Ca' di Dio
Hotel · Castello ·
Historic Venetian palace with modern design, courtyard, and canal views
Information
Riva Ca' di Dio, 2183, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Get directions
Historic Venetian palace with modern design, courtyard, and canal views
Riva Ca' di Dio, 2183, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Get directions
"In what I consider one of Venice’s best locations—close to St. Mark’s yet anchored by the Arsenale and Via Garibaldi amid students and locals—this five‑star is a perfect springboard to a more authentic city, from morning strolls to the Giardini to wandering Castello’s sleepy backstreets. Technically the city’s oldest hotel, its 13th‑century origins as a pilgrims’ hostel (and later lives as a women’s refuge and an old people’s home) are lovingly preserved by VRetreats, while Patricia Urquiola’s refresh recasts Murano glass and Rubelli textiles into sleek, sculptural forms that harmonize with antique details. As impeccably mannered staff explained while I roamed the tranquil courtyard and terrazzo‑lined corridors, the sense of history runs deep. Under Chef Carmine Amarante, the tasting menu spans northern Italian traditions—the silky Genovese‑style tortello was a standout—and was one of the most perfectly executed meals I’ve had in Venice in recent memory. Open less than four years, it already feels like a hidden gem." - Liam Hess
"Blending 13th-century origins with modern comforts, this hotel showcases a 2021 renovation that respects its historic bones while updating the experience for contemporary travelers. Suites with water views and a location within a ten-minute walk of St. Mark's Square make it an appealing mix of heritage and convenience." - The MICHELIN Guide
"This sestiere, which takes its name from an old fortress that is no longer standing, occupies the 'tail' of fish-shaped Venice. This is the most maritime of Venice’s districts, home to the Arsenale and Museo Navale, and is also the quietest and the most residential of the city’s neighborhoods." - The MICHELIN Guide
"With a prime spot on the St. Mark’s Basin waterfront, right in front of the Arsenale ferry terminal, no bridges or steps are required to reach the boutique Ca’di Dio. A water taxi can deliver you directly to the hotel’s dock. From the ferry stop, it’s mere steps before reaching the jewel box hotel lounge-meets-lobby. Plush velvet and leather seating and colorful Murano glass are sprinkled about, all courtesy of Spanish designer Patrica Urquiola, who executed a unique retro-modern makeover when the VRetreats hotel opened in 2021. There are 66 rooms, some with lagoon views, others with wooden beam ceilings, all with refined art deco-style glass lighting. In a previous life, the bolthole was a medieval pilgrim's hostel. There are two traditional Altana-raised roof terraces and three internal courtyards, the largest of which is a dreamy, leafy space. If the weather permits, don’t miss breakfast—organic eggs, perfect bacon, and fresh juice—or aperitivo hour in the courtyard, possibly one of the most peaceful spots in the crowd-loving city. —Lauren Burvill" - Sarah James, Anne Hanley
"In Venice, this Small Luxury Hotels property stocks its boutique with bags and accessories sourced from the Rio Terà Social Cooperative, linking its retail offering to a social program that provides job training to prison inmates and those recently released from incarceration." - Chadner Navarro Chadner Navarro Chadner Navarro is a writer and editor who specializes in travel, food, design, and culture. He was born in Manila, grew up in New Jersey, and travels often. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
