Hotel Gritti Palace

The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, occupies a former 15^th-century nobleman’s home sitting front and center on the Grand Canal in San Marco. In 2013, this storied terracotta-hued palazzo—the residence of a doge, host to literary figures, Hollywood stars, and artists—underwent a complete top-to-bottom renovation. Interior designer Chuck Chewning reimagined the canal-gazing and piazza-facing rooms with distinct themes and a balance of vintage and custom-made furnishings, luxurious Rubelli fabrics, Italian marble, and original artwork (Miró etchings hang in the Peggy Guggenheim suite). Amid the numerous updates, classic details remain—Murano glass chandeliers, the original gold-trimmed ceilings, and marble tiled floors.

Guests can create a memorable meal by enrolling in the first-class cooking school, or dress for dinner and be wowed at the refined Club del Doge restaurant, and wind down with a treatment (or two) at the sleek, guests-only spa.

With its prime setting on the Grand Canal, the 15th-century Venetian Gothic palazzo-turned- hotel was for years the go-to getaway for such cultural luminaries as Ernest Hemingway and Julian Schnabel. Its recent $45 million restoration has intensified its old-world glamour. The most over-the-top of the 82 units (fewer than before, but bigger) are the redesigned suites: The Pisani Palazzo Canal Suite (pictured) has ceiling cornices painted with Venetian rococo motifs. It also features Murano chandeliers, gilded mirrors, heritage terrazzo flooring, and historic oil paintings.

The newest edition to Venice‘s handful of cooking schools is the Epicurian School at the Gritti Palace. Like the Gritti Palace itself, the cooking school underwent a massive renovation recently, opening to the public in early 2013 with more space and tools to teach travellers the basics of Venetian cuisine. One thing to note is that there are not daily classes. They usually are scheduled two or three times a month, or by special appointment only. You can find these listed on the Gritti Palace website under the heading, Gastronomic Journey. The school is led by the Gritti’s Executive Chef, Daniele Turco, who offers demonstration and themed classes, sometimes with market trips, that focus on lagoon specialties and traditional Venetian fare. There are also package deals that combine up to three day stay and cook programs that allow visitors to have more intensive cooking lessons.