Hotel Palazzina Grassi is "Starck-ly different"
01/12/2010
Philippe Stark, the French designer, has put his modern stamp on a 16th Century building next to the Palazzo Grassi on the Grand Canal:
The Palazzina Grassi is a new five-star member of the Design Hotels group, which describes the hotel as being "Starck-ly different" from the competition.
Here's an abridged version of the official Design Hotels press release:
New York, January 11, 2010 - Hidden behind a door in Venice marked only by a bull’s head is a magical world of mirrors, glass sculptures, rare books and vintage objects: Philippe Starck’s first Italian hotel, and Design Hotels member Palazzina Grassi.
The renowned French designer was chosen by Emanuele Garosci, hotelier and former rally driver, to create an imaginative five-star hotel with 16 bedrooms and 6 apartment suites, a cosy private members-only club and a stunning restaurant.
Designed to make guests feel ‘temporarily Venetian’ this 16th century former residence captures the sophisticated charm, magic and beauty of the city. Traditional Italian touches such as exposed bricks mix with dazzling contemporary design, including transparent glass wardrobes and 9 custom-made Murano glass works by the artist Aristide Najean. The result is a luxurious hotel on the Canal Grande that retains the aura and charm of an aristocratic Venetian home.
The Experience
For an authentic Venetian
experience Palazzina Grassi offers guests a pick-up service in its 1960’s Celli
boat. Check-in happens on-board and guests are dropped off directly at the
hotel’s private pier. Those who prefer a quieter approach by land can use the
hotel’s street entrance opposite the Canal Grande.
However guests choose to arrive, they are welcomed with a glass of prosecco or wine from the Veneto. Once inside, guests will immediately feel comfortable in the surroundings and be indulged by an attentive team of staff, on hand to help with everything from dinners at antique dealers’ homes to Venetian cookery classes.
Breakfast can be
served anytime and anywhere in the hotel, allowing guests to enjoy the varied
interior of multicoloured hallways in bright red to acid almond green, huge rugs
in vivid colours and exposed Venetian bricks salvaged from an old farmstead.
Throughout the hotel visitors will find valuable books, antique pieces, mahogany
and unique artworks.
The Rooms
Overlooking Venice’s
colourful rooftops, the guest rooms offer large backlit mirrors, warm lighting,
floors in Venetian wood, bathrooms using natural stone and bespoke pieces of
furniture including dressing tables.
In the apartment suites, beds are situated
in the centre of the room and are surrounded by transparent glass wardrobes,
soft rugs and coffee tables made of steel and moonstone onyx. Instead of the
usual directory of guest services, visitors can take inspiration from a ‘list of
vices’ advising them to eat well, drink, read and surrender to their
passions.
The Food & Drink
The ground floor PG’s
restaurant and bar offers a masterpiece in art and design in the form of two
seven-metre long monolith high dinner tables, one made of marble and the other
of mirrored glass. Mahogany wood panelling on the walls, soft lighting and
unique pieces of Venetian glass complete the magical environment. Diners have a
view of the show kitchen and bar, a modern reinterpretation of the traditional
Venetian ‘cicchetteria’ or ‘osteria’, a popular meeting place where people can
gather for conversation and local fare.
The Location
Set in the heart of Venice
next to Palazzo Grassi on Canal Grande, Palazzina Grassi is housed in a 2,800
square metre 16th century building, former home to aristocrats. The hotel is
just a short walk from the main museums and art galleries, including the
Guggenheim Collection and the Galleria dell’Accademia.
For more facts about the hotel, or to book a room, visit www.designhotels.com/palazzinagrassi.
Photo: Design hotels.
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