Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel.

While many Venetian landmarks lean into crumbling history, Hotel Cipriani was built in 1958 specifically as a mid-century sanctuary for the international jet set. Located on the tip of Giudecca Island, it offers a distinct sense of seclusion just a five-minute private launch ride from St. Mark’s Square. The property is famous for its rare sense of space, featuring the city’s only Olympic-sized saltwater pool and sprawling gardens where guests can play tennis or wander away from the canal-side crowds. Interiors remain unapologetically glamorous with Murano glass and Rubelli fabrics, while the Michelin-starred Oro and the iconic Gabbiano Bar—birthplace of the original Bellini—provide the social anchor. It is the ultimate retreat for those who want the view of the Doge’s Palace without the noise of the tourists beneath it.