Hotels Magazine November 2023
Ready for my close up: Cinematic design in Venice
The entrance of Avani Rio Novo Venice, which opened in September 2023.
Much has been made about Venice as a doomed city, destined for centuries to sink beneath the waves of rising tides. On the contrary, the “City of Bridges” is still alive and well, but that aura of suspense fits perfectly with a city known for the dramatic.
The setting for countless movies, artworks and plays, as well as home to the legendary Venice International Film Festival and Venice Biennale, the lagoon on the Adriatic can add Avani Rio Novo Venice to its roster of cinematic landmarks.
A lifestyle brand from the Thailand-based Minor Hotels, Avani Hotels and Resorts recently expanded across Europe and Latin America. Avani Rio Novo Venice—its fourth European property and second in Italy— harmonizes accommodation with Venice’s unique culture like none other.
“Venice is such a unique and attractive place, it offers a perfect blend of history and contemporary living, which aligns well with Avani’s brand ethos of balance and lifestyle,” said Stefano Botteon, general manager of Avani Rio Novo Venice. “Moreover, Venice is renowned for its art and cinema heritage, making it a fitting location for our cinematic-themed hotel. The city’s status as a global cultural and artistic hub, coupled with its accessibility to major transportation hubs, makes it an ideal choice for travelers seeking unique experiences.”
Built in the Dorsoduro neighborhood, Venice’s highest geographic point, Avani Rio Novo Venice first opened in September 2023 as a renovation of the former NH Hotel. Venetian architecture firm AI Progetti curated the hotel’s design in the Italian Rationalist style with clean lines, geometric shapes and a sweeping glass façade—a blend of the historic landscape of ancient canals, cobblestone streets and bridges around it and Avani’s contemporary tastes.
A short drive from Marco Polo Airport and within walking distance of world-class art galleries, such as Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the 144-room hotel draws inspiration directly from Venice’s history of seductive culture.
“Venice is a city with a rich artistic, culinary and cinematic heritage, and we wanted our guests to immerse themselves in this unique atmosphere,” said Botteon. “We’ve carefully curated experiences and amenities that cater to the desires of remote professionals and millennial-minded travelers. The location of the hotel in Dorsoduro, with its authentic eateries, local bars and cultural treasures, ensures that our guests can experience the true essence of Venice during their stay.” Excursions, like a trip to a Murano glass-blowing workshop or the atelier of Augusto Carta Alta—one of the city’s premier mask makers and a craftsman renowned for his work in films like “50 Shades of Gray” and the television series “Gossip Girl”—let guests interact with the city like few other hotels.
Built in the Dorsoduro neighborhood, Venice’s highest geographic point, Avani Rio Novo Venice first opened in September 2023 as a renovation of the former NH Hotel. Venetian architecture firm AI Progetti curated the hotel’s design in the Italian Rationalist style with clean lines, geometric shapes and a sweeping glass façade—a blend of the historic landscape of ancient canals, cobblestone streets and bridges around it and Avani’s contemporary tastes.
A short drive from Marco Polo Airport and within walking distance of world-class art galleries, such as Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the 144-room hotel draws inspiration directly from Venice’s history of seductive culture.
“Venice is a city with a rich artistic, culinary and cinematic heritage, and we wanted our guests to immerse themselves in this unique atmosphere,” said Botteon. “We’ve carefully curated experiences and amenities that cater to the desires of remote professionals and millennial-minded travelers. The location of the hotel in Dorsoduro, with its authentic eateries, local bars and cultural treasures, ensures that our guests can experience the true essence of Venice during their stay.” Excursions, like a trip to a Murano glass-blowing workshop or the atelier of Augusto Carta Alta—one of the city’s premier mask makers and a craftsman renowned for his work in films like “50 Shades of Gray” and the television series “Gossip Girl”—let guests interact with the city like few other hotels.
A CINEPHILE’S DREAM
But make no mistake, movies are the star of this show. Cinema memorabilia peppers the common areas and guestrooms, portraits of stars hang on the hallways and a library with a curated selection of books and magazines on all aspects of film sits on the ground floor. At 8 Millimetri Cicchetti & Wine, the in-house restaurant, guests can enjoy an espresso or grab-and-go snacks beside Marcello Mastriani and Monica Vitti.
The hotel’s dedicated event spaces are named Fellini, Visconti, Rosellini and De Sica titans of Italian cinema— and are able to be adjusted into a variety of configurations ranging from boardrooms to banquet halls to accommodate up to 130 guests. Of course, each can be transformed into private movie theaters, should the occasion call for it.
“What sets it apart from other Avani properties is its cinematic theme, celebrating
Italian cinema throughout the hotel,” said Botteon. “The cinematic theme and emphasis on Italian cinema also tie back to the city’s cultural identity.”
ON DECK
Minor Hotels operates more than 530 hotels in 56 countries around the world, with a strong presence in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and advancing further into the Western hemisphere. This past June, Avani made its debut in Spain with the 101-room Avani Alonso Martinez Madrid Hotel, as well as the 65-room Avani Palazzo Moscova Milan Hotel.
Later this year, it will make its German debut with Avani Frankfurt City Hotel, a 256-room conversion, and next spring it will open its first property in the Netherlands with the 163-room Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Hotel.
Despite its increasing global expansion, Minor Hotels—and in particular Avani Hotels & Resorts—remains committed to keeping its properties rooted in the landscape and communities around them. It makes for not only a more rewarding guest experience, but creates a deeper connection with locals, too, said Botteon.
“Ensuring that our hotel aligns with the city’s unique character while meeting our brand standards required careful planning and design,” he said. “However, we believe that overcoming these challenges resulted in a property that seamlessly blends with the city’s historic surroundings and offers a one-of-a-kind experience to our guests.”