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EXPERIENCES
Recent travel memoirs of Venice from the ladies at Quality Travel
Belmond Hotel Cipriani
in Venice is one of the most
iconic hotels in the world. This is where the story of
sophistication and luxury all began, hidden in the
exclusivity of Giudecca Island, and just short boat ride
from Piazza San Marco.
Giudecca was once full of gardens which provided a
peaceful retreat for the Venetian nobility, and the
Belmond Hotel Cipriani fulfils a similar function for
modern-day visitors wishing to escape the crowded
main island. There are a variety of rooms overlooking
the gardens or lagoon, and two 15th-century
palazzos house some truly stunning
suites - the ultimate rooms
with a view.
We were lucky enough to stay for one night, arriving by
way of the hotels private Riva, which made us feel like
one of the many film stars who have stayed here. Once
inside, there is an air of finesse and refinement, it feels
luxuriously elegant with lots of Venetian touches.
Facilities include an Olympic size swimming pool with
filtered seawater – a welcome haven after a long days’
sightseeing. There is a clay tennis court - the only one
in central Venice, a spa and on-site exclusive boutiques.
The hotel even has its own vineyard, which still
produces wine for the Belmond Hotel Cipriani's cellars.
The restaurants offer formal and informal dining, either
indoors or outdoors on terraces or in the gardens where
we simply had to sample a world famous Bellini before
heading out for dinner.
Needless to say, our 24 hours went all too quickly and
left us wanting to return to this unique property as
soon as possible!