photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati
Venice: The
Gritti Palace Hotel – restoration. The Gritti Palace, one of the Luxury Collection Hotels re-opens its doors following a ribbon-cutting
ceremony after a meticulous 45 million Dollar restoration that brings the hotel
back to its original grandeur as the place where generations of global travelers and influencers gathered to experience its discreet residential
luxury and unparalleled service at the heart of Venice’s social and cultural
scenes.
Above: The ceremony was held on the terrace of the Grand Canal
complete with paparazzi hovering in a taxi, and was attended by Sandro
Simionato, Deputy Mayor of Venice, Paolo Lorenzoni, the Gritti Palace General
Manager, Roeland Vos,
President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East and by Monsignor
Ettore Fornezza.
The Gritti
Palace Hotel: Set on the Grand Canal, the Gritti Palace’s famous
terrace harkens back to the elegant Art Deco wooden decks of the Italian yachts
in the 1930s, with polished wood and gleaming stainless steel accents. Pretty bouquets of roses in silver
bowls sit on the teak tables.
photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati
The Gritti
Palace Hotel: Under a portrait of the Doge of Venice, Andrea Gritti,
the Explorer’s Library, pays homage to the hotel’s rich literary legacy and
featuring travel curiosities, antiques and rare books as well as classics by
renowned writers, Ernest Hemingway and Somerset Maugham among others, who
resided at the hotel over the years.
The Lobby.
Rubelli’s Nicolo Favaretto Rubelli and Donghia
Associates Design Director Chuck Chewning. “By carefully restoring the
furnishings and creating a series of handmade furniture, we aimed to enhance
the exclusive residential ambience that has kept The Gritti Palace so unique
and personal to its loyal guests through the years,” commented Chuck Chewning,
Design Director, of Donghia 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.”
The Gritti’s coat of arms reigns supreme.
Doorman Giuliano V. documents the event.
photograph
and copyright by manfredi bellati
The Gritti
Palace Hotel: The spectacular view from the terrace of the two-storey
Rendentore suite. The terrace measures 250 square meters which can also be
reached directly from the lobby with its own private lift, includes a mini pool
and chaise lounges overlooking the Grand Canal, the Basilica Santa Maria della
Salute and panoramic views of the lagoon and the city.
The Gritti
Palace Hotel: Autographed photographs of famous guests who have
stayed in the hotel hang on the walls of the corridors.
Above:
Jeanne Moreau and Adrien Brody.
The Gritti
Palace Hotel: 61 luxurious guest rooms and 21 sumptuous suites are
cloaked in rich period colors, they feature local design elements including
Rubelli damasks customized to rare archival designs, Venetian tapestries and
velvets, unique pieces of furniture such as long Rococo couches, handcrafted
Girandole mirrors and the Murano glass chandeliers.
photograph
and copyright by manfredi bellati
The Peggy Guggenheim Suite: The Peggy Guggenheim suite overlooks the Peggy Guggenheim Collection on the opposite side of the Grand Canal and
is decorated with modern art. Guests who stay in the suite are presented with a
one-year membership to all the Guggenheim Museums of the world.
Above: Interior decorator Chuck Chewning and the
Gritti’s General manager Paolo Lorenzoni give the press a tour of the suites.
Tom Cruise
A cocktail bar in one of the suites.
Elisabeth Taylor
The La Fenice suite boasts a harpsichord made in
Sorrento in 1704 by D. Matteo Castelletti as well as signed letters by Giuseppe
Verdi and Giacomo Puccini.
photograph
and copyright by manfredi bellati
The Ernest
Hemingway suite is full of Hemingway-esque memorabilia.
Charlie Chaplin
photograph
and copyright by manfredi bellati
The Gritti
Palace Hotel. The Blu Mediterraneo Spa, a new exclusive spa concept
by Acqua di Parma is a haven of holistic wellness, the spa recreates the
luxurious and authentic sensation evoked after a day spent strolling along the
enchanting canal and taking in the romantic atmosphere of la Serenissima.
The gym in the Blu Mediterraneo Spa.
Lauren Bacall
photograph
and copyright by manfredi bellati
The Gritti
Palace Hotel – the restaurant. The famous Club del Doge restaurant
and a table full of delicious Venetian Cicchetti.
The breadbasket.
Prosciutto San Daniele is carved.
photograph
and copyright by manfredi bellati
The Gritti Epicurean School. The hotel has
reintroduced the iconic culinary school, The Gritti Epicurean School, a
Venetian open kitchen that since 1975 has hosted the social elite of Venice for
wine tastings, cooking workshops and celebrations. The school will continue to
be a place to learn, taste and celebrate, offering a journey into indigenous
culinary experiences.
Sole and
steamed vegetable.
Pastry chef Salvatore Gatullo
A wide selection of the most delicious cakes and puddings
sit on the long table in the Epicurean School.
A charming shrine to the Madonna and Child hangs on
the side wall of The Gritti Palace Hotel, near the gondolier’s traghetto on the
Grand Canal.