Madama Venice

About Madama Venice

Venice is unusual for all the obvious reasons, but often unremarked upon is just how busy and urban it feels — with its surface area as limited as it is, there’s not a lot of green space, or quiet space in general. Madama Venice, in the Cannaregio district on the north side of town, is an exception: a stylish and luxurious little eight-suite hotel for which the phrase “garden retreat” is entirely appropriate. Like the best Italian boutique hotels it blends an appropriate reverence for its architectural history with a regard for contemporary design and an appreciation for the contrasts the two create. The mood, as a result, combines the dark fantasy of historical Venice with the cleanly composed spaces of the 21st century — all inspired, in fact, by Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities. The suites are all different, some facing the canal, others the hotel’s central garden, and at this level, you can trust that they’re all splendid. Service is professional and personal, even though the vibe is residential; breakfast and a summertime aperitif in the garden are the extent of Madama’s social gatherings. The hotel’s concierges are the key to the city — they’ll help you see the obvious sights, if you wish, as well as a side of Venice that’s not so easy for outsiders to see.

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