Amongst the illustrious line-up of historical Palazzi, churches, and museums along the Grand Canal, lies an important historical space, which for hundreds of years has been known as Palazzo Bacchini delle Palme, and it has now reopened its doors after almost 50 years of neglect, as Palazzo Venart on August 29th 2016.
Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel, located in Venice, has joined The Leading Hotels of the World, a curated collection of independent and distinct luxury hotels.
“We are pleased to welcome Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel to our collection of uncommon, independent hotels,” said Deniz Omurgonulsen, Vice President, Membership, The Leading Hotels of the World. “The intimate property, located right on Venice’s Grand Canal, is rich with history and exudes Italian elegance. Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel’s attention to personalisation and ability to curate uncommon experiences for curious travellers makes it a perfect addition to The Leading Hotels of the World portfolio.”
Amongst the illustrious line-up of historical Palazzi, churches, and museums along the Grand Canal, lies an important historical space, which for hundreds of years has been known as Palazzo Bacchini delle Palme, and it has now reopened its doors after almost 50 years of neglect, as Palazzo Venart on August 29th 2016. At the end of a two-year restoration venture, the entire palace has gently been unwrapped like a coveted antique Murano chandelier, piece by piece, room by room, under the close supervision of Venetian art historians. Ceilings and walls, which bore the faded frescoes of the 1800s, have been restored to their former glory by local artisans, and Venetian furnishings, chandeliers, silks and brocades sourced to suit, have been put back into the bedrooms and suites of the Palazzo. Everything is where it belonged. Waking up inside the history of Venice at the Venart, there had to be no doubt of where you were. The rooms named after Titian, Casanova, Marco Polo, Dandolo, Lord Byron, Murano and Carnevale, to name a few of the 18 bedrooms and suites, bring you close to a very noble and elegant past.
On the Piano Nobile, a fine Christie’s piano arrived with the help of antiques experts from the Fondazione La Fenice who were drafted in for the task, taking the delicately hand-painted French court- piano with immense care, from the floating barge, over the waters and into the gardens of the Venart, and finally, up one floor to the Piano Nobile. This tale of the piano alone, with so many more, is one that captures the importance of the historical content of the arts behind this hotel. No detail slipped the professional restoration works, and with the passion of the owners, the property today is a palatial home- cum-hotel of the most exquisite standards, run by General Manager Angelo Rizzi, formerly of Dorchester Principe di Savoia in Milan and Grand Hotel Villa d’Este on Lake Como.
Set within the walls of Palazzo Venart and a magnolia scented enclave lies Enrico Bartolini’s, Italy’s youngest 2-Michelin starred chef, new outpost, RISTORANTE GLAM. Creating a contemporary Italian food experience, Enrico brings his expertise to La Serenissima, after the recent opening of his restaurant in the MUDEC in Milan, amongst others. His initiative here, his research for local produce, mixed with his innovative approach have brought local values of the past and present together, much like the ethos of the entire Venart building. The restaurant is set in a very intimate and cosy veranda-style dining room, looking onto the inner courtyard of the hotel, and dining is de rigeur in the waterfront garden, by candlelight, overlooking the Grand Canal.
On the doorstep of this Baroque splendour lie age-old artisanal workshops within the labyrinthine recesses of Venice. Private visits to restorers and artisans, some of whom were involved in the restoration of Palazzo Venart, can be arranged by the hotel itself. One such workshop is Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua, whose jacquard hand looms date back to the 19th century and where to this day, they continue to make the best silk velvets in the world for high profile customers such as The White House and the Kremlin, and for some of the most iconic couturiers and fashion brands of our time.
Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel was recently also included in the Conde Nast Traveller 2016 HOT LIST, as one of the new best hotels in the world.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
