Hotel Cipriani

Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel occupies the eastern tip of Giudecca Island with roughly 95 to 96 rooms, large gardens, and Venice's only Olympic-inspired heated saltwater pool. Founded in 1958, it is reached by complimentary private launch, about 5 minutes from St Mark's. It opens roughly late March to early November and closes in winter.

"The Giudecca icon with Venice's only Olympic-size heated pool, large gardens and the Michelin-starred Oro, five minutes by launch from St Mark's."

Aggregate 9.5/10 on our editorial scale (Room & Design, Service, Location). Independently scored; see our methodology. This is our opinion, not an aggregate of user reviews.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from bookings at no cost to you. We never accept payment for placement. Facts verified against official sources and the 2026 Michelin Guide in July 2026.

What makes Hotel Cipriani special?

Hotel Cipriani's defining feature is space: large gardens and an Olympic-inspired heated saltwater swimming pool, the only pool of its kind in central Venice, on the eastern tip of Giudecca Island. In a city where outdoor room is scarce, the Belmond property offers resort-style grounds that few Venetian hotels can match. It was founded in 1958 by Giuseppe Cipriani of Harry's Bar fame, and that heritage still shapes its character. The setting on Giudecca separates it from the crowds, and guests reach it only by the hotel's complimentary private launch, about 5 minutes across the water from St Mark's, which adds a sense of arrival and seclusion. Dining is a genuine strength, with the Oro restaurant holding one Michelin star in 2026, the waterfront Cip's Club facing St Mark's, and the poolside Giudecca 10 restaurant and bar. Wellness includes the Casanova spa alongside the landmark pool. Importantly, this is a seasonal hotel: it opens roughly late March to early November and closes for winter, so it cannot be booked year-round. For pool, gardens, and calm minutes from San Marco, it stands apart.

Which room should you book?

With roughly 95 to 96 rooms and suites, Hotel Cipriani offers a wide range, and the choice comes down to whether you prioritize view, garden access, or the pool. Accommodations spread across the property's gardens and buildings, so outlooks vary from lagoon and St Mark's views to garden and pool aspects. Rooms and suites near the gardens and pool suit guests who came for the resort-style grounds, while higher categories deliver the strongest water views back toward Venice. Suites offer more space and are the natural pick for honeymooners and those wanting a standout stay. Be aware that some rooms and bathrooms feel old-fashioned or dated, so it is worth confirming which have been refreshed and requesting a recently updated category if modern interiors matter to you. Because rates climb steeply in high season, matching the room to what you actually want, view, garden, or pool proximity, protects the value of the booking. The property is large enough that location within the grounds noticeably affects the experience, so discuss options with the hotel before confirming.

Where should you eat and drink?

Dining is one of Hotel Cipriani's strongest draws, anchored by the Oro restaurant, which holds one Michelin star in the 2026 guide. Oro delivers the property's fine-dining experience, while the waterfront Cip's Club offers a more relaxed setting directly facing St Mark's across the water, a memorable spot for lunch or dinner with a classic Venetian view. Beside the pool, the Giudecca 10 restaurant and bar handle casual daytime and evening dining within the gardens. Together the three venues cover everything from a starred tasting occasion to poolside meals without leaving the island, which matters given that every trip into Venice depends on the boat shuttle. The Cipriani name carries real culinary heritage through its 1958 founding by Giuseppe Cipriani of Harry's Bar, and dining remains central to the hotel's identity. Guests who value staying put and eating well on-site are well served here. Because the hotel is seasonal, all dining operates only during the open window, roughly late March to early November, so winter visitors cannot book these restaurants through the hotel.

What is the spa and pool like?

Hotel Cipriani offers the strongest wellness setting in central Venice, led by its Olympic-inspired heated saltwater swimming pool, the only pool of its kind in the dense city, set within large gardens. The pool is the property's signature and a genuine rarity, giving guests space to swim and relax outdoors that almost no other Venetian hotel can provide. Alongside it, the Casanova spa delivers treatments in the same expansive, garden-focused environment. The combination of pool, gardens, and spa gives the hotel a true resort feel just minutes from St Mark's by launch. Keep in mind the hotel is seasonal, opening roughly late March to early November, so the pool and spa are available only during that window and not in winter. For travelers who want to swim, unwind in gardens, and combine that with easy access to Venice, the wellness offering here is close to unmatched in the city.

Where is Hotel Cipriani, and how do you get there?

Hotel Cipriani sits at the eastern tip of Giudecca Island, at Giudecca 10, separated from central Venice by a stretch of water and reached only by the hotel's complimentary private launch, about 5 minutes to St Mark's. There is no walking route from the hotel into central Venice, so the launch is your lifeline for every trip across; it runs as a shuttle throughout the day. The nearest public option is the Zitelle vaporetto stop on Giudecca, a short distance away, useful for reaching other parts of the city by public water transport. Arriving from Marco Polo Airport, a water-taxi takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes to the hotel's dock. The island position is what delivers the gardens, pool, and calm, but it also means total dependence on boats, so factor in shuttle timing when planning outings, dinners, or early departures. For travelers who value seclusion and are comfortable relying on the launch, the location is a highlight; for those wanting to step straight into Venice's streets, it is a trade-off.

What do guests consistently say?

Guests consistently single out the pool, gardens, and sense of calm as what makes Hotel Cipriani memorable. The Olympic-inspired saltwater pool draws particular praise as a rare luxury in Venice, and the large gardens give the stay a resort feel that visitors find surprising in such a dense city. The complimentary private launch and its short crossing to St Mark's are frequently described as a special part of the experience, adding both convenience and a sense of arrival. Dining earns strong notes, especially the Michelin-starred Oro and the waterfront Cip's Club with its view back toward San Marco. Many guests highlight the seclusion and quiet, valuing the escape from the crowds while staying close to the sights. Service and the Cipriani heritage also come up positively. Honeymooners and resort-style luxury travelers tend to feel the property matches their expectations. The recurring theme is that the island setting, pool, and gardens deliver something most Venice hotels cannot, which is why guests return.

Honest cons: who should skip it?

Skip Hotel Cipriani if you want to step directly into Venice's streets, because the island location means total dependence on the boat shuttle for every trip into the city. The complimentary launch is efficient, but relying on it for dinners, sightseeing, and early departures adds planning that some travelers find limiting. The hotel is also seasonal, opening roughly late March to early November and closing in winter, so it is not an option for a winter Venice trip. Some rooms and bathrooms feel old-fashioned or dated, and at very high rates, EUR 2,000 to 3,000 or more in high season, several guests question the value relative to the room product. Travelers who prize a central, walkable base or want modern interiors throughout may be disappointed. Those who want the pool, gardens, and calm, and who are comfortable with the boat-dependent rhythm, are the natural fit; anyone wanting immediate street access or a budget-conscious luxury stay should look at central San Marco options instead.