Belmond Hotel Cipriani

The lavish lagoon-side Belmond Hotel Cipriani is the cream-of-the-crop, even among luxury hotels. Opened in the late-1950s, it was an instant hit, eventually adding rooms into a neighboring 15th century palace, Palazzo Vendramin. Since then it's played host to celebrity guests, among them George Clooney, who stayed there during his wedding. Elegant Venetian decor pairs classic details -- rich wood furniture, handmade Murano-glass chandeliers, and emerald-green glass sculptures -- with modern service and amenities. The lush green gardens are magnificently manicured, featuring arched walkways and central Venice's only Olympic-sized swimming pool. The hotel's Michelin-star restaurant, which opened in 2014, features a domed gold-leaf ceiling. Plus, there are plenty of dining spots right along the lagoon, providing views of St. Mark's Square. All this luxury comes at a steep price, which is why clientele tend to be well-heeled couples and families on spendy vacations.

The Belmond Hotel Cipriani is situated on the island of Giudecca, across the lagoon from St. Mark’s Square. The quiet, low-tourist area appeals to some guests, but there are few restaurants and shops on the island itself. That said, the hotel offers a free, 24-hour boat service that runs about every 15 minutes directly from the hotel's private dock to St. Mark's Square in five-minutes. The hotel also offers airport shuttle service via shuttle bus or water taxi, each of which take about 30 minutes. Water taxi service to Santa Lucia Train Station takes about 20 minutes. Parking is available as well. 

Refined Venetian decor meets modern amenities in the Belmond Hotel Cipriani's individually styled rooms. While their details vary, rooms pile on the opulence with embellishments like ornate gold-framed mirrors, huge paintings, floor-to-ceiling windows, 18th-century styled upholstered chairs, and chandelier lighting. In some suites, decor is downright palatial (indeed, 15 of the rooms occupy a 15th-century palace) with mural ceilings or column accents. Even the most compact Single Room has a king-size bed and marble bathroom. Many rooms have balconies or terraces facing the lagoon or garden and bathrooms with walk-in showers or separate showers and tubs.

Rooms are air-conditioned and include generously stocked minibars, LCD HDTVs with DVD players, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. (Oddly, not all rooms include Nespresso coffeemakers.) Newspapers are delivered in the morning, housekeeping comes twice daily, evening turndown service is provided, and room service is available 24 hours.

The hotel has exceptional luxury amenities, the most outstanding of which may be the outdoor, Olympic-sized swimming pool; its seawater is heated, and there's poolside service. Another noteworthy feature is the hotel's spa with a stylish treatment room, steam room, sauna, and hair salon. The fitness center is small but modern, there's a red-clay tennis court (and courtside drink service) and meticulously manicured gardens, and the hotel can arrange personal training sessions. An on-site boutique sells everything from sportswear to mementos.

The hotel has three restaurants and three bars. Oro is the hotel's Michelin-star restaurant, which opened in 2014 and features lagoon-side terrace dining. A huge, free buffet breakfast is served on the terrace or in-room. Then there's Cip's Club, a (slightly) more casual restaurant (built on a floating pontoon), plus a poolside restaurant and indoor and outdoor bars. The hotel has a wine list featuring over 1,000 bottles. Room service is available 24 hours. 

For guests traveling with children, there are plenty of amenities: high chairs, children's menus, cribs, bottle warmers, babysitting, a seasonal kids' club, and special welcome items for kids (like child-sized slippers and bathrobes). 

The hotel offers free shuttle boat service across the lagoon and has its own private marina for parking a boat, plus car parking facilities, too (extra fee). Wi-Fi is free, and small pets are allowed for no extra charge. A concierge is available 24 hours and can make pretty much anything happen -- personal shoppers and chauffeurs are standard fare. Note that the hotel is closed seasonally.