Design Luxury

The St. Regis Venice (VE)

by Lavinia Colonna Preti
The St. Regis Venice (VE) — Veneto Secrets

A 5-star dream hotel with one of the most romantic views of the Grand Canal and an interior where unique furnishings and true works of art combine with ultra-modern comfort.

Suffice it to say that the view from The St. Regis Venice was Monet’s favorite in Venice, that the hotel’s restaurant overlooking the Basilica della Salute is one of the best in the Lagoon city, or that each guest is assigned a personal butler service. Instead, the list of the exclusive uniquenesses of this wonderful 5-star hotel on the Grand Canal, recently renovated, is still very long.

Starting from each element of the interior design, inspired by Carlo Scarpa and the colors of the Lagoon, which really deserves a description in itself: from the bar cabinets, handcrafted deco style masterpieces, to the many contemporary works of art chosen by the Art Curator of the hotel Robin Greene, in collaboration with Berengo Studio; from the hand-made stuccos to the Rubelli’s silks up to the marble walls and ceilings in glass and gold leaf. Every detail, even the most hidden one, is a tribute to the history of Venice and its artisanal treasures.

The St. Regis Venice (VE) — Veneto Secrets
The St. Regis Venice (VE) — Veneto Secrets

The view from our hotel room is the most magnificent in all of Venice, and for Monet that’s all that matters.

(Alice, the artist’s wife to her daughter)

Gio’s Restaurant & Terrace, a must-go in Venice, offers the unique experience of eating literally on the water, among the gondolas, and enjoying the sun going down on Punta della Dogana (also heated in winter). Highly requested, you can book one of the most romantic tables for 2 in Italy: located on a small private panoramic pier, it will give you the opportunity to dine in total privacy, immersed in one of the most beautiful views in the world.

The Executive Chef, Giuseppe Ricci, originally from Puglia, with experience in London at Alain Ducasse’s iconic The Dorchester, creates tasty dishes that reinterpret the Venetian tradition with an international contemporary twist, such as Cuttlefish bonbon in Jerusalem artichoke with Saor sauce, the Raw pasta dumplings filled with Vicentina-style codfish, spiked squids and lovage or the Baked turbot fish sided with potato and leek cream, seared puntarelle and smoked caviar sauce.

The two bars – the St. Regis Bar, with an Italian-style terrace reminiscent of the magical sets of the 1960s Dolce Vita, and the Arts Bar, an ultra-chic version of the classic American Bars – boast acrobatic bartenders in white double-breasted uniforms that serve amazing cocktails. Among the signature drinks, do not miss the Santa Maria Bloody Mary inspired by the legendary Red Snapper based on clarified tomato juice, Absolut Elyx Vodka, horseradish infusion, Verjus du Perigord, drops of spicy and saline tincture, and Grappa Poli.

The St. Regis Venice (VE) — Veneto Secrets
The St. Regis Venice (VE) — Veneto Secrets

The hotel offers 169 rooms, including 39 suites, some of which with private terrace, equipped with every ultra-modern comfort. An absolute wonder is the suite dedicated to Monet, 150 square meters of pure beauty with furniture and works of art created in the nuances of his masterpieces. Like the paintings on the walls, part of an artist residency project created by the Parisian artist Olivier Masmonteil, the chairs’ arms, real wood sculptures that recall the forcole of gondolas, or the carpets, unique pieces designed taking inspiration from the water ripples of the Grand Canal. Among the other services, the hotel boasts a gym, the Spa Suites as well as all sorts of business facilities.

The real secret of St. Regis’ fabulous stay? The extraordinary, highly qualified staff who will make you truly feel in “your” home on the Grand Canal. It is no coincidence that every customer has his own butler assigned. A service by St. Regis, for which the famous hotel chain is famous all over the world, that was created by its founder, Colonel John Jacob Astor IV in 1904 when he opened his first St. Regis in New York with the dream of offering the best hotel service in the world.

The Secret

Monet stayed at the Britannia, the name of the hotel at the time, in 1908. Being his first visit to Venice, he fell madly in love with it, so much so that he started to paint 37 canvases here. Among his most famous paintings, we can, in fact, mention the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore subjects; that same view, which also inspired the painters Turner and Sargent, which you can enjoy at The St. Regis Venice even just for a coffee or a romantic dinner on the Grand Canal.

Useful Info

The St. Regis Venice
S. Marco 2159
30124 Venezia
Tel. +39 041 2400001

Tasting menu: 5 courses 150 euro, wine excluded
First courses: 26 — 34 euro
Second courses: 40 — 46 euro
Cocktails: from 20 euro
Rooms from 600 euro per night, subject to seasonal promotions

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