Venice palazzo turned 5-key B&B right on the magnificent Canal Grande
Cima Rosa / Venezia / Italy
I love Venice! It is one of the most magnificent, unique places in the world. The key to any Venice visit (in order to feel the same love and excitement that I do) is to time your visit. Venice should be avoided in Summer, if you are not planning to spend your days on the beaches on Lido. This is the period where tourist ”en masse” descend on this town making it difficult to move around freely, but rather feeling like a sheep in a too small pen. Come here in March or April, or October for that matter, and the story is totally different. Spring comes early and Autumn late to this part of the world which makes for a perfect set up for your visit and best of all, there are much fewer tourists around.
And when coming to Venice, if you like me, appreciate smaller, more intimate hotels with a relaxed, friendly vibe, this hotel will be perfect for you. Behold, this is the Cima Rosa.
Cima Rosa is 15th century palazzo that is sitting right on the Canal Grande, in the calm Santa Croce district, a short walk from the train station. This hotel, or B&B to be more exact, opened in 2012 and has been created by of Daniele Vallot and his American wife, Brittany Hymore. Vallot is an architect and Hymore interior designer. A perfect professional match if you are in the hotel business. And the result of this is clearly visible in Cima Rosa.
The design is warm and welcoming with calm, subtle hues, exposed beams, original terrazzo floors and old furniture that has been restored by Hymore herself. Three things that really stand out to be at this hotel is the service, which is relaxed and affable. The second thing is the walled courtyard where you can spend lazy days in the sun. And the third thing is the location, where you have the lifeline of Venice, the Canal Grande right outside your window. I spent so much time hanging out through the window of our room, enjoying the busy canal traffic.
M waiting at the harbour for the boat to Venice.
Yes, it is very convenient to arrive to Venice by train, but nothing beats arriving on the water, slowly gliding along the grand palazzos lining the Canal Grande.
After criss-crossing through the narrow alleys we have arrived at the entrance of Cima Rosa.
You enter Cima Rosa through this secluded, walled garden, laden with age-worn marble features.
When entering the building, there is a passage that leads out to the canal, where boats can moar.
The warm lounge, right next to the reception.
Heading up to our room.
Doesn’t get more Venice than this.
Farini is a great place with several outlets around town, if you just want to pop in for a coffee, a slice of pizza or an invigorating Aperol Spritz.
Sun is setting over Venice. This is actually taken from our window of the Canal Grande.
Venice is its most magical self after dark, when all the day-trippers have left town.
Our walking early in the morning before breakfast. Love to see cities as the wake up.
The local fish market is in full swing early in the morning.
Back at the hotel, just in time for breakfast…
…and this is the view from the hotel breakfast room.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are looking for a homely, relaxed hotel with a warm feeling, both when referring to the interior style and the service. This to me, is the perfect hotel when visiting Venice. A retreat where you can recharge after having spent hours exploring the city.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is that it is actually right on the Canal Grande. I don’t know how much time I spent just sitting in our room with the windows open taking in all the action, movement and drama on the canal. The sleek taxi boats, the slow gondolas, the vaporettos filled with commuters heading to work, a police boat on a mission… You get the drift. it is rare to have a simpler type of hotel right on the canal. It is usually the really luxurious places that have front row, so this hotel is really unique in that sense.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to leave the common thoroughfares and head to the Venice less trodden. That is where you will have your most magical Venice moments - for sure! Just start to walk and see where you will end up. This is my favorite pastime when visiting this magnificent place.
If you like this hotel you might also like:
Il Palazzo Experimental // Venice, Italy
Novecento // Venice, Italy
Indigo // Venice, Italy
