Pensione Guerrato

Perhaps a bit of a cheapo splurge, the lovingly-run Guerrato offers 20 spotless rooms furnished with antiques and curiosities from far-flung travels. Throw in a location near the Rialto Bridge, and you’ve got one popular place.

Hailed by guidebooks and legions of past guests, the Pensione Guerrato (also known as the Albergo Guerrato) won us over years ago. It’s a friendly sort of place, with character to spare. It’s also a feast for the eyes, offering the most fabulous and flamboyant collection of Venetian antiques and curiosities we've seen outside a museum. Your eyes will have more than they bargained for.

The building is a palace (and ex-convent) dating back to 1287. Brother owners Piero and Roberto have packed the great hall with furnishings, creating a look that’s part grandmother’s house and part Dolce & Gabbana ad. There are original Venetian floors, Oriental carpets, tchotchke shelves and lots of Murano madness. ("It's called 'kitsch'," Piero explained to us.)

The Guerrato’s 20 guest rooms feature parquet floors, Fortuny lamps, antique furniture and pieces brought back from the brothers’ travels to Bali. Rooms are equipped with a telephone and air conditioning, but no TV. (Piero added, “Bring a book, please.”) Free Wi-Fi works throughout the albergo but is best in the lobby.

Bathrooms vary in size, although some are quite large, with double-wide showers. Almost all rooms are equipped with private bath, although the three cheapest rooms at the albergo share a bath and go for €110 a night, depending on the season. It's not the cheapest, but it's a good value in the high season and those looking to splurge on an extra-special treat would not go wrong here.

A large buffet breakfast is included in the room rate and served in a spacious breakfast room under an impressive Murano-glass chandelier.

The Guerrato is located mere minutes from the Rialto Bridge, as well as the erbaria—a food market by day and strip of hipster “aperitivo” by night.