Inside Venice’s iconic Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca Island

An elegant oasis of serenity and style, Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice has a special place in Belmond history as the first hotel in its global portfolio of iconic properties, trains and river cruises. A destination within a destination, Belmond Hotel Cipriani is a mere five minutes from St Mark’s Square by private wooden motorboat, allowing guests the opportunity to explore the city’s charms before retreating to the tip of Giudecca Island on the edge of Venice’s picturesque lagoon.

While the canals and winding streets of the Queen of the Adriatic may be filled with tourists, Belmond Hotel Cipriani is a secluded retreat where guests can relax like nowhere else in Venice. Here you can slip into one of the finest swimming pools in Europe and the only Olympic-sized pool in central Venice and float in filtered seawater as attendants stand by with fresh towels and cool drinks. Treat your taste buds in the famed hotel restaurants, including the award-winning Oro Restaurant, and be pampered by a range of indulgent spa treatments in the Casanova Wellness Centre.

In 1956 the hotel opened its doors under Giuseppe Cipriani’s management and became a friendly competitor to Harry’s Bar which Cipriani also continued to run. The hotel quickly gained a reputation for its wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, impeccable service and superbly prepared food and was such a success that a decade later adjoining land was purchased and the hotel was expanded to include new rooms and the largest swimming pool in Venice, 600 square metres of filtered seawater surrounded by manicured gardens. Long before George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin’s stay at Belmond Hotel Cipriani during their wedding festivities made international news, the Cipriani was a favourite amongst movie and rock stars, presidents, prime ministers and royalty.

Guests can choose to stay in either the hotel’s main building with vistas of the lagoon, or in the former 15th-century palace, the Palazzo Vendramin, with panoramic views of St Mark’s Square. The two buildings are joined by an ancient courtyard and green walkway where roses, jasmine and wisteria bloom and where herbs including mint, rosemary and sage grow before appearing on dishes and in drinks in the hotel’s restaurants and bars.

The recently renovated rooms and suites are light and fresh, combining traditional and contemporary details with unique Venetian touches. The 95 accommodations range from charming single rooms with king-sized beds and marble bathrooms, through double rooms and junior suites to suites, many with balconies or terraces. Here guests can start their day with a complimentary full breakfast and end it looking out into a beautiful peaceful night with unforgettable views over the lagoon, gardens or St Mark’s Square.

The 40-seat Oro Restaurant is headed by Executive Chef Davide Bisetto where the menu reinterprets the hotel’s historic gastronomic tradition using the finest Italian ingredients. The wine list includes more than 1,000 esteemed labels, while the décor by one of the pioneers of restaurant design, Adam D Tihany, includes a domed gold leaf ceiling with a stunning handmade Murano glass chandelier. The informal and yet undeniably glamorous Cip’s Club Restaurant has long held an international reputation as one of the top spots in Venice.

The hotel has three bars, each with its own distinct personality. Enoteca La Via della Sete allows guests to savour a traditional Venetian wine cellar’s atmosphere with a selection of the best Italian and global wines paired with small Italian cicchetti snacks. The Gabbiano Bar is where guests can watch the sun set as they sway to live piano music, while the San Giorgio Bar opens in the evening for aperitifs or after dinner drinks beside the lagoon.

A stay at Belmond Hotel Cipriani as part of Belmond’s signature Venice Simplon-Orient Express journey from London to Venice, allows train lovers to combine the romance of Venice with the romance of rail. While many guests may dream of living at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani year-round, the hotel is open for just seven months each year, from the end of March until the beginning of November.

For further information, visit belmond.com