"For the contemporary without compromising the classic, book one of the rooms at the whimsical Palazzo Venart. Reached through a hard-to-find courtyard off the Grand Canal, it’s filled with modern statues that underscore Venice’s remarkable history and fabulous art scene. Once you arrive, you'll feel like you're in your very own (and very private) palazzo. And though it's on the back end of the Grand Canal, it's incredibly hushed—totally different from other lodgings in the area. Fellow guests are well-heeled with exquisite taste, and it's likely not their first time to the city. Such is the insider feel of Venart; so you can rest assured that you've chosen well. Rooms are seriously luxurious, with a 'Casanova's lair' sort of vibe: tactile wallpaper, four-poster beds draped in velvet, modern artwork. The Michelin-starred GLAM restaurant does upscale pastas and salads. Food is note-perfect, but you should only do dinner here one night; go somewhere with more atmosphere for the rest of your time. You can take tea in the garden and cocktails in the salon, too. It's the grandness of the grande dames, with none of the dust." - Sarah James, Anne Hanley
