Hotel Gritti Palace

The word “iconic” has lost some of its impact through repetition, but there’s no better way to describe Venice’s opulent Hotel Gritti Palace. The location could hardly be more auspicious, right on the Grand Canal, across from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the distinctive domes of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. And the palazzo itself is certainly not without distinction — it was built in the 15th century, and was the home of the Doge Gritti for whom it’s named.

In addition to its setting and its history, what keeps it in the conversation for 21st-century travelers is the way its centuries-old atmosphere has been kept up to date. The Doge himself would recognize the décor, as would such eminent former guests as W. Somerset Maugham and Ernest Hemingway. But what’s perhaps most remarkable about the palace’s interiors is that they seem untouched by the passage of time.

Many of the rooms and suites look out over the neighboring Campo Santa Maria del Giglio or the Grand Canal itself; at all levels they’re rich with texture and detail, full of antique furnishings and Murano glass. All are different, and while the top-of-the-line suites are the largest and most lavish, there’s nothing here that falls short of luxurious.

Gritti Palace’s restaurants are as iconic as the hotel itself; most famous among them is the seasonal Gritti Terrace, whose tables stand inches from the waters of the Grand Canal. And while many a luxury hotel features a cooking class or two, few reach the heights of the Gritti Epicurean School, where the hotel’s chef leads classes or tastings in a dedicated teaching kitchen.