Hotel Metropole, Venice

Location

Located just a stone's throw from Piazza San Marco, the hotel boasts vistas over the lagoon and San Giorgio Island; it also faces the Biennale and the tranquil, lesser-known side of Venice. The lagoon-facing Riva degli Schiavoni promenade is popular, but this is easily forgotten once you step off the Riva and into the Metropole's deliciously dark and decadent interior. There’s a private water entrance if you’re arriving by taxi.

Wonderfully quirky, the Metropole has been in the Beggiato family for generations, and the museum-standard family curiosity collections – of antique corkscrews, fans and nutcrackers among other items – are displayed in halls and corridors. Décor harks back to Venice’s historic trading relations with the east, especially in the tenebrous ground-floor lounge with its comfortable corners and smoky mirrored ceiling.

Accommodation

The Metropole's rooms and suites are a showcase of unique antiques, rich fabrics, and Venetian velvets, with Oriental and Art Deco touches. Offering 59 rooms and 7 suites, many with stunning lagoon and San Giorgio Island views, the hotel provides a luxurious and individual experience. Exclusive Suites are ideal for special occasions, while Junior Suites offer bright, spacious living areas. Notable are Suite 401 (Deco style) and Suite 403 (period and contemporary blend), both with private "altana" terraces and Turkish baths. The Damasco Suite, with Oriental décor, Bevilacqua fabrics and Fortuny chandeliers, features lagoon views, a Turkish bath and a mosaic bathtub.

Dining

A pleasant buffet breakfast awaits in the hotel’s charming Citrus garden courtyard, weather permitting. Considering the rarity of finding a garden in Venice, this hidden green haven offers a unique and refreshing start to the day in Venice. The Oriental bar and bistro is open throughout the day, serving light meals and snacks, as well as some truly excellent cocktails.

Facilities

Between the months of October and March, Hotel Metropole hosts unique afternoon tea rituals featuring rare blends of leaf tea with a special ceremony, accompanied by mini pastries. Elsewhere, envisioned by Gloria Beggiato, the hotel's spa transforms ancient garden columns into the heart of an opulent Oriental hammam. The dramatic hot water pool, gilded and softly lit, provides an immersive experience of hydro-massage and fragrant steam.