The Charming House: Live Like A Local

Writer: Madeline Rosene @madelinerosene

Photos: Courtesy of The Charming House

Lei è un appassionato d’arte? Do you love art? The traveling artist or fine art enthusiast would do well to stay at The Charming House in Venice, Italy. The word “charming” connotes quaint and maybe even old-fashioned, but don’t be fooled by the name. This apartment-style hotel offers the chance to live like a local but luxuriously in very modern updated rooms. The Charming House is for the traveler who wants to feel like a resident
and truly immerse themselves in a neighborhood. There are actually three divisions of The Charming House: DD724, faces the picturesque Venice canal, Rio Torreselle, and is next to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Punta della Dogana, the pre-19th century art Gallerie dell’Accademia, and the most important museum area in all of Venice, DD694, a short walk from Charming House DD724 also faces onto Rio Torreselle and the romantic Campiello Barbaro, in the tranquil district of Dorsoduro, a stone’s throw from the Guggenheim Collection and François Pinault Collection at Punta della Dogana, and iQs, design suite apartments in the very heart of Venice, between the Rialto and St. Mark’s Square, just a short distance from the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Apartments at the IQS location are equipped with kitchenettes and cooking supplies so you can cook your own Italian dinners after visiting the market. With shag carpets, lime green geometrically shaped chairs, minimalistic art, and Kenzo accents, the vibe of the hotel, while quiet and non-pretentious, is a little fun and funky.
The LEFAIR Magazine team was lucky enough to stay at two of the three locations: DD724 and iQs. The DD724 35mqs suite is a good size for a couple traveling through Venice for a night or two. It’s easy to feel at home in the walk-up apartment style hotel rooms. We caught the morning sunrise through our, (okay, there is no better word to describe them), CHARMING windows with green shutters that open out to the streets of Venice. The room and view may want to sing to passersby below Disney Princess-style (we did). The iQs suite was quite a bit larger, at 75mqs. The lobby at iQs has a private walk-down to load into a gondola in the lagoon. This special feature is great for gliding around Venice.

In the lobby, located in DD724 location are bright red arm-restless chairs, shadeless lamps and water-color style wallpaper. There is a butterfly motif throughout, with black and white paper butterflies dotting the walls and one resting on the lobby’s table next to a book about Italian artist, Fabrizio Plessi. It is in this lobby where you will also find breakfast served in the morning — traditional eggs, bacon, and cappuccino, along with an assortment of teas and fruits. It’s the decor that sets the breakfast apart — bright orange plates, cups and feathery napkin holders… On our final morning, we woke up in the iQs suite and one of the staff members, Tania, surprised our team with an assortment of fresh croissants.

An unlined book lies open for guests to leave their comments. Some are written in Italian and some in English.

“Charming and so much more. Thank you for making our stay in Venice simply the best.”

“Bravo! Kind and caring to details and special requests. We thank you for a delightful stay in Venice.”

“So nice as usual”

“Charming House is beautiful and feels like home. The people make it even better.”