Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice

As a private wooden launch slips silently across the shimmering Venetian lagoon, a guest sips a perfectly crafted Bellini, the iconic cocktail created by Giuseppe Cipriani in 1948. The golden glow of sunset casts a warm radiance over the majestic Doge’s Palace, and the serene waterway reflects the timeless grandeur of the city. The boat docks at a private pier on Giudecca Island, where a staff member, immaculately attired in crisp white, greets the guest by name even before their feet touch the polished wooden planks. This seamless arrival is just the beginning of the experience that defines Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice: a rarefied blend of opulent seclusion, impeccable service, and timeless Venetian elegance, located just moments from the vibrant pulse of Venice.

Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice, has been honored with the 2025 Global Recognition Award, solidifying its position as one of the world’s most celebrated luxury retreats. This recognition follows its recent accolade as “Best Hotel in the World” by La Liste, where it garnered a near-perfect score of 99.75 out of 100, surpassing all competitors in a rigorous evaluation. Founded in 1958 by Giuseppe Cipriani, the creator of Harry’s Bar and the inventor of the legendary Bellini, this 96-room sanctuary has captivated global luminaries for over six decades, offering not only unparalleled luxury but an authentic Venetian experience that speaks to the heart of the city’s unique culture and history.

What distinguishes Cipriani is its rare position on the eastern tip of Giudecca Island, offering unrivaled seclusion without sacrificing proximity to Venice’s cultural treasures. With sweeping views spanning the Doge’s Palace, St. Giorgio Church, and the ever-changing light of the lagoon, the hotel offers guests an intimate, breathtaking perspective of Venice—a perspective few ever experience. The property is further defined by its complimentary private boat service. It transports guests across the lagoon to the iconic St. Mark’s Square in just five minutes, offering the perfect fusion of tranquility and access to Venice’s cultural wealth.

Signature Experiences and Venetian Heritage

The living history of Cipriani is perhaps its most enchanting feature—a harmonious blend of authentic Venetian heritage and contemporary opulence that creates an unparalleled guest experience. Spanning the main building and the adjacent 15th-century Palazzo Vendramin, the hotel evokes a place steeped in Venetian tradition. The ancient, flower-lined courtyard that connects the two properties creates an almost magical atmosphere, embodying Venice’s charm and artistic grandeur.

The hotel’s Casanova Gardens—where the legendary lover once courted his paramours—have been meticulously restored. They create a sanctuary for guests with pergolas, neoclassical sculptures, and over 300 species of plants. The gardens also house a vineyard producing Casanova Salso, a wine that captures the lagoon’s saline essence. This wine offers guests a taste of Venice and a historical connection to the city’s romantic past.

Service at Cipriani is intuitive and personalized, elevating the experience to a level of refinement that is almost artful in its attention to detail. Through an innovative concierge program, the hotel tracks guests’ preferences through a digital profile system, allowing staff to surprise guests with thoughtful gestures, such as a returning guest’s favorite Bellini proportions or a forgotten item rediscovered years later. Cipriani’s commitment to personalization extends to its private boat service, where captains monitor international flight arrivals and adjust pick-up times without the guest needing to ask—a subtle yet invaluable touch of true luxury.

Exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences await at Cipriani, such as private, after-hours tours of the Asian Civilisations Museum, a unique partnership with the National Heritage Board, and bespoke cocktail masterclasses at the legendary Long Bar, the birthplace of the Bellini. The hotel’s Olympic-sized swimming pool, the only one in central Venice, became a beloved feature thanks to an architectural mix-up between feet and meters during construction. Pool attendants cater to every whim, offering chilled towels, refreshing drinks, and light meals, all delivered without request, creating an oasis of serenity amidst the dynamic energy of Venice.

Accommodations and Design Excellence

Cipriani’s 96 rooms and suites offer Venetian elegance, blending historical elements with contemporary luxury. Accommodations feature stunning garden or lagoon views, with every room adorned with antique furnishings, marble or parquet floors, and art that reflects Venice’s rich artistic legacy. The property’s crown jewel is the **Palladio Suite**, a breathtaking suite named after the renowned Italian Renaissance architect. This luxurious haven features 180-degree views of the lagoon, floor-to-ceiling windows, a private balcony, and a jasmine-scented terrace with a plunge pool. The suite also boasts its private dock, ensuring complete discretion and privacy, attributes that make it a favorite of A-list celebrities, including George Clooney, who chose the suite as his haven after his Venice wedding in 2014.

Design throughout the hotel honors Venice’s celebrated artistic and architectural history, while providing modern comforts. Murano glass chandeliers—crafted by local artisans—grace the rooms and public spaces, casting a soft, ethereal glow. Sumptuous fabrics by Fortuny and Rubelli—two of Venice’s most storied textile houses—adorn the interiors, creating a rich, inviting atmosphere. Over 2,000 antiques from Italian dealers, including 19th-century retablos and contemporary ceramics, add to the hotel’s sophisticated, lived-in aesthetic.

In-room luxuries continue the Cipriani tradition of excellence. Guests are enveloped in premium linen and a bespoke pillow menu to ensure the perfect rest, while bathrooms are outfitted in Italian marble, with heated floors and custom-blended toiletries. Innovative technology is seamlessly integrated, with discreet controls for lighting, climate, and entertainment, ensuring that modern conveniences are available without disrupting the historic beauty of the space. Twice-daily housekeeping includes thoughtful touches like chilled towels, local delicacies, and evening turndown service, further elevating the guest experience.

Culinary Excellence and Social Spaces

Cipriani’s dining offerings celebrate Venetian cuisine, innovation, and tradition. Oro Restaurant, recently reimagined under the guidance of Chef Vania Ghedini and culinary director Massimo Bottura, holds a coveted Michelin star. The restaurant’s seven-course tasting menu offers a contemporary reinterpretation of Venetian cuisine, with signature dishes such as “Moeche Egg Sauce with Guanciale and Squid Ink” and “Seafood Tortelli,” which is delicately shaped like rose petals and inspired by Moroccan Chebakia. Guests dine under a shimmering golden ceiling, while panoramic views of the lagoon provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable culinary experience.

The hotel’s legendary Gabbiano Bar, birthplace of the Bellini cocktail, remains a vibrant social hub. Here, bartenders still craft the Bellini with the same meticulous care that Giuseppe Cipriani instilled in 1934—fresh white peaches are pressed by hand into a metal chinois to create the perfect base. This attention to detail, coupled with the 68% locally-sourced produce—including rare ingredients like elephant ginger and blue pea blossoms—forms the foundation for Cipriani’s unique cocktail program, where every sip tells a story of the hotel’s heritage.

Throughout the property, luxurious social spaces abound. The Gabbiano Bar serves as a meeting place for intimate gatherings and lively celebrations, while during the Venice Film Festival, it becomes a celebrated venue for filmmakers and celebrities. For those seeking privacy, the hotel offers the opportunity to arrange intimate dinners in secluded areas such as the lush Casanova Gardens or at tables perched over the lagoon, where the only sounds are the gentle lapping of water and the soft murmur of conversation.

Location Advantage and Future Vision

Cipriani’s location on Giudecca Island offers unparalleled views of Venice’s skyline, providing an oasis of tranquility away from the bustling crowds of the city center. The hotel’s complimentary shuttle service ensures that guests have effortless access to Venice’s rich cultural offerings, while returning to a peaceful retreat when desired. For those wishing to explore further, the hotel can arrange private tours to the islands of Murano and Burano, renowned for their glassmaking and lace traditions, or to quieter corners of the lagoon.

The hotel’s Casanova Wellness Centre, named after the famed lover, offers a selection of indulgent treatments using local ingredients and traditions. The signature Casanova Garden Ritual, incorporating botanicals grown on-site, allows guests to connect with the property’s rich history while experiencing unparalleled relaxation. With the only Olympic-sized swimming pool in central Venice—heated with filtered seawater—the wellness offerings perfectly complement Venice’s intoxicating cultural experiences.

As Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice moves forward, its commitment to evolving while honoring its legacy remains steadfast. Sustainability initiatives are continually refined, and the culinary program grows ever more refined. The 2025 Global Recognition Award reaffirms what guests have long known: Cipriani is a timeless masterpiece, where luxury, history, and modernity coalesce into an experience that cannot be replicated.