"A sleek boutique hotel with only seven rooms, clean-lined and fresh, and a welcome break from the usual Venetian decadence."
Given the vast number of hotels in Venice, very few of these are ‘designer’ boutique hotels. This is hardly surprising as the majority of visitors to the islands want a taste of traditional Venice. However, if you’ve had your fill of heavy dark furniture, wooden floors and Murano chandeliers, the Charming House DD.724 Hotel is the perfect antidote.
The facilities
DD724 refers to the boutique hotel’s location in the popular Dorsoduro area (The ‘Charming House’ part of its name is slowly being dropped from use). An ongoing argument with neighbours means that the owner cannot put up any signs to direct you to the boutique hotel, so take a map or you’ll find yourself tramping back and forth between the Peggy Guggenheim and the Accademia Bridge.
The only aspect of DD724 that is ‘traditional’ is the wooden beams in some of the rooms, and views of the canal in others. Other than this the boutique hotel is unique in every way. Owner Chiara Bocchini and designer Mauro Mazzolini have brought together experience from previous boutique hotels in Milan and Rome to create this lively modern design hotel. The muted colours of tan, chocolate brown provide a soft backdrop to works of modern Italian artists, photographers and lighting designers.
A bulbous red lamp in the small reception area on the ground floor hints at what can be found on the floor above. More bizarre lamps, objets d’art, photographs with a twist on the usual views of Venice. The intimate breakfast area is lined with books on travel and art for guests to peruse, and breakfast is cooked for each guest individually.
The rooms
The seven bedrooms at this boutique hotel are unfussy, very comfortable and each is equipped with liquid crystal televisions and internet access. The same soft colours used in the rest of the boutique hotel, the attention to lighting design, and the luxurious bathrooms make these rooms into calm, cosy havens rarely found in Venice. Though similar in style, each room has its own special appeal: a view of the Peggy Guggenheim garden, a canal view, wooden beamed ceiling or a small fireplace.
Star rating:
Address: Dorsoduro 724, Venice 30123, Italy
View rooms
Address: Dorsoduro 724, Venice 30123, Italy
Booking info
Arrival:
Sun 7 Sep 2008
Departure: Mon 8 Sep 2008
No. adults: 2
Departure: Mon 8 Sep 2008
No. adults: 2
Check Availability
Who stays here
This hotel is great for fans of minimalist decor.
Come for
- A welcome breath of contemporary cool
- Location: not swamped by tourists
- The Peggy Guggenheim, just along the canal
Not suitable for
- Traditionalists in search of a hotel with faded grandeur
Children
There is a special room with more space ideal for families, and extra beds and baby cots can be added to most rooms as well. Babysitting services can be provided upon request.
Eating in
There is no restaurant, but the hotel does cater for breakfast and light lunches.
