Photographed by Karl Balas, courtesy of Il Palazzo Experimental
Once a naval headquarters in the 1930s, Il Palazzo has been transformed into a hotel in Venice built around a shared space for guests and locals.
Stepping into the halls of Il Palazzo Experimental in Venice, Italy, it would only be fitting to assume that the building was once a palace. Not only because its centuries-old beams and Gothic windows give it away, but also because it really is a converted Renaissance palace: the former headquarters of Italy’s Naval Transport Society.
Nestled along the canals of the Dorsoduro district, Il Palazzo Experimental is located on Fondamenta Zattere. It was designed by Paris-based designer Dorothée Meilichzon and offers views stretching across the Giudecca Canal, with a total of 32 rooms and a restaurant.
In an interview with Vogue Philippines, Romée De Goriainoff, one of the three founders of Experimental alongside Olivier Bon and Pierre-Charles Cros, says that starting as a cocktail bar with his co-founders shaped their approach to hospitality, making them pay closer attention to detail. “It’s all about crafting, you know, because obviously, you’re serving one product and people are here for [just] a very short time,” he says. This principle further developed when Xavier Padovani joined as the fourth founder in 2010. If anything, Goriainoff emphasizes that it pushes them beyond offering just a comfortable room to sleep in.
On top of that, standing in a city considered a premier destination for luxury travel due to its sinking city architecture, Goriainoff thinks that what makes Il Palazzo unique is their guest-centric approach. “I would say that, contrary to more luxury hotels, I think a good 50 percent of the people in our restaurant and bar are not from the hotel, they’re from the city. So when you’re [in the] hotel, you’re engaging [with] the city or the local place you’re in.”
From the outside, the palazzo carries a limestone-and-brick facade, with Experimental’s signature flag fluttering in the wind. With centuries of history to consider, the founders focused on reinventing it as a modern hotel while still respecting the city’s architectural heritage. Goriainoff adds that when they approach culturally loaded spaces, they always strive to find a balance where they do not have to force an “ultra contemporary” atmosphere, but instead explore what it means to be a Venetian palazzo in the 21st century.
This goal has been achieved through their partnership with Dorothée Meilichzon, whose collaboration, Goriainoff describes, has “evolved like an old mature couple.” Having worked together on different projects and phases, they came up with the idea of creating a relevant design. “Because if it’s just about doing something very beautiful exactly the same way it was in the 19th century, that’s not interesting for us. You [wouldn’t] prefer to go to places that haven’t changed.”
Even in a place of luxury, he shares that sticking to offering what it feels like to be a local in Venice is something the management prioritizes. They believe in the principle that regardless of how expensive and beautiful the room you’re sleeping in is, that doesn’t guarantee a feeling of belonging. “[If] you’re sitting in your hotel [asking yourself] ‘Why am I alone?’ and then you [realize] that you’re only with people that are either too rich, or too old, or too boring, whereas what we like [is to offer] this mix. It’s very important for us. As you say, [being a] social hub is great.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Il Palazzo Experimental?
Il Palazzo Experimental is a boutique hotel in Venice, Italy, located along Fondamenta Zattere in the Dorsoduro district. The property is housed inside a converted Renaissance palace that once served as the headquarters of Italy’s Naval Transport Society.
How many rooms does Il Palazzo Experimental have?
Il Palazzo Experimental has 32 rooms, alongside an in-house restaurant and bar.
Where is Il Palazzo Experimental located?
Il Palazzo Experimental Hotel is located on Fondamenta Zattere in Venice’s Dorsoduro district, with views overlooking the Giudecca Canal.
