L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 20 L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017 I have the most vivid memo- ries of my first time in Venice. I was 16 and already an art lover: a tad peculiar for a kid that age, really, now that I think about it as an adult. Venice, ethereal Venice: to me, then, a city carved in water, made of the blues, violets and milky greys of Monet's paintings. She was all that I had expect- ed.Those colors, those textures I learnt to love in Monet were all there, along with sounds, scents and the centuries-long memories of life, history and love exuding from her churches, her calli, her palaces. In a place like Venice, you can't help but thinking what walls could tell you, if they only had a voice. Walking into the Ca' Pisani hotel, in the city's artistic ses- tiere di Dorsoduro, is a bit like listening to the city speak about herself: the history of her late Medieval and Renaissance years, embodied by the palace itself. That of her exploits in the early 20 th century, represented by the art decorating each of Ca' Pisani's rooms and walls. That of her people, like the Serandei family, owners of the hotel, who made of transforming Venice into everyone's home their job and pleasure for more than one hundred years. We had the luck to chat about Ca' Pisani and Venice with Marianna Serandei, owner and director of a hotel which is much more than that, really. It's a Venetian home to its guests, a mirror of the city's history, and a place to meet, know and love that magically mesmerizing real- ity that Venice is. Tell us something about the hotel and its history: this is a 700 year old building, who were its owners and when did it become a hotel? The Ca' Pisani hotel is locat- ed in a typical 14 th century palace that the Serandei family, my family, bought in 1997. We have been running another his- torical Venice hotel, the Saturnia & International, for more than a century: it's just a stone's throw from Piazza San Marco. Before we bought it, Ca' Pisani was home to Sacaim, one of Venice's most important restoration companies. We have invested a lot of time and money in its renovation, which lasted from 1998 to 2000, and involved the work of three architects and several craftsmen from both Venice and its inland. What's the link between Ca' Pisani and its city, Venice? It is incredibly strong. The palace still sports all of its origi- nal features: its exposed beams ceilings, its terrazzo alla Veneziana floors and its façade, with beautiful Gothic three-mul- lioned windows, are only some examples of it. Thanks to the work of archi- tect Canovaro, the Art Déco atmosphere and furnishing of the hotel exalt the pure venezianità of the building's original archi- tecture, creating a balance where both styles complement and val- orize each other. Ca'Pisani is a "design hotel:" what does that mean? We wanted to create some- thing truly unique and original, an out-of-the-ordinary hotel, able to offer a different view and experience of hospitality. In the case of Ca' Pisani, Art Déco and modern technology go hand in hand. Every little partic- ular of the hotel's interior design FRANCESCA BEZZONE Stepping back in time and beauty: the Ca'Pisani hotel in Venice is the result of a meticulous research: we strove to make sure every detail was at the right place, even with our room keys, shaped like a fish, the symbol of our hotel and made in precious ebony. The artistic juxtaposition of Renaissance architecture and an interior design more orient- ed towards the early 20 th cen- tury, towards the Art Déco and Futurism, is certainly a mark of originality for Ca'Pisani. How did you chose this special coupling? Because my family has always been fond of Futurism and its art, and because we want- ed to bring together our passion for it with our century long experience in the world of hospi- tality. All to give an entirely new experience of this marvellous city to our guests. And then, we shouldn't forget Ca' Pisani is in the sestiere di Dorsoduro, the most artistically active area of the city, home to the Gallerie dell'Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Pinault Collection. Ca' Pisani is also known for its restaurant, La Rivista, that keeps in line, aesthetically, with the hotel itself. What strikes visitors the most here? The first thing our visitors notice when walking in is cer- tainly Fortunato Depero's mar- vellous tempera painting that gave the restaurant its name. It's part of our own family' s private art collection and we're proud of being able to welcome our guests in such a beautiful man- ner. More in general, the mod- ern, comfortable look of the place, with its leather sofas and custom-made solid walnut furni- ture, strikes positively and invites people to relax and socialize. When it comes to food, we've recently changed our menu and we're now proposing a selection of light snacks, ideal to try while taking a break from exploring Venice's "calli" and the many art galleries of the area. What's the most common comment or consideration your visitors make after a stay at the Ca'Pisani? Our guests say they love how, when staying with us, they feel like at home, but are also spoiled with all the comforts and ser- vices of a four star-superior hotel, including a fabulous sun deck to relax in the sun while enjoying the Venice skyline, and a steam bath, perfect to unwind at the end of the day. And of course, they praise our staff, always professional and kind, and our hotel's style: they all leave us saying they can't wait to come back! ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES The Ca' Pisani hotel is hosted in a 700 year old historical building in the very heart of Venice Marianna Serandrei together with her sister Greta-Zoe and two brothers Kim and Gianni, operates two family-owned hotels, Saturnia and Ca' Pisani, both in the heart of Venice

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