Maison Matilda Boutique Hotel

Though Venice gets by far the lion’s share of the Veneto’s tourist traffic, just up the road is the city of Treviso, a place whose atmosphere could not be more different from that of its more famous neighbor. And it just so happens that Maison Matilda is perfectly suited to its host city’s low-key charms. Only in Treviso, for example, could a boutique hotel — the first one in town — contain a mere six rooms, right next to the Piazza Duomo, and still remain available, to say nothing of accessible and affordable.

It occupies a 19th-century house, and though it’s been given a contemporary interior-design makeover, it retains much of its historical architecture. This means modern furnishings contrast delightfully with period details, and its five rooms and one suite are all unique. This is no fly-by-night operation, either — its proprietors know the market, and have outfitted its charming rooms with boutique-hotel must-haves like Tivoli bedside radios and Nespresso coffee machines. At its size, you can’t really begrudge Maison Matilda its lack of a restaurant. Anyway, this is Treviso, not Venice — come mealtime, there’s no need to steel yourself to battle the crowds, as there simply aren’t any.