Ausonia Hungaria

The bulk of the Venetian tourist trade centers on Venice proper, but the Lido, the barrier island that shields Venice from the Adriatic Sea, is a destination unto itself; it’s home to the film festival, for one, as well as some elegant grand hotels, including the renovated Ausonia Hungaria. The famous Liberty-style façade, dating back to 1907, is still in place, but what’s inside is now an entirely contemporary luxury hotel, complete with modernist-inspired furnishings and décor and all the essential 21st-century comforts.

Its century-old floor plan results in a wide variety of rooms, from the aptly named Cozy Room — still spacious enough for a king bed — to the expansive Amazing Suite. The art pays tribute to the era when Venice was at the height of its powers, while the interior design recalls mid-century modernism at its most utopian.

There’s a spa with an outdoor pool as well as a Thai massage center, plus a private beach, and the island offers golf and horseback riding among its outdoor diversions. A handful of restaurants and bars include The Mode, for upscale modern Italian fare, and 28.5, the rooftop restaurant and lounge with an impressive view of the Lido, the lagoon, and Venice in the distance.