder A-listers choose to call it home when they’re in town. Johnny Depp took over the best suite for three months while filming The Tourist, and Angelina Joli is also said to be a fan of the place.

in our opinion

Overlooking the Grand Canal right in the heart of the "floating city," the sophisticated and original Palazzina Grassi stands in refreshing contrast to the grande dames of the Venice hotel scene. It's quite perfect for a romantic getaway.

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What we love

• The aura and charm of an aristocratic Venetian home.
• The super-stylish interior design by Philippe Starck, with the simplicity of the all-white themed rooms.
• Great arrival experience, including the pick-up service in the hotel's 1962 Celli boat. Check-in takes place en route to the hotel.
• Superb location: Venice's main museums, art galleries, and attractions, including the Galleria dell Accademia, San Marco, and the Palazzo Grassi, are a short walk away.
• Private G Club overlooking the Grand Canal and featuring the first Krug Champagnerie in Italy offer a cozy space where hotel guests and their friends mix with Venetian society.
• Breakfast can be served at any time or in any part of the hotel. A must for morning-afters.

What you should know

• Many rooms are quite small. Book one of the suites!
• The Krug Lounge is accessible exclusively for guests of the Suite Apartments and members.
• There is no swimming pool and no spa.
• A chic restaurant and bar are open to the public.