Sure, you could splash out and stay at The Belmont Hotel Cipriani or roam like George and Amal Clooney and stay at the Gritti Palace, but for us, nothing beats the Corte Di Gabriella.

The owner, Gian Luca, is the beating heart of the hotel. He serves breakfast in style and runs the hotel with great passion.

Location

Corte di Gabriela is hidden, yet central, tucked down an alleyway but no more than 15 minutes on foot from St Mark’s or the Rialto. The Sant’Angelo ferry stop is near the hotel, though there is one bridge that visitors will need to haul luggage over. It’s worth it, I promise.

Style and Character

If you are weary of the omnipresent brocade-and-Murano-glass combo, take note: the Corte di Gabriela successfully blends very contemporary décor to a historic framework. The outcome is a stylish look with startling colours, great textures, and some serious pieces of designer furniture.

Undeniably chic, Corte di Gabriela is also intimate and welcoming. Special thought is given to the environment, with state-of-the-art private wastewater treatment, and luxurious brushed cotton sheets washed in-house with biodegradable laundry products.

Rooms

The 11 individually decorated rooms and suites vary in size and outlook but are uniformly stylish and comfortably large.

Two self-catering suites—with coolly minimalist décor—are located around the corner from the main hotel, and enjoy the same excellent services as the hotel itself, including breakfast. One even boasts access to a delightful courtyard.

On the main site, the second floor Junior suite has a frescoed ceiling and a tiny terrace overlooking a canal; this is the room we love to book. Another on the first floor has a circular bed. All rooms have slick, good-sized bathrooms with wonderfully soft towels and bathrobes.

Service and Facilities

Nothing is too much trouble for the efficient, knowledgeable staff of Corte di Gabriela. They gladly book tours and restaurants, organize gondola rides and get you to the airport in style.

The central courtyard, with Paola Navone for EMU furniture, rests beneath a huge wisteria vine and is a lovely place to relax. Should you wish to take a load off indoors, try the embracing living room, complete with grand piano. Unusually for a small hotel in Venice, there is a lift.

Food and Drink

Breakfast is a highlight of the day for Corte guests, with a wonderful choice of goodies including freshly home-baked pastries, delicious Sicilian jams, excellent coffee and scrumptious omelettes and crepes whipped up on the spot to order by owner Gian Luca. Breakfast is served in the wisteria-covered courtyard in the warmer months.

There’s no shortage of good restaurants in the vicinity, which lead to us eating out each night. Buon appetito!

With few rooms, and incredible service, the hotel can book up fast. If Venice, Italy is on your list, reserve this oasis well in advance.