Marking the fourth exclusive luxury Italian hotel under VOIhotels’ new brand, VRetreats, Ca’ di Dio has opened its doors to Venice.

The 65-key Venetian property joins a selection of the brand’s existing hotels in Rome and Taormina, aligning with plans to expand its portfolio to 12 properties within the next three years.

The building has been standing since the 13th Century, originally a pilgrim hostel accommodating medieval travellers en route to Jerusalem. However, following decades as a women’s refuge and more recently, a retirement home, the building has been transformed into a luxury hotel designed by Patricia Urquiola.

Inspired by Venetian Gothic houses with a contemporary twist, the hotel’s design features polished limestone flooring under preserved mural paintings and an original stone well in one of the three courtyards. In contrast, the old chapel is now a lavish hotel reception featuring a 14,000-piece Murano glass chandelier and decorative wood panelling using locally-sourced materials.

Spread across three floors, the hotel offers 57 suites and nine deluxe rooms. While some of the suites provide views of the lagoon and the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, others offer access to the roof terrace overlooking the San Marco Basin.

Amenities include an on-site spa and wellness area, providing an array of luxury treatments, as well as a range of F&B options situated in the hotel’s courtyards. Alchemia Bar and Essentia Restaurant can be best enjoyed during the summer months, whereas restaurant VERO provides both indoor and outdoor space overlooking the lagoon. The cuisine draws from the setting, serving typical Venetian dishes using seasonal ingredients grown in one of the hotel’s internal courtyards.

Situated on Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice’s main waterway, the property is less than a five minute walk from St Mark’s Square, the city’s principal piazza. Private mooring also offers direct docking to boats and water taxis, providing access to the rest of the city via its extensive canal systems.