Reviews of San Clemente Palace, Venice, Italy

Review of San Clemente Palace, by Jamie Dunford Wood

The San Clemente Palace in Venice has been eagerly awaited for several years. Just a short ten-minute boat ride from St Marks, this luxury hotel is a restoration of a former 19th-century Austrian barracks and provincial headquarters, but was more recently a monastery.

The facilities

This luxury hotel is massive. Interminable corridors provide an axis through rooms on two floors, restaurants, shops and meeting rooms. Lining them are a series of portraits of doges, ripped from rare books and mounted in frames, and distressed faux-antique cabinets selling quality Venetian glass, Dolce & Gabbana and Baby Dior. The floors are of cool marble with grey pilasters lending an air of architectural distinction.

Outside at San Clemente Palace, relaxing lawns lead down to views of the lagoon, a secluded swimming pool - another Venetian treat - and function rooms for parties. Yes, it's a trek to get to, but the space and seclusion are advantages.

The rooms

All of the more than 200 rooms at this luxury hotel are large. This is a rare treat in Venice. The rooms have a slightly corporate air, but are equipped with all the latest modern conveniences.