The Gritti Palace

Set in a 15th century palazzo that was once a noble residence on Venice's Grand Canal, Gritti Palace is quite possibly the loveliest spot in Italy’s floating city. Offering a unique Venetian opulence, this luxurious hideaway is the place where culture and history collide. Renown for their passionate approach to luxurious hospitality, Gritti Palace has won many hotel accolades over the years; these include Tripadvisor’s 2018 Travellers Choice Winner, Top 25 Luxury Hotels Italy, and Touring Club Italiano’s Olympus of hospitality 2018. So, if you’re looking for the perfect place to stay on your Venetian getaway, the Gritti Palace may be just the ticket.

Top Tips

• The top reason for staying at the Gritti Palace has to be it’s amazing, jaw-dropping location. The Gritti Palace is on the most eye-catching stretch of the Grand Canal; it looks across the water to Santa Maria della Salute (one of Venice’s greatest churches) and Palazzo Venier dei Leoni (home to the Guggenheim Museum). While the hotel itself is in a quiet square, it’s just moments from Calle Largo XXII Marzo (which is one of the most popular streets of Venice), only 5 minutes from St Mark’s Square and only 8 minutes from Gallerie dell’Accademia. If you’re looking to get further than your feet can take you, the water taxis can pick you up and drop you off right at the hotel’s jetty, or you can hop on a vaporetto (water bus) from the Giglio stop.

• The Gritti Palace houses 61 rooms and 21 suites, each of which are styled differently and decorated with a sumptuous collection of precious antiques, paintings, frescoes, objets d’art and beautiful fabrics. When it comes to choosing a room, it all comes down to how much you’re willing to spend and what views you’re after. Many previous guests have recommended booking any of the canal view rooms or sweets (the best of which being rooms 111, 211, 212, 214, 215, 311, 312, 314 and 315). If you however, have cash to splash, we recommend booking the Terrazza Redentore Suite as it boasts it’s very own private rooftop terrace with Jacuzzi and magnificent views over the Grand Canal and Santa Maria della Salute church.

• No stay at the Gritti Palace is complete without a meal at the hotel’s very own restaurant, Club Del Doge, particularly on the hotel’s floating terrace that overlooks the canal. Nothing says unmatched Venetian luxury than wasting an afternoon or two enjoying an unforgettable gastronomic journey alongside the Canal Grande, watching as the gondolas and vaporettos pass by.

• If you’re planning a visit to Gritti Palace (or even to Venice itself), the best times to do so are during late spring and early summer. This of course, comes with the downside of dealing with hordes of tourists and long lines into museums and other attractions. But not to worry, the privacy that Gritti Palace provides offer you a refuge even in peak tourist season.

• If you’re looking to get a literal taste of Venice, the Gritti Epicurean School let’s you learn exceptional Venetian recipes and discover seasonal products from the Venetian lagoon and savour the culinary creations of Executive Chef Daniele Turco. Impressively, this open kitchen has even hosted the social elite of Venice and international guests for wine tastings, cooking workshops and celebrations over the years.