A stay in Venice before the start of the season is a good idea and for me the best time to be in the centre of the city.
The Londra Palace Venezia is the perfect place to open your eyes to Venice, especially the newly renovated rooms (mine was 316).
The Relais&Chateau hotel is right next to St Mark’s at the main vaporetto station, quite central and with a stunning view.
The hotel has many of the fine artisanal details that the city is famous for. Glass vases by Mr Simone Cenedese and bed linen by Rivolta Carmignani. Textiles by Rubelli and the famous Icaro lamps by Fortuny® are used in the new rooms.
What I particularly liked was waking up early, opening the balcony doors and letting in the fresh sea air with a view of San Giorgio Maggiore. Take an early morning walk towards St Mark’s or the other way to the Giardini.
The location is as central as it gets and a sunny spot in the early March sun, especially if you enjoy lunch on the terrace of the L.P.V restaurant, prepared by chef Daniele Galliazzo. I recommend their signature salmon tartare, fritto misto and spaghetti vongole with a chilled glass of sauvignon from the nearby Veneto region.
The staff are extremely friendly and always have a suggestion on how to get the most out of the hotel. For example, an aperitif on the tiny roof terrace to watch the sun set.
The fine details are numerous, such as the hand-made, handcrafted key rings produced by the amazing Fonderia Valese, an ancient foundry founded in 1913 that still uses an ancient moulding technique and is much more beautiful than ordinary key cards.