Hotel Cipriani

 This renowned luxury property has a very exclusive feel, enhanced by its secluded position at the tip of Giudecca Island, almost entirely isolated from its surroundings except by water.

This location affords delightful views of the lagoon, Venice skyline and in particular the island and church of San Giorgio Maggiore from its restaurant and poolside terraces and many rooms.

Its extensive facilities include 3 restaurants and bars and a spa and wellness centre, while the Italian garden is, for a hotel, particularly sizeable.

Interiors are beautifully furnished, but have less of the traditional Venetian flavour than most of the city's other top class options. A children's club makes it a family choice, and a continual water shuttle means San Marco is only 5-mins away.

Exterior

4-storey terracotta property in 3 wings, opened in 1958; many rooms have a balcony or terrace, some overlooking the gardens, others the lagoon, and it has its own landing stage.

16 suites are in the 15th-century Palazzo Vendramin annexe on the Giudecca quayside, linked by a courtyard to the main building.

Property type: Hotel

Storeys: 4

Built Year: 1400s/1958

Interior

The smart and fairly spacious lobby has a chequered floor with a couple of chairs around a fireplace. Adjacent is a bright marble-floored lounge with period furniture and large windows looking across the garden towards the lagoon.

Display cases line meandering corridors, along which are several exclusive boutiques. The elegant Fortuny restaurant is decorated in pastel colour with silk drapes, amber mirrors and Murano chandeliers.

Its tiled terrace looks across the lagoon towards the Lido, and its adjacent piano bar is a little plainer but still stylish, decorated in hues of gold and brown. The more informal Gabbiano bar, facing the pool, has a 1930's ambience, with armchairs, sofas and again a piano.

On the quayside of Giudecca, the intimate and informal Cip's Club restaurant has a terrace with views across to St. Mark's.

Rooms: 95

Grounds

A neat lawn with flower beds and an ornamental fountain borders the entrance from the landing stage, with the restaurant terrace to one side. The salt water swimming pool is set in substantial grounds with views towards the San Giorgio Maggiore church.

Slightly raised above its tiled terrace, it's surrounded by loungers and bordered by immaculate lawns, shrubs and hedges, with a bar in one corner.

To the rear of the hotel lies a surprising large garden with trellised pathways, statues, ornamental fountains and several wooden benches, all bordered by tall trees. There is even a herb garden for use in the kitchen.

Location

Area Type: On the eastern tip of the island of Giudecca looking towards San Giorgio Maggiore church and the lagoon. It has an anonymous street entrance from the quayside, which hardly matters as almost everyone arrives by boat. There are only a couple of restaurants nearby; Zitelle vaporetto 200 yds.

Facilities