Inside Venice Venice Hotel, ‘as far from a typical “art hotel” as possible‘

The Venice Venice Hotel, housed in the historic Ca’ da Mosto palazzo on Venice’s Grand Canal, is undergoing a significant expansion project. This Byzantine palace, believed to be the oldest structure on the Grand Canal, offers unparalleled views of the Rialto Bridge and has a rich history, having once been home to one of Europe's first hotels, the Campiello del Leon Bianco. Throughout centuries, it hosted notable figures including kings, czars, emperors, Voltaire, Mozart, and Shelley within its frescoed walls. The hotel, which opened in 2022, is the brainchild of Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo, founders of the sneaker brand Golden Goose. Their vision for the Venice Venice Hotel transcends typical hospitality, aiming to integrate art, design, food, and Venetian culture. The couple acquired the palazzo in ten separate pieces over five years, initially as a real estate investment. A historical study revealed the building's past as a significant hotel, leading them to embark on a meticulous five-year restoration process. This involved reinforcing the ornate Byzantine façade and sealing lower-level floors, which had sunken due to rising water levels, to preserve every historical detail. The initial 25 rooms of the hotel, opened in 2022, are individually inspired by various artists or art movements, reflecting Gallo and Rinaldo's extensive art collection and their desire to create a hotel where art is integral to the space, rather than an afterthought. Examples include a canalside suite dedicated to Christo and Jeanne-Claude, featuring original sketches, and an attic room celebrating the Fluxus movement with a looping video of Joseph Beuys' performance art. Another room offers side-by-side soaking tubs for guests to meditate on a John Cage score, and one space is devoted to pieces that debuted at the Venice Biennale, such as Enzo Mari’s 1973 ‘Falce e Martello’. The second phase of the hotel's development, gradually opening in 2023, is even more ambitious. It introduces larger, more elaborate rooms, incorporating masterpiece works from renowned 20th-century artists and site-specific installations by contemporary artists. Romanian artist Victoria Zidaru, for instance, designed the Felix Anima spa's treatment room with woven fabric tubes filled with fragrant herbs and flowers from her farm, creating an immersive, aromatic experience. The hotel also features works by masters such as Jannis Kounellis, with a large 1985 painting from his private collection adorning a suite on the piano nobile, celebrating Arte Povera in a space where Canaletto once painted. The crowning jewels of the expansion will be two waterside suites, each approximately 200 sq m, set to become Venice's largest. One will offer direct water access, functioning as an apartment for extended stays, while the other will feature Venice's only private indoor pool. The owners are currently seeking the perfect artist to curate the pool suite, with David Hockney being a prospective choice. The Venice Venice Hotel stands as a testament to the seamless integration of historical preservation, contemporary art, and luxury hospitality, offering a unique and deeply culturally immersive experience. #Venice #LuxuryHotels #ArtHotels #HistoricalArchitecture #GrandCanal #HotelExpansion #ArtCollection #InteriorDesign #VenetianCulture #Venice #LuxuryHotels #ArtHotels #HistoricalArchitecture #GrandCanal #HotelExpansion #ArtCollection #InteriorDesign #VenetianCulture