Whimsical and playful Venice palazzo with a hint of luxury
Il Palazzo Experimental / Venice / Italy
Ever since my first visit to Venice with my family when I was 9 I have been so fascinated with ”La Serenissima”. It is such a surreal place, almost like it was once created by a kid with all the ornate palaces, the narrow canals, all the boats and the many bridges and alleys, making it feel maze-like. So in a way it makes total sense that Il Palazzo Experimental has a whimsical, playful almost childish look. This hotel is merely reflecting the town where it is located.
This French brand, runs 7 hotels in London, Paris, Menorca, New York, Verbier, Ibiza and this one, located in the Dorsoduro neighborhood, right by the Canal della Giudecca. It is a location slightly off the beaten tourist path in Venice, but where many locals both live and hang out which makes this hotel even more attractive in my eyes.
Il Palazzo Experimental has 32 rooms with a design that stands out among Venice’s otherwise very grand looking hotels. The mastermind behind this is Dorothée Meilichzon. She has gone to town with this hotel and I am here for it.
There are some design features that stand out to me: natural light, sumptuous candy colors, marble features, terrazzo floors, stripes and arches. The arch shape is everywhere in the hotel. It comes back in the bed headboards, the sofa in the lobby, the entrance door to the hotel and beyond. Another thing that keeps coming back is the rich natural light and how it is brought into the design, not the least on the first floor and the stunning Byzantine inspired windows facing the canal. And then there is the color scheme, a playful candy colored, richness that together with the stripes, adds a kind of circus-like element.
All in all, this feels like an excellent example of a modern Venice hotel made right. It feels luxurious without being exclusive. Dramatic without being gimmicky. A hotel where the past is honored and the future is present.
When you exit the airport, you are right by the water where the taxi boats await to whisk you across the lagoon to Venice.
It is a magical feeling to cruise along the Canal Grande and take in all the stunning palazzos.
Welcome to Il Palazzo Experimentale! It is located a little off the beaten tourist track, on the Zattere where the locals come to hang.
The reception sets the playful tone from the get go.
Right next to the reception is this good looking hotel shop.
The lobby area leading to the back garden.
Some glass art. This is Venice after all.
Arches, arches. Everywhere the arch shape keeps coming back accompanied by stripes and rich colors.
My room was on the first floor And the first floor was dominated by these Byzantine inspired windows showcasing the Giudecca Canal right outside.
This is probably the best looking map of the rooms I’ve ever seen.
The whimsical design is everywhere you look. These striped doors give me a beach hotel vibe.
My room with the quirky wooden head board, paired with striped, soft arches.
There is so much design to take in. It is funny how it is dramatic but still subtle at the same time. Like the bed side table with the marble table top.
Playful, whimsical and colorful.
If there is anything I always hope to have in my room it’s a coffee machine. I always wake up so early so love to be able to have a cup of morning coffee before breakfast starts.
The combo of poisonous green and marble in the bathroom is so fab.
The shower in my room. The color of the tiles agains the green is perfect.
The sun is slowly setting over Venice.
And when the sun sets, the best way to enjoy it is with an Aperol Spritz in by the water.
To walk around Venice after dark is nothing but magical.
The restaurant of the hotel where the breakfast is served.
Breakfast is served á la carte. The avocado toasts where just as delicious as they look.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…like whimsical hotels that dares to be different and you like your hotel to have a unique design with a lot of color and just the slightest hint of luxury. If you are looking to stay in a hotel in a more residential part of Venice, you should choose this one.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the truly unique design. Everywhere you turn there is some quirky design feature that catches your eye. Like the stripe hotel room doors, the green carpet carved into the terrazzo floors and the XX.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…to be very selective with what time you choose to visit. Venice is popular. Like very popular and to avoid the worst crowds and also time it with some good weather suitable to explore this wonderfully unique place, I would recommend March or October. The alleys and squares will be less crowded, the air crisp and the temp on the cooler side.
If you like this hotel you might also like…
Les Deux Gares, Paris, France
The Standard, London, Great Britain
Concepciò, Palma, Mallorca, Spain
