Some places hold a certain power of evocation. Their names conjure up an idea; their very utterance calls to the soul.
The definitive example of this is bound up in two potent syllables: Venice.
Think of the amphibious city and your mind projects images of gliding gondolas, festive masks and grand Gothic palazzos rising from the waves. The canals that vein the city seem to circulate it with the very essence of romance.
If the mood of a city is summoned up by its name, then it takes its form in its features. Frequently praised for the beauty and complexity of its challenging architecture, Venice’s romantic qualities are expressed artfully in the Ca Maria Adele. This charming hotel, located in the contemporary art neighbourhood of Dorsoduro, manages to recreate in microcosm and build on the values for which Venice is known throughout the world.
Each room in the Ca Maria Adele is titled, and also granted a corresponding mood, design, and dress code. These descriptions are not empty claims. The astounding thing about this hotel is the fact that it manages to subtly yet unmistakeably fulfil these emotive promises. The décor of each room and area of the hotel breezes through these nuanced sensations with a consummate verve and finesse: from the entrance, which promises “willing expectation” and substantiates that with a wistful looking threshold – replete, of course, with a dock for one’s gondola – to the glorious lounge/living room, built to invoke “Venetian revery” with its ornately carved furniture and fireplaces, mottled golden walls and plush finishings.
The hotel is an astounding feat of design – even by Venice’s high standards. Every furnishing is a statement piece; every step you take envelopes you into the alluring ambiance that seeps from the walls of this seductive place. The concept bedrooms continue the theme of sensuous luxury but add an element of hedonism – and more than a hint of decadence. The Sala del Doge (or Doge’s room), for example, is coated in regal red upholstery from wall to wall. A huge gilded mirror sits imperiously on the wall directly opposite the imposing king size bed. The suggested dress code for this room? “Sumptuous nudity”. When the backdrop is this ornate, clothes seem redundant…
The concept rooms, deluxe quarters and larger suites at the Ca Maria Adele are variously and uniquely designed to suit all tastes. The Sala Noire, for instance, themes itself on black pearl; whereas the Sala del Camino engenders a warm glow with its gentle cream and pastel finish. Sala Giugi, the breakfast room, is a intimate and stylish room. Brocade designs throughout and a sheer, draping curtain give the room an airy, carefree feel as you cibare, or take your breakfast.
The twist comes with in the form of a penchant for the exotic. Having proven its mastery of traditional Venetian design, the Ca Maria Adele also features a number of salons featuring Turkish, North African and Oriental styles. From the balmy terazza, which channels the soothing indolence of a Moroccan riyadh, to the Sala Orientale, which embodies the splendour of the Ming dynasty with its floral motif and beautiful vases, there is truly something for everyone.
Those with the desire to explore outside the bedroom will also be fully satisfied. Everything, according to the management, is less than three minutes away from the Ca Maria Adele. The Dorsoduro area itself includes the Zattere waterfront, as well as the Chiesa della Salute area, which has always been regarded as one of the most exclusive districts of Venice, now dotted with a series of stunning, contemporary-style residential buildings. The Dorsoduro is also known as the contemporary art neighbourhood – so be sure to investigate the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, the Francois Pinault Collection (located in Punta della Dogana) and the dynamic museum dedicated to Emilio Vedova hosted in the Magazzini del Sale.
First published in Beyond Indulgence: http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Indulgence-Nick-Artsruni/dp/1905904304
Address: Sestiere Dorsoduro, 111, 30123 Venezia, Italy
Telephone: +39 041 520 3078
E-mail: info@camariaadele.it
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