Our favorite romantic stays and hidden gems
Madama Garden Retreat is an enchanting 4* hotel hidden away on the banks of the Canal San Felice, in the peaceful Cannaregio district of Venice. It's a place of great beauty and tranquility, reserved for adults only. Breakfast in the tree-lined garden just off the canal is one of our best memories of Venice so far.
Reservation
We recommend booking your stay at Madama Garden Retreat via Booking.com, which often offers free cancellation. Send us a message on Instagram if you go, it would make us super happy.
The arrival
Once through the gates, you leave the hustle and bustle of the city and enter a mysterious, secret canal-side garden. The contrast is striking. You discover a lush oasis of flowers and trees.
Mara and Lorenzo's welcome is attentive, discreet and very human. Mara, a passionate hostess, takes care of every detail and is always available to advise you on the best addresses or organize your visits.
A poetic address
Located in the former Palazzo Antelmi, the hotel's interior is inspired by Italian writer Italo Calvino's poetic novel Invisible Cities: each suite evokes a page from an imaginary travel journal, with enchanting colors, velvet curtains, Venetian furniture, and contemporary touches.
The rooms
Here are the 9 rooms:
1 • Dahlia • Photo • 🪶
2 • Peony • Photo • 🦜
3 • Iris • Photo • 💧
4 • Mauve • Photo • 🌺
5 • Tulip • Photo • 🦋
6 • Aster • Photo • 🌉
7 • Tuberose • Photo • 🌹
8 • Camelia • Photo • 🌸
9 • Chartreuse • Photo • 🌿
Depending on the room you choose, you will enjoy the following amenities: king-size four-poster bed, view of the water and/or garden, private entrance, bathroom with walk-in shower, Diptyque toiletries (among our favorites!), bathrobes, soft towels, hairdryer, living room, coffee machine with capsules provided, minibar, Smart TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and safe.
Breakfast
In the morning, wake up to the smell of Mara's freshly brewed coffee. A la carte breakfast is served daily between 8:30 and 10:30 am. If the weather is fine, you can enjoy it in the garden, under the wisteria-covered pergola overlooking the canal. The setting is magical and the service by your hosts in person is excellent. In case of rain, the dining room is also very pleasant and beautifully decorated.
On the menu: fresh seasonal fruit (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, passion fruit, melon, mango, grapes, kiwi or pineapple, for example), dried fruit (walnuts, almonds, etc.), a selection of warm pastries such as divine pistachio croissants, homemade cake, fresh bread, jams, sweet tarts, yoghurt, avocado toast with egg, salmon, fresh fruit juice, tasty coffee, tea or other hot beverages.
Location
Madama Garden Retreat is located in the Cannaregio district, one of the most authentic and peaceful areas of Venice. You have direct access to the Canal Rio di Noale via a private jetty, making it easy to arrive and depart by water cab, without having to cross the city on foot with your luggage. You're just a 12-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge and 18 minutes from St. Mark's Square.
Cannaregio is a lively yet peaceful district, inhabited mainly by Venetians, far from the tourist crowds. Here, local life is in full swing, with children off to school, neighbors chatting on the bridges and delivery boats docking in the early hours.
This blog features over 350 romantic and unique destinations in a curated collection. These might include a hidden hotel or a lakeside cabin, for example. We travel about three months a year and negotiate discount codes. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok if you enjoy this content — By Pauline and Sébastien.
Madama Garden Retreat is located in the Cannaregio district, one of the most authentic and peaceful areas of Venice. You have direct access to the Canal Rio di Noale via a private jetty, making it easy to arrive and depart by water cab, without having to cross the city on foot with your luggage. You're just a 12-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge and 18 minutes from St. Mark's Square.
Expect to pay at least €422 per night. Breakfast is optional when booking, but well worth it.
Yes, à la carte breakfast is served daily between 8:30 and 10:30 am. If the weather is fine, you can enjoy it in the garden, under the wisteria-covered pergola overlooking the canal. The setting is magical and the service by your hosts in person is excellent. In case of rain, the dining room is also very pleasant and beautifully decorated. On the menu: fresh seasonal fruit (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, passion fruit, melon, mango, grapes, kiwi or pineapple, for example), dried fruit (walnuts, almonds...), a selection of still-warm pastries such as divine pistachio croissants, homemade cake, fresh bread, jams, sweet tarts, yoghurt, avocado toast with egg, salmon, fresh fruit juice, tasty coffee, tea or other hot beverage.
Check-in starts at 2pm and check-out can be as late as 11am. Very generous opening hours!
The hotel offers 9 rooms. All named after a flower: Dhalia, Paeonia, Iris, Mauve, Tulip, Aster, Tuberose, Camelia and finally Chartreuse!
Yes, the hotel boasts a superb green garden and a terrace where you can enjoy breakfast or read a book in the shade of the wisteria.
The hotel doesn't have its own restaurant, but there are many in the area, such as Al Cantinon, just a 6-minute walk away. Situated in a secluded spot along a small canal, the dishes here are tasty, especially the spaghetti with squid ink!
No, pets are not allowed.
