Ca’ Pisani Boutique Design Hotel

"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?Ca’ Pisani, an homage to Art Deco with some beautiful period pieces, presents a stylish change from the chandelier-and-velvet Venetian norm. The 29-room hotel broke the traditional mode in 2000, when it became the city’s first design hotel. There’s more competition now, but it still holds its own. What's the backstory?Ca’ Pisani belongs to a Venetian hotelier family. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?With dark polished wood, lots of mirrors, some exquisite original Art Deco pieces, Ca’ Pisani is beautifully designed and maintained. Rooms vary considerably in size, so check descriptions carefully. There are family rooms and a junior suite. The duplex rooms are comfortable but have steep steps between floors. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?Wi-fi is free and fast. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?Next door (and attached) to Ca’ Pisani is La Rivista, a pleasant restaurant with Futurist-style décor and an interesting menu of light dishes, with an emphasis on local produce. Breakfast consists of a fine spread of fresh goodies. Guests seeking the perfect romantic setting can book exclusive use of T-Rooftop 12.24, the hotel's terrace. And the service?Friendly but discreet. What type of travelers will you find here?A location near some of the city’s leading galleries makes it popular with an art-loving crowd. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?The Dorsoduro district is less trafficked than others, despite the fact that it’s home to a host of galleries, from the old master-packed Accademia to the Guggenheim collection and the ultra-contemporary Punta della Dogana. Ca’ Pisani is perfectly placed between them, and there’s bridge-free access from here to two vaporetto stops. Any other hotel features worth noting?The hotel is pet-friendly and family-friendly, and it has a steam room. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?This hotel is well appointed and perfectly located for serious gallery trawling." - Anne Hanley