Nolinski Venezia

Housed in Venice’s former stock exchange (a landmarked building from the late 1920s), the Nolinski Venezia brings French flair to one of San Marco’s busiest fashion streets.

At the entrance of the Noliski Venezia, opened in mid-2023, hangs a framed design mood board created by the French team tasked with breathing new life into the landmarked building that once housed the city’s stock exchange. What emerged is a moody-elegant boutique hotel with 43 rooms, including 13 suites, two restaurants and one of the most beautiful little hotel bars, the aptly named Library Cocktail Bar. (The hotel belongs to the same collection as Paris’ Cours de Vosges).

Arriving guests are ushered up the original, beautifully restored, Art Deco staircase to a velvet-clad first floor where an open floorplan, a groovy soundtrack and candles give the reception an intimate, clubby feeling (there’s also an elevator, not always a given in Venetian palazzi). Rooms and suites, on the other hand, are flooded with light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and high ceilings throughout. In some, the bathrooms are larger than the actual rooms, with large bathtubs and rain showers that display a gold-tiled octopus motif, a whimsical nod to Venice’s maritime history and setting.

Clearly a lot of thought has gone into referencing the hotel’s location, but still the overall vibe is more French-chic than old-world Venetian. Maybe it’s the proliferation of blush-pink tea roses, the only flowers displayed throughout (one cannot help but wonder about the logistics involved in getting these quantities here). Or the fact that the hotel shares some of the talent powering its Parisian sister, including the Michelin-starred chef who is overseeing the menus here. The hotel is a fresh and fashionable boutique addition to a city more known for its historic palazzi. Travelers who prefer their hotels with a whiff of theatrical design (think, the Costes in Paris or the Nomad in New York City) will be most happy here.

Even if you are not staying here, a drink at the Library Cocktail Bar is a must. A dreamy-romantic mood prevails, thanks to velvet curtains, perfectly dim lighting and a fantastical ceiling mural created by French artist Simon Buret. The floor-to-ceiling bookcases hold titles covering topics from architecture to high-fashion. The collection throughout the hotel (there are some 4,000 titles) was curated by an independent bookseller with a smart eye and sensibility. Nothing here is for show; you’re invited to peruse and read over cocktails.

Guests, meanwhile, can also access the hotel’s true piece-de-resistance on the top floor: a swimming pool-sized Jacuzzi lined with gold tesserae, inspired by Roman baths and bringing a dose of serious bling to the wellness offerings here (there’re also a single treatment room for massages and facials with Swiss La Colline products). Best of all: the space has cut-out windows on all sides, so no matter where you lounge in the perfectly warm water, you get a 360-degree panorama of Venice, including the Campanile of San Marco that looks close enough to touch.

Couples looking for a fresh and fashionable boutique property in walking distance to the major San Marco sights and with nice amenities, especially the spa. First-time visitors looking for an only-in-Venice vibe will be happier at one of the city’s more historic hotels.