Venice steals the heart of many with its glorious history, architecture, and peaceful canals. Embodying all the romance and grandeur of La Serenissima is Aman Venice, a seven-star hotel set in a stupendous palazzo on the Grand Canal.
Aman Venice is located inside Palazzo Papadopoli, a 16th century palazzo in the San Polo district that was originally designed by Gian Giacomo dé Grigi. It’s one of Venice’s nine centuries-old regal houses and the last palazzo in the city that was permitted to be transformed into a hotel.
For the restoration work, Aman trusted Denniston and its principal designer, Jean-Michel Gathy, and the Dottor Group. Together, the team retained the palazzo’s Rococco and Neo-Renaissance splendour and refurbished the building with modern luxuries that are synonymous with Aman.
Guests enjoy a stylish start to their time in Venice from the moment they land at the airport. They are escorted to the hotel aboard a 1930 vintage-style speedboat, cruising on the canals until they reach the palazzo’s private jetty entrance. Upon alighting, guests would be delighted with the effortless check-in process and a lobby that’s unlike any other. Inspired by the palazzo’s traditional purpose of a merchant’s home, the chequered marble-floored lobby is opulent yet rid of the conventional check-in desk and concierge counter.
A sweeping staircase ascends to the piano nobile, the palazzo’s largest floor. Surrounded by beautiful frescoes and towering windows with opera draperies, this Rococo room consists of a lounge area, the ballroom, and beside it, two dining rooms: Yellow and Red. The gilded ballroom, lined with mirrors and lit with an original Murano chandelier, houses the main dining area. Here, guests enjoy Italian and Asian fares while taking in views of the Grand Canal.
Also overlooking the Grand Canal, the Yellow dining room is enclosed with yellow brocade wallpapers, while the Red, also in a colour scheme corresponding to its name, allows guests to dine while enjoying the Garden Terrace view within the Rubelli silk-covered walls.
Perhaps the most modern compound of the property, the spa on the third floor is dimly lit and effortlessly decorated with wood and accents of white. Another set of staircase continues to the fourth floor’s amenities, which are exclusively for guests to indulge in— the Salon, Library, Stanza del Tiepolo and Stanza Gialla.
The rest of the hotel is dedicated to the 24 suites whose varying layouts and designs fall into four categories distinguished by architectural aspects, view and size. The Palazzo bedrooms overlook the property’s garden, while the Palazzo Chambers boast their exceptional canal view.
The property also boasts three signature suites: The Alcove Tiepolo Suite, the Sansovino Suite and the Canal Grande Suite. The Alcova Tiepolo suite has a Chinese-painted sitting room and an ornate bedroom whose ceiling was painted by celebrated 18th-century artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
Meanwhile in the Sansovino Suite, an original fireplace by Jacopo d’Antonio Sansovino, a prominent architect in Venice in the 16th century, is held intact by the caramel-coloured walls. Originally named ‘The Hall of the Four Doors’, the suite’s marvels include a painted frieze around its walls and a carved ceiling.
The Grand Canal Suite lies above the palazzo’s main entrance and so indisputably, this crowning jewel triumphs with its arched window and marvelous canal view.
Proudly marked as Aman’s fourth Mediterranean destination, Aman Venice opened its doors in 2018 after undergoing renovation. They’ve wowed guests with their romance and grandeur, so much so that even George and Amal Clooney chose Aman Venice as their wedding venue. When travelling to La Serenissima, be sure not to miss staying at the luxurious Aman Venice for a memorable experience.