The Hotel overlooking the Grand Canal is located in one of Venice's most charming and atmospheric areas. The Hotel Monaco has majestic views of the Church of Santa Maria della Salute and the island of San Gi orgio. From 1638 the building, originally belonging to the Dandolo family, hosted the first Ridotto Pubblico, a place to which nobility and people from all walks of life (adventurers, courtesans, swindlers, and travelers) would retire for pleasure and intrigue. Giacomo Casanova considered this place the ideal backdrop for his conquests.