A beautiful 17th-century villa set in a private garden steps from the Accademia gallery in Venice. One of Venice's most charming hotels, with individually decorated rooms, a lovely garden terrace, and an authentic non-tourist neighborhood location.
Hotel Accademia Villa Maravege occupies a 17th-century villa and its extensive private garden in the Dorsoduro sestiere of Venice, directly on the Rio San Trovaso canal and a two-minute walk from the Gallerie dell'Accademia — Venice's foremost art museum. The villa was constructed around 1660 and served at various points as the residence of the Russian diplomatic mission to Venice, lending the property a particular historic character. Today it operates as a 27-room hotel under family management, maintaining a warm and unhurried atmosphere that sets it apart from larger and more corporate Venetian properties.
The rooms are individually decorated in classic Venetian style: original terrazzo floors in many rooms, hand-painted lacquered furniture, damask and silk fabrics, antique mirrors, and wrought-iron bedsteads give the interiors a genuine period character. Several rooms look directly onto the Rio San Trovaso canal; others face the private garden. The garden — with wisteria-draped pergolas, potted citrus trees, stone seating areas, and a small breakfast terrace — is one of the hotel's defining amenities. Such private outdoor green space is extraordinarily rare in the Venetian lagoon and has been a celebrated feature of the property for generations.
The hotel does not have an on-site restaurant but is positioned in one of Venice's best neighbourhoods for authentic local dining. The surrounding Dorsoduro streets are home to excellent osterie and bacari including Cantinone già Schiavi (one of Venice's most celebrated wine-and-cicchetti bars, a short walk away) and Osteria alla Bifora, both known for natural wines and traditional Venetian small plates. The Zattere promenade on the southern waterfront is a five-minute walk and ideal for morning coffee and pastries.
The Accademia vaporetto stop connects the hotel rapidly to the train station (10 minutes), Piazza San Marco (5 minutes by vaporetto), and the Rialto. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a 5-minute walk; the Punta della Dogana contemporary museum is 10 minutes. The hotel has been family-managed for several generations.
Amenities
- garden terrace
- wifi
- air conditioning
- concierge
Location
Dorsoduro, 1058, 30123 Venezia VE
45.4315, 12.3283 View on map
Highlights
- 17th-century villa with a rare and extensive private garden in central Dorsoduro
- Individually decorated rooms with original terrazzo floors and Venetian period furnishings
- Steps from the Gallerie dell'Accademia and 5 minutes from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
- Authentic residential Dorsoduro location with excellent local bacari and osterie nearby
- Family-managed for several generations with a warm, personal service character
Tips for visiting
- Request a garden-facing room or one overlooking Rio San Trovaso for the most atmospheric setting in this part of Venice
- The garden terrace is the highlight of breakfast in warm months — arrive early to secure an outdoor table
- Cantinone già Schiavi, a five-minute walk from the hotel, is one of Venice's best cicchetti-and-wine bars and ideal for a pre-dinner snack
- The Accademia vaporetto stop is two minutes on foot, making the whole city very accessible without extensive walking
- Book at least several weeks ahead for summer stays — the 27-room scale means the hotel fills quickly from June through September
Accessibility
The 17th-century villa has a lift serving the upper floors, though some original architectural features — low ceilings in parts, narrow corridors — reduce ease of mobility in sections of the building. The private garden is accessible from the ground floor. Dorsoduro's streets are typical of Venice: narrow calli, bridges with steps, and no car access. Guests with specific mobility requirements should contact the hotel before booking to discuss which rooms are most accessible.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Hotel Accademia have a restaurant?
The hotel does not have an on-site restaurant. However, the Dorsoduro neighbourhood surrounding the hotel has some of Venice's best local osterie and bacari within a short walk, offering traditional Venetian cuisine and wine at neighbourhood prices.
What is the private garden like?
The private garden features wisteria-covered pergolas, potted citrus trees, stone seating areas, and a breakfast terrace — an extremely rare amenity in central Venice. It is accessible to all hotel guests and is open through the spring, summer, and autumn months.
How far is Hotel Accademia from Piazza San Marco?
The Accademia vaporetto stop is two minutes on foot from the hotel. From there, Piazza San Marco is approximately 5 minutes by vaporetto, or around 20–25 minutes on foot through Dorsoduro and the San Marco sestiere.
Is the Gallerie dell'Accademia walkable from the hotel?
The museum entrance is approximately a 2-minute walk from the hotel. Advance booking for timed entry is advisable, especially in high season from April through October when queues can be long without a reservation.