Ruggero, Diana e Alessandro Romanelli in the garden of Hotel Flora, 1964.
Alessandro Romanelli with Giuseppe Ungaretti, 1966.
Heiby and Gioele Romanelli with their son Noah. Portrayed by Francesco Barasciutti.
Inside Venice arose from the tradition of hospitality which the Romanelli family have kept for over 40 years. Behind this new enthusiastic project lies above all the desire (indeed felt so strongly as to become a requirement) to offer guests a special welcome and impeccable service.
The Romanelli family's tradition of tourism began in 1964 when Diana Serandrei, born 50 years earlier in what is still today the Hotel Saturnia, opened, together with her husband the Venetian photographer Alessandro Romanelli, the Hotel Flora, a small pension with 15 rooms, opposite their own house.
In time the pension became a standard reference point for visitors from all over the world, and after being expanded into a charming 43-room hotel, was run by their youngest son Ruggero.
The Flora's fame and fortune arose from its loyal client base:many lovers of Venice return year after year with the certainty to find again the same atmosphere and oasis of peace and quiet which characterises this traditional, intimate and exclusive hotel.
The Romanelli family and their staff were always just one step away from their visitors' needs, knowing how to create an atmosphere of trust and thus making guests feel comfortable, pampered and less 'foreign'.
This reputation is well attested in all the best guide books and online hotel sites (Charming Small Hotel Guides Venice e Italy, Karen Brown's Italy Hotels, CondèNast Johansens, Room for romance…) which all note the owners' friendliness and excellent service.
The fame increased:requests arrived daily from all over the world, bookings were made months in advance
In 1992 Gioele began to work with her father Ruggero with the inevitable modernisation necessary for family-run hotels to stay in touch with the march of time and to remain ahead of the competition.
Free internet for guests, Wi-Fi Hotel, music, and constant restructuring to meet updated fire regulations are just some of the latest changes. Finally in 2001, Gioele and Ruggero let loose their imagination and creativity leading to the opening of a new hotel in Venice, the Novecento Boutique Hotel. Long periods of restoration work allowed the pair to search for the furnishings, fabrics and ornaments which distinguish this exclusive hotel of only 9 rooms, characterised by its ethnic chic atmosphere. Many eastern touches evoke the city's historical ties with the Orient, though the predominant inspiration is Fortuny, in harmony with period furniture from the 1900s.
Gioele and his wife Heiby personally supervise the running of the hotel which has already achieved great success. Comments in the visitors' book show that a stay here completes the perfect stay in Venice. The desire in Gioele and Heiby to constantly stay one step ahead led to their creation of an exhibition space, where both local and other artists' works adorn the walls of the hotel.
From all the hoteliers on our, but above all from the Venetians themselves, we have endeavoured to offer you the possibility to enjoy Venice in the best way. Our suggestions, completely personal and unbiased, offer hotels where guests a return to all the comforts and services expected after having experienced the city in its true essence…Inside Venice.