{"id":11266,"date":"2013-05-08T09:24:00","date_gmt":"2013-05-08T09:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/the-luxury-collection-hotels-resorts-celebrates-the-grand-opening-of-the-legendary-gritti-palace-after-a-35-million-euro-restoration\/"},"modified":"2013-05-08T09:24:00","modified_gmt":"2013-05-08T09:24:00","slug":"the-luxury-collection-hotels-resorts-celebrates-the-grand-opening-of-the-legendary-gritti-palace-after-a-35-million-euro-restoration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/2013\/05\/the-luxury-collection-hotels-resorts-celebrates-the-grand-opening-of-the-legendary-gritti-palace-after-a-35-million-euro-restoration\/","title":{"rendered":"The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Legendary Gritti Palace after a 35 Million Euro Restoration"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of\u00a0Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.\u00a0(NYSE: HOT), today celebrates the grand opening of\u00a0The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel,\u00a0Venice.<\/span><\/p>\n

The renowned hotel recently re-opened its legendary doors following a meticulous\u00a035 million Euros\u00a0restoration, bringing the historic building back to its original grandeur. The 15-month restoration of\u00a0The Gritti Palace\u00a0is part of a larger strategy to invest over\u00a0150 million Euros\u00a0in the restoration of Starwood’s most celebrated Luxury Collection hotels in\u00a0Europe, including\u00a0Hotel Alfonso XIII,\u00a0Seville\u00a0and\u00a0Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian which re-opened last year, as well as\u00a0Prince de\u00a0Galles in\u00a0Pariswhich will re-open later this month.<\/div>\n
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“There is a mystique about\u00a0The Gritti Palace\u00a0that has enchanted its guests for generations, so it was essential that we involved local\u00a0\"lux73re\"artisans, architects, craftsmen and cultural institutions to preserve its authentic elegance and distinct personality, while bringing the landmark hotel into the 21st century,” said\u00a0Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis and W Hotels Worldwide. “The renaissance of this Venetian icon marks a momentous occasion for The Luxury Collection as the birthplace of the brand, now 85 hotels around the world, which has come full circle to restore its roots on the\u00a0Grand Canal.”<\/div>\n
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“As part of Starwood’s strategy to further strengthen The Luxury Collection brand portfolio, we have made major investments to restore some of our most iconic hotels,” comments\u00a0Roeland Vos, President,\u00a0Starwood Hotels & Resorts,\u00a0Europe,\u00a0Africa\u00a0andMiddle East. “The restoration of the majestic\u00a0Gritti Palacereinforces our commitment to providing global explorers the chance to discover this incredible destination with the exceptional service and style they have come to expect from The Luxury Collection.”<\/div>\n
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Facing the majestic Santa Maria della Salute and steps from Piazza San Marco and\u00a0La Fenice Theatre,\u00a0The Gritti Palacewas transformed into its current Gothic shape by the Pisani family in\u00a01475<\/a>\u00a0and became the private residence of the Doge ofVenice,\u00a0Andrea Gritti, in\u00a01525<\/a>. In the centuries that followed, it was home to other noble families and illustrious visitors before being converted into a luxury hotel in\u00a01895<\/a>. In\u00a01947<\/a>,\u00a0The Gritti Palace\u00a0was bought by CIGA (Compagnia Italiana Grandi Alberghi), to which The Luxury Collection brand traces its roots.<\/div>\n
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A Refined Version of Its Iconic Self<\/div>\n
The Gritti Palace\u00a0is renowned for its discreet residential luxury and unparalleled service, and is\u00a0the<\/i>\u00a0place in the heart of\u00a0Venice\u00a0where generations of global travellers and influencers have gathered to experience the city’s social and cultural scene.The design of the hotel’s restored interiors was inspired by its historical role as a private residence, a centre for celebration, and a patron of the arts.<\/div>\n
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With exquisite interior design by\u00a0Donghia Associates, part of the iconic Venetian fabric house Rubelli, the protected landmark building’s architectural restorations were led by Italian engineering firm Veniceplan Ingegneria Srl with the Regional Board of the\u00a0Ministry of Cultural Heritage\u00a0andEnvironmental Conservation of Venice and Lagoon. The finest architects and local artisans were engaged to painstakingly restore the prestigious hotel, including the incorporation of modern hydraulic engineering to protect the building during high tides, allowing the hotel to maintain its usual operations. The restoration included environmentally-friendly measures such as the use of LED lighting throughout the hotel’s public areas and guest rooms, the recycling of waste water and the replacement of windows to improve thermal and acoustic insulation.<\/div>\n
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“By carefully restoring precious antique furniture and artwork, and complementing them with a selection of newly handcrafted furnishings, we aimed to enhance the exclusive residential ambience that has kept\u00a0The Gritti Palace\u00a0so unique and personal to its loyal guests through the years,” says\u00a0Chuck Chewning, Design Director,\u00a0Donghia Associates. “We have seamlessly integrated Donghia’s and Rubelli’s signature sophistication with the hotel’s history and heritage, giving it a sense of Venetian elegance and timeless luxury.”<\/div>\n
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Following the complete restoration,\u00a0The Gritti Palace\u00a0features 61 luxurious guest rooms and 21 sumptuous suites, including suites with impressive canal views. The interior design of signature suites is inspired by renowned personalities – such as\u00a0Ernest Hemingway, Somerset Maugham and\u00a0Peggy Guggenheim, who have left their indelible mark on the hotel and the city, or references to emblematic locations such as Punta della Dogana which represent the cultural and artistic roots of\u00a0Venice\u00a0and the\u00a0Gritti Palace. The unique two-story\u00a0Redentore Terrazza Suite\u00a0spans 76 square meters with an intimate reception room, a spacious bedroom, a living room with dining area, and a spectacular rooftop terrace measuring 250 square metres, featuring a spa pool, relaxed entertaining spaces and extraordinary panoramic views of the lagoon and the city.<\/div>\n
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Cloaked in rich period colours, the restored rooms and suites feature local design elements including Venetian tapestries and velvets, unique pieces of furniture such as long Rococo couches, handcrafted Girandole mirrors, Murano glass chandeliers, as well as exquisite reproductions of rare Rubelli archival fabrics. Local and historical artwork is also showcased at\u00a0The Gritti Palace\u00a0with treasured antiques, exuding a distinctive and enveloping Venetian atmosphere.<\/div>\n
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Epicurean Experiences and Luxury Facilities<\/div>\n
Set on the\u00a0Grand Canal, The Gritti Palace’s famous terrace continues to be the social hub of\u00a0Venice, designed to bring back the elegant wooden decks of Italian yachts in the 1930s, with polished wood and gleaming stainless steel accents. The famous\u00a0Club del Doge Restaurant\u00a0celebrates Venetian culinary traditions and features regional specialties such as\u00a0pasta e fasoi<\/i>\u00a0(pasta and beans with Treviso radicchio and olive oil from Garda),\u00a0el bisatosull-ara<\/i>\u00a0(slow-cooked eel in laurel leaves) and\u00a0bigoli con l’arna<\/i>\u00a0(pasta with orange-flavoured duck meat sauce). The splendid\u00a0Bar Longhi, with its exquisite etched Venetian mirror walls, features some of the best cocktails in\u00a0Venice, an outstanding souffl\u00e9 menu, as well as a Venetian Cicchetti experience, ideal for sharing and late-night lounging.<\/div>\n
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Set within the Sala Epicurea,\u00a0The Gritti Epicurean School\u00a0is a Venetian open kitchen that since\u00a01975<\/a>\u00a0has hosted the social elite of\u00a0Venice\u00a0and international guests for wine tastings, cooking workshops and celebrations. The cooking school continues to be a place to learn, taste and celebrate, offering a journey into indigenous culinary experiences.<\/div>\n
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The Gritti Palace\u00a0introduces\u00a0Blu Mediterraneo Spa, a new and exclusive spa concept by\u00a0Acqua di Parma, a brand emblematic of the most refined Italian style. An intimate wellness haven, the spa offers complete relaxation, indulgent massages and pampering beauty treatments after a day of exploring\u00a0<\/i>la Serenissima<\/i>. Set in natural, soothing tones with delicate gold accents, the spa features contemporary touches such as intricate Orsoni mosaics, opulent Murano glasses, exquisite Venetian floors and elegant wenge wood that draw from ancient Italian craftsmanship.<\/div>\n
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As part of the renewed arrival experience, the\u00a0Explorer’s Library\u00a0pays homage to The Gritti Palace’s rich literary legacy, featuring travel curiosities, antiques and rare books as well as classics by renowned writers, such as\u00a0Ernest Hemingway\u00a0and Somerset Maugham, who have resided at the hotel over the years.<\/div>\n
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Starwood Hotels & Resorts\u00a0in\u00a0Italy<\/div>\n
Starwood currently operates 27 hotels and resorts throughout\u00a0Italy\u00a0under six of its nine distinct lifestyle brands. In addition to\u00a0The Gritti Palace, these hotels include the historic\u00a0Hotel Danieli, a Luxury Collection Hotel – also in\u00a0Venice, the luxurious St. Regis Florence and the acclaimed St. Regis Rome, and the venerable\u00a0Westin Excelsior Florence\u00a0with its panoramic rooftop SE.STO restaurant. Starwood also operates the three remarkable Luxury Collection resorts in Costa Smeralda in\u00a0Sardinia, including the Romazzino and Pitrizza where seven new villas will be added later this year.<\/div>\n
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For more information about\u00a0The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel,\u00a0Venice, please visit\u00a0www.luxurycollection.com\/<\/wbr>gritti<\/a>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of\u00a0Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.\u00a0(NYSE: HOT), today celebrates the grand opening of\u00a0The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel,\u00a0Venice. The renowned hotel recently re-opened its legendary doors following a meticulous\u00a035 million Euros\u00a0restoration, bringing the historic building back to its original grandeur. The 15-month restoration of\u00a0The Gritti Palace\u00a0is part […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11266"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11266\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}