Oltre Il Giardino

17 Best Hotels in Venice

"Once you’ve located the door to this six-room boutique hotel near the Frari basilica (no easy feat), you’ll be amazed what lies beyond. Oltre il Giardino looks more like a country villa than a city hostelry, and the windows and doors opening onto the lovely patch of exuberant greenery provide a great contrast with oh-so-urban Venice outside. There are six options in the main house: doubles, junior suites, and suites. Colors in these stylish, pared-back rooms are neutral, with the occasional splash of something startling. The villa that houses the hotel was the home of Alma Mahler, widow of the composer Gustav Mahler, in the 1920s. Lounge in the garden between sightseeing stints, and you'll soon realize why Oltre il Giardino is so handy. This isn’t a hotel-heavy area, but there are restaurants and bars aplenty, and both the train station and the main sights are also within reach." - Anne Hanley