Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi, Venice

Enjoy lavish interiors at Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi in Venice.

Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi

“It seems you and your friend have been upgraded to a junior suite, Ms Salzman,” said the concierge at the Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi, one of Venice’s most acclaimed 5-star hotels.

The lobby was so luxurious it almost hurt my eyes: gilded armchairs, Michelangelo-styled frescos on the ceiling, and candy-colored Murano glass chandeliers all led to an impressive entrance.

And, in the middle of this sparklingly lobby, were my roommate Nikki and I; two dirty, disheveled Americans in Italy, on the last leg of a 10-day backpacking trip.

Relax on the striking garden terrace at Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi.
Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi

It was as though Christmas had come early, and to top it off, we were now being upgraded to the hotel’s second best room.

“You may have to wait a few hours for the junior suite, unless you would prefer that I place you in a classic suite right away?” the concierge continued. “We’ll wait!” Nikki and I chimed simultaneously, dropping our backpacks with relief.

The concierge, a charming and animated Italian man in his forties, was not at all fazed by our very out of place appearance. In fact, during our stay, all staff members were exceptionally helpful; arranging for our luggage to be brought up to the room while we toured the city, not hesitating to make several dinner recommendations, and treating our room to frequent cleaning and shampoo bottle refills.

Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi is located on the northern part of the island, making it a quiet reprieve from the bustle of St Mark’s Square. There is a smallish dining room adjacent to the lobby, a spa and fitness center, and a stunning garden terrace, best enjoyed during the summer months.

When we finally made it to our upgraded room, we were greeted with floor-to-ceiling windows, with a quaint view of the small canal that passes in front of the hotel. A soft, king-sized bed, aged mirrors, a sofa set and a coffee table sat imposingly in the room. The bathroom came fully equipped with a bath, shower, fantastic bath salts, and creamy gowns and slippers.

Examine exquisite Murano glass chandeliers at the Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi in Venice.
Nicole DiLoretto

Needless to say, the room was absolute heaven for two girls who had just been haggling prices at low-budget hostels in Eastern Europe, but I can also say with certainty that the elegant décor would have impressed even the wealthiest guests.

The crystal cherry on top was the opulent glass chandelier, handcrafted on a nearby island, which has made glass objects sought by collectors and art aficionados all over the world for centuries. Each brightly colored piece of glass looked straight out of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, yet somehow blended perfectly with the Renaissance-style artwork displayed throughout the rest of the decor.

But opulent surroundings need high quality service to earn the 5-star label, and Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi provided both. The next day, the same animated Italian concierge answered all of our innocuous questions (where’s a good place to eat? what’s the cheapest way to get to the airport? how much is a water taxi?) with great enthusiasm.

When he found out that we wanted to see Murano Island, where the secret of glassblowing has been kept for generations, he informed us of a free water taxi and tour to the island, which we gladly accepted.

None of the staff batted an eye when our five travel partners, none of whom were guests at the Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi, came along for the free ride. The tour was informative and included a glassblowing demonstration. Although the Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi water taxi was 30 minutes late for our return journey, the free tour was an unexpected delight.

Relax in the exquisite interiors of Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi.
Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi

To be a fair critic, there were a few blips in the Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi experience. On the northernmost part of the island, the hotel is not, as it advertises, a short walk to St Mark’s Square. It does, however, offer a water taxi service that picks up right outside the front door.

In addition, we discovered that all the rooms are different shapes and sizes, even rooms of the same caliber. While this curious stylistic design creates a more unique hotel experience, it could lead to a hit-or-miss scenario.

Overall, I found Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi to be a balanced high-end experience. I expected the staff to be slightly snooty, but I was spoilt with prompt and exceptional service from staff who were amiable and eager to please.

With countless pieces of valuable Murano glass hanging like Christmas ornaments throughout the hotel, and with rooms exuding elegance, Boscolo Hotel Dei Dogi captures the kind of opulence found in the most famous Venetian paintings.

With this in mind, it makes the perfect romantic base for young couples or for those seeking a holiday of quiet luxury in one of the world’s most celebrated cities.

Hotel Venezia Boscolo Dei Dogi
Calle Larga Piave, 3500
30121 Venice, Italy
Tel: (041) 220 8111.
www.boscolohotels.com
Prices start from €180 for one night’s stay (based on two sharing).