Pesione Seguso

The Pensione Seguso is one of those Venetian guesthouses that are becoming increasingly rare. Family-run for generations, it is situated in Dorsoduro, not far from the Zattere, and has retained a surprising amount of its original character. Antique furniture, heavy curtains, patterned fabrics, Venetian floors, paintings and antiques still sit together here as naturally as they presumably did decades ago. The beauty of it is that it feels harmonious and lived-in, not like a nostalgic hotel concept. The rooms are simple, some with shared bathrooms, but they feature high ceilings, lovely proportions and, depending on their location, a wonderful view over the rooftops or out onto the canal. We particularly like the communal areas with their armchairs, small tables and old lamps – Venice as it was known in a bygone era. The prices, too, are surprisingly reasonable for this location and for Venice. Of course, you have to be willing to trade comfort and perfection for atmosphere, but that’s precisely where the charm lies. Places like the Pensione Seguso are increasingly disappearing or being extensively renovated and then marketed at commensurate prices. It’s all the more wonderful that this wonderfully quirky Venetian classic still exists.