THE LUXURY COLLECTION HOTELS & RESORTS CELEBRATES
THE GRAND OPENING OF THE LEGENDARY GRITTI PALACE
AFTER A $55 MILLION RESTORATION
Venice, Italy – The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), celebrates the grand opening of The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice.
The renowned hotel recently re-opened its legendary doors following a
meticulous $55 million restoration, bringing the hotel back to its
original grandeur.
The 15-month restoration of The Gritti Palace is part
of a larger strategy to invest over $200 million in the restoration of
Starwood’s most celebrated Luxury Collection hotels in Europe, including
Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville and Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian
which re-opened last year, as well as the newly reopened Prince de Galles in Paris.
“There
is a mystique about The Gritti Palace that has enchanted its guests for
generations, so it was essential that we involved local artisans,
architects, craftsmen and cultural institutions to preserve its
authentic elegance and distinct personality, while bringing the landmark
hotel into the 21st century,” said Paul 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 Grand
Canal.”
“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 Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels
& Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The restoration of the
majestic Gritti Palace reinforces 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.”
Facing the majestic Santa Maria della Salute and steps from Piazza San Marco and
La Fenice Theatre, The Gritti Palace was transformed into its current
Gothic shape by the Pisani family in 1475 and became the private
residence of the Doge of Venice, Andrea Gritti, in 1525. In the
centuries that followed, it was home to other noble families and
illustrious visitors before being converted into a luxury hotel in 1895.
In 1947, The Gritti Palace was bought by CIGA (Compagnia Italiana
Grandi Alberghi), to which The Luxury Collection brand traces its roots.
A Refined Version of Its Iconic Self
The Gritti Palace is renowned for its discreet residential luxury and unparalleled service, and is the
place in the heart of Venice where 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.
With
exquisite interior design by Donghia 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 Ministry of
Cultural Heritage and Environmental 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.
“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 The
Gritti Palace so unique and personal to its loyal guests through the
years,” says Chuck Chewning, Design Director, 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.”
Following
the complete restoration, The Gritti Palace features 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 Ernest Hemingway, Somerset Maugham and Peggy
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 Venice and the Gritti
Palace. The unique two-story Redentore Terrazza Suite
spans 818 square feet with an intimate reception room, a spacious
bedroom, a living room with dining area, and a spectacular rooftop
terrace measuring 2691 square feet, featuring a spa pool, relaxed entertaining spaces and extraordinary panoramic views of the lagoon and the city.
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 The Gritti Palace with treasured antiques, exuding a
distinctive and enveloping Venetian atmosphere.
Epicurean Experiences and Luxury Facilities
Set
on the Grand Canal, The Gritti Palace’s famous terrace continues to be
the social hub of Venice, designed to bring back the elegant wooden
decks of Italian yachts in the 1930s, with polished wood and gleaming
stainless steel accents. The famous Club del Doge Restaurant celebrates Venetian culinary traditions and features regional specialties such as pasta e fasoi (pasta and beans with Treviso radicchio and olive oil from Garda), el bisato sull-ara (slow-cooked eel in laurel leaves) and bigoli con l’arna (pasta with orange-flavoured duck meat sauce). The splendid Bar Longhi,
with its exquisite etched Venetian mirror walls, features some of the
best cocktails in Venice, an outstanding soufflé menu, as well as a
Venetian Cicchetti experience, ideal for sharing and late-night
lounging.
Set within the Sala Epicurea, The Gritti Epicurean School
is a Venetian open kitchen that since 1975 has hosted the social elite
of Venice and 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.
The Gritti Palace introduces Blu Mediterraneo Spa, a new and exclusive spa concept by Acqua 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 la Serenissima.
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.
As part the renewed arrival experience, the Explorer’s Library
pays 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 Ernest Hemingway and Somerset Maugham, who
have resided at the hotel over the years.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Italy
Starwood
currently operates 27 hotels and resorts throughout Italy under six of
its nine distinct lifestyle brands. In addition to The Gritti Palace,
these hotels include the historic Hotel Danieli, a Luxury Collection
Hotel – also in Venice, the luxurious St. Regis Florence and the
acclaimed St. Regis Rome, and the venerable Westin Excelsior Florence
with its panoramic rooftop SE.STO restaurant. Starwood also operates the
three remarkable Luxury Collection resorts in Costa Smeralda in
Sardinia, including the Romazzino and Pitrizza where seven new villas
will be added later this year.
For more information about The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice, please visit www.luxurycollection.com/gritti
About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The
Luxury Collection® is an ensemble of hotels and resorts offering
unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories.
For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the
world's most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort
is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the
destination's indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent decor,
spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern
conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience.
Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe's most
celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a
glittering ensemble of more than 85 of the world's finest hotels and
resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular
destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes
award-winning properties that continuously exceed guest expectations by
offering unparalleled service, style and class while celebrating each
hotel's distinctive heritage and unique character. All of these hotels,
many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being
among the world's finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com
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