Venice a magical place.
Contributed by Jens Hoffmann
The Cipriani is located on Giudecca Island, a 5-minute boat ride from St. Mark’s Square.
The Hotel Ciprani in Venice is one of the bests hotel, the place has been an idyllic sanctuary since it opened in 1958.
There’s nothing quite like waking up in the Hotel Cipriani, amid a sea of quiet streets, sprawling gardens, and that giant saltwater pool.
The full glory of Venice is suddenly yours — you can actually imagine being here when the city was a world power of its own. Sometimes you can even go to bed with George Clooney. The new daddy Clooney is a huge fan of the hotel and has created two drinks with popular bartender Walter Bolzonella.
The Buona Notte, created when he presented a new film at the Venice Film Festival.
It starts with half a lime, fresh ginger, spoonful of cane sugar, angostura bitter, vodka, cranberry and crushed ice. On the night it was created, dozens people came to the bar and demanded the Buona Notte.
A nice night cap.
Hmm, nice story.
The Cipriani is a world apart from other luxury hotels. Luxury is found in staff that feel like family, flowers blooming, or a perfect plate of pasta pomodoro.
Gwyneth Paltrow mentioned the hotel’s food, so we tried the pasta pomodoro and it was indeed yummy.
Inspiration comes from the fragrant grounds, we smeleld the fresh herbs of the hotel’s garden and wanted to make our own drinks. On a beautiful Venetian night, there is simply no better place than Cip’s Club for an dinner and the summer heat and crowds of Venice are escaped by the Olympic-sized swimming pool that despite its size, feels hidden away in the gardens.
The Gabbiano Bar faces the pool and this is where you’ll meet brchef Walter Bolzonella, his stories are fascinating. Be aware that rooms vary in size and have a certain faded look, so ask for dimensions and try to snag a lagoon view.
Avoid the new annex altogether, which has small rooms and a less glamorous feel. Even better — though it costs a mint — choose a room in the Vendramin, a restored waterfront palazzo that comes with a fleet of private butlers.
It’s no wonder Clooney often makes the Cipriani his bachelor pad when in town for the film festival.
If it is booked out, I would recommend to try the Kempinski San Clemente.
Bella Italia, we will be back soon.
Photos: Klaudia Blasl & Jens Hoffmann
