The Gritti Palace, Venice

There Are Hotels… and Then There Are Legends

There are places you stay. And then there are places that stay with you.

The Gritti Palace in Venice belongs firmly in the latter.

From the moment we stepped out of the airport and onto a private water taxi, the tone was set. Our flight had been delayed, and we were tired. But as we began gliding through the canals, something shifted. Venice has a way of doing that. The world you came from fades, and suddenly, you’re somewhere else entirely. Another time. Another rhythm.

By the time we arrived at The Gritti Palace, I already felt transported.

And then came the welcome.

I was quite literally handed out of the water taxi and greeted as if we were honored guests returning home. That feeling only deepened when we were escorted to our room…and discovered we had been upgraded from our standard booking to a Grand Canal view room with a private balcony.

Waiting for us: a chilled bottle of prosecco and a handwritten note from management.

It had been more than ten years since my last stay at The Gritti Palace.

And somehow, it was even better than I remembered.

A Room That Brings Back Memories

Our room was nothing short of stunning.

Antiques, gilded furnishings, a chandelier casting a warm glow, and a bathroom clad in Italian marble, complete with Acqua di Parma amenities whose familiar scent instantly brought back memories from my previous visit.

We were exhausted from the journey… but not too tired to celebrate.

We popped the prosecco, stepped out onto our balcony, and took in that unmistakable view—the Grand Canal of Venice, right there before us. Boats drifting by, voices echoing softly across the water, the gentle rhythm of the city unfolding below.

It was one of those quiet, pause and take it in moments.

The kind you don’t rush.

Settling Into the Venetian Rhythm

After a long soak in that deep, luxurious tub and a short nap, we set out to explore.

We wandered through winding streets and narrow alleyways, eventually stumbling upon a small, tucked-away restaurant, our first taste of Venice on this trip. Simple, unplanned, and perfect.

Back at the palace, we slipped into the intimate bar for a nightcap, and I was delighted to see a familiar face. The bar manager (Cristiano) from my previous visit was still there, as charming as ever. He introduced us to a fennel liqueur to close out the evening.

What was in it? I still don’t know.

But I do know this—between the travel and that final drink, I remember very little after returning to our room.

Except this: the next morning, my camera roll was filled with late-night photos of the Grand Canal.

We laughed about that.

A Day Curated by The Gritti

The following day is where The Gritti Palace truly shines, not just as a hotel, but as a curator of experiences.

When we mentioned to the concierge that we hoped to visit Murano and Burano, everything changed. As guests of the hotel, he arranged an entire private day for us: transportation, introductions, and access to artisans connected to the very fabric of the hotel itself.

We visited a Murano glass factory, Il Signoretti, where many of the hotel’s chandeliers and pieces are crafted.

Then on to Burano, to explore lace-making traditions and enjoy lunch at a restaurant that had been on my list for years: Ristorante di Romano.

We were running late.

They stayed open just for us.

What followed was one of the most beautiful and intimate lunches we’ve ever experienced. Just the two of us, lingering over wine and conversation in a place I had first discovered through Anthony Bourdain.

And somewhere between the sunshine, the colors of Burano, and that leisurely meal…

We found ourselves buying new outfits.

A blue and white linen dress for me.

A beautifully tailored blazer, shirt, and scarf for James… lined to match my dress.

It felt spontaneous. Joyful. Very…Venice.

Gondolas, Sunsets, and a Kiss Under the Bridge of Sighs

Back in Venice, after a bit of rest, we dressed in our new Burano finds and set out again.

A Bellini at Harry’s Bar.
A stroll through St. Mark’s Square.
And then…a gondola ride.

As the sun began to set, we drifted beneath the Bridge of Sighs.

And James kissed me.

It was one of those perfectly cinematic moments you couldn’t plan if you tried.

An Evening to Remember

Later that evening, we passed by Ristorante da Ivo, a place I had loved on a previous visit. There were no reservations available, but we took a chance and walked up to the door.

What happened next felt almost surreal.

We were welcomed in and treated as if we were longtime friends—or perhaps something more. The staff created a table for us, and we were guided through a beautiful bespoke tasting menu paired with a Venetian red wine.

At one point, the owner, Giovanni Fracassi, joined us at our table, sharing stories, his book, and the legacy of the restaurant.

It was enchanting.

And that word—enchanting—is the only one that truly captures Venice.

The Details That Stay With You

Back at The Gritti Palace for one final nightcap (yes, that fennel liqueur again), we settled into the quiet rhythm of the evening.

The next morning brought a sunlit breakfast overlooking the canal, prosecco included, of course.

And it’s the little details I still think about:

• A small stool placed beside the table to hold my handbag (a thoughtful touch I wish every restaurant adopted)
• Hallways lined with sketches of notable guests, including Ernest Hemingway
• The feeling of walking through a place that has welcomed generations before you

There is history here.

But more importantly, there is life.

Fairy Tales Can Become Real

The Gritti Palace is not simply a luxury hotel.

It is a place where moments unfold naturally, where experiences feel both elevated and deeply personal. Where you are not just visiting Venice, but participating in it.

For a brief moment in time, we felt like part of its story.

And that is something I will never forget.

Where is The Gritti Palace?

Set on the Grand Canal in the Venice city center near La Fenice Theatre and Piazza San Marco, The Gritti Palace boasts one of the most enthralling views of the lagoon – from S. Giorgio Maggiore and Punta della Dogana to S. Maria della Salute Basilica and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Dating to 1475, this noble palace and 5-star hotel in Venice is a place of exceptional art and elegance that has retained its reassuringly intimate and familiar feel of a private residence.

Visit The Gritti Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel in Venice