The Gritti Palace

Photo #1 of 10 . Swipe for more photos. The Gritti Palace After meticulous restorations throughout the years, the The Gritti Palace can offer his guests the sight of precious architectural features, the original wooden ceilings, the original entrance flooring, dressing-table mirrors and 18th century wall lamps, hand-made in Murano, and more. Artisans and decorators very keen on the arts and crafts of Venice set to work with the aim of bringing the Gritti alive again as a patrician residence of the past. We are pleased to say they have accomplished this difficult task. Photo copyright Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc..

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The Gritti Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice

Overview

The Gritti Palace goes back to 1525; the Doge of Venice, Andrea Gritti, commissioned it and construction begun in the same year. Archives record that frescoes originally adorned the facade, though today they no longer survive. At first the official residence of the Gritti family, the palace was later used as the residence of the Vatican ambassadors to Venice. Later still, it was home to successive noble families, as the Pisanis and again the Grittis in 1814. Over the centuries it has had illustrious guests, as it was the habit for noble palaces. Some years later it was sold to the Baroness Susanna d'Eyb, widow to the Baron Vetzlar. It was during this period that John Ruskin and his young wife Ettie spent a long period at Palazzo Gritti where he wrote his famous book The Stones of Venice.

At the beginning of the XIX century, The Gritti Palace was turned into a hotel and annexed to the Grand Hotel, the adjacent Palazzo Ferro Fini.

After the Second World War, C.I.G.A. (Compagnia Italiana Grandi Alberghi) purchased the Gritti, and on June 5th, 1948 it was officially opened as an independent hotel.

Since 1994 The Gritti Palace is part of The Luxury Collection, the prestigious Starwood Hotels & Resorts' brand.

The Gritti Palace will stand as a refined version of its iconic self, welcoming its first guests in February 2013 to 82 magnificently restored accommodations, each a work of Venetian art in itself, including a collection of 21 sumptuous suites. Of these, ten unique suites are inspired after famous past guests such as Hemingway, Somerset Maugham, Ruskin, and Peggy Guggenheim, after art and cultural institutions such as Punta della Dogana, La Fenice, and by traditional festivities such as the Redentore Suite, whose one-of-a-kind 250m rooftop terrace affords views of the Grand Canal, the Giudecca island and southern lagoon. All rooms have been updated with the latest in state-of-the-art technology.

The Gritti Palace is centrally located in Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, overlooking the Grand Canal and just short walk from the La Fenice Opera House, St. Mark's Square, and the exclusive shopping district in Venice.

Explore the open-air museum that is Venice, and you will not be disappointed. Thanks to its long history and its peculiar urban shape, the city of Venice offers a full range of activities catering to different travelers, from those who are seeking a relaxing day at the beach at the Lido, to the ones interested in cultural destinations and museums, and those who fancy the best Made in Italy products of this season and local products. La Serenissima is full of exciting entertainment options and events all year long.

Starting your day in St. Mark's Square you will enjoy attractions such as Palazzo Ducale and the Secret Itineraries Tour where you can unveil Venice mysteries, or St. Mark's Basilica and its Byzantine Mosaics, St. Mark's Belltower and its views of Venice and the renowned Bridge of Sighs allow you to step back into history at St. Mark's Square. Then take a tour the vegetable, fruit and fish markets at Rialto, to savor local delicacies and the freshest produce of the season. Or you can adapt your pace to the local one by cruising along Venice's Grand Canal in a slow vaporetto (water bus) and gaze at the historical palaces around you. Pause for lunch living a true Venetian tradition: in of the many traditional bacari you can taste a few cicchettì (bite sized delicacy) paired with an ombra (a glass of wine) from a regional producer or a bubbly glass of Prosecco.

There is so much more to explore in Venice, such as art schools, galleries, museums and churches or one of the best kept secrets in town: the Arsenale, the ancient Venetian shipyards. Search for treasures in hidden antique and boutique shops, where the ancient art of mask making or glass blowing is still alive. And you shouldn't forget to visit the nearby towns, with a day trip you will be able to enjoy many World Heritage sites, such as Vicenza, Verona e Padua, and the small towns of Treviso and Asolo rich of history and beauty.