Venetian grandeur

A $55 million restoration project of a Luxury Collection Hotel in Venice has been completed. Situated on the picturesque Grand Canal in Venice, the iconic Gritti Palace has finally reopened after a 15 month long restoration project.

The property is steeped in the cultural and artistic history of Venice. The city’s heritage can be viewed in the interior and exterior design of the building and is especially prevalent in the newly restored guest rooms and suites.

Chuck Chewning, Creative Director of Donghia interior design, headed the historic renovation. He said the project was challenging at times because of the property’s location. As Gritti Palace sits on the Grand Canal in Venice it is only accessible by boat and therefore all works had to be carried out by water transport. Despite these difficulties the project was completed successfully in January 2012.

Chuck added:

“The project is extremely important to me as it is one of the most iconic properties in the world. The building has been sensitively restored respecting the culture and history of Venice and was closely followed by the Venice Fine Arts Committee with full approval.

“The property has been fully updated as well as restored, and boasts 21st century luxury and eco standards.”

The property showcases the stunning Club Del Doge Restaurant which backs onto the Grand Canal offering breathtaking views of the scenic city. The interior of the restaurant is homely, warm and celebrates traditional Venetian design, as well as serving up delectable dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The culinary delights created by Executive Chef Daniele Turco include sumptuous risotto dishes, stewed cuttlefish, Chateaubriand with a divine béarnaise sauce as well as mouth-watering desserts. The five star hotel also has its very own cooking school which acts as a forum for tourists to learn all about Venetian cuisine.

The Gritti Epicurean School is a Venetian open kitchen that has been in service since 1975, teaching Venetians and tourists alike the joys of the local cuisine. The hotel also contains the elegant Bar Longhi which serves the “best cocktails in Venice”.

The luxurious Blu Mediterraneo Spa and Library are venues also contained within the newly restored property and are venues designed for hours of endless relaxing and unwinding.

The hotel houses 61 luxurious guest rooms and 21 sumptuous suites that have been influenced by previous guests of the hotel such as Ernest Hemingway, Peggy Guggenheim, Somerset Maugham and Ruskin. Guests can gaze at captivating views from their bedroom windows and in some cases stroll out onto their private balconies.

The spectacular Redentore Terrazza Suite is situated on the upper floor of the palazzo and boasts a 250 square metre rooftop terrace, offering unique views of the whole of Venice. The suite has a private elevator that whisks guests up and down from the hotel’s main lobby to the luxury penthouse.

The terrace features a mini pool and extensive lounge furniture so that guests can socialise in style before venturing inside their impressive living quarters which feature a spacious living room and bedroom space.

The Hemingway Presidential Suite is entitled so because the aforementioned author viewed The Gritti Palace as his home during the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. It is where he composed many passages of his novel “Across the River and into the Trees”.

Tonon S.p.A and Gretchen Alexander Harnischfeger worked alongside Donghia to renovate the beautiful property.

The breathtaking design of the hotel has seen it nominated for a European Hotel Design Award 2013.