AMAN CANAL GRANDE VENICE, THE EMBODYMENT OF LUXURY!
The Palazzo in which Aman is housed, Palazzo Papadopoli, was built in the 16th century by the architect Gian Giacomo dé Grigi and transformed by the artist Michelangelo Guggenheim into one of the most significant examples of the Neo-Renaissance and Rococo styles in the world. Aman Canal Grande is the leading luxury hotel in Venice and overlooks the Grand Canal from San Polo, the smallest of the six sestieri (districts) of the town.
The palazzo housing the Aman Canal Grande Venice, Palazzo Papadopoli, was built in 1550 by the architect and follower of Sansovino, Gian Giacomo de Grigi, as commissioned by the Coccina family. The palazzo changed hands several times between 1837 and 1864 when it was acquired by the Papadopoli family.
The brothers Count Nicolo and Angelo Papadopoli moved from Corfu in Greece to Venice, and in 1865 hired architect Girolamo Levi, and entrusted Michelangelo Guggenheim with the internal decoration of the piano nobile – the main living area of the palazzo.
Guggenheim was a leading exponent of the Neo-Renaissance and Rococo styles, and he reinvented the space, turning the palazzo into one of the most significant examples of these styles in Venice. Today the palazzo houses the Aman Canal Grande Resort, the only seven stars hotel in Europe and one of the best in the world.
At the entrance, facing a jetty where boats and water taxis dock, a cozy vibe welcomes guests, who are “encouraged to treat this place like home,” says Olivia Richli, Aman Canal Grande Venice’s General Manager. “They must have the feeling of being at home, but better.”
Despite the sumptuous ambience, the atmosphere is casual and guests can find many places to relax and spend time with friends, with two verdant gardens, a quiet roof terrace, a library and a living room with a piano. Balancing the opulent decorations on the walls and ceilings, the different spaces feature chic and minimal wengé wood furniture, all manufactured by Italian design company B&B, except for few pieces which were handmade by a carpenter.
The Rooms
The resort offers 22 rooms, all with different style décor covering at least 50 square meters, along with two suites, the Alcova Tiepolo Suite and the Canal Grande Suite.
The former features frescoes painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in 1750, along with hand-painted Chinese living room furniture; the latter, located in front of the palace’s main entrance, faces the Grand Canal. Rooms start from EUR 1,000 a night for garden view rooms to EUR 3,500 or approximately EUR 4,560 for the suites.
The Restaurants
Offering Italian, Thai and Japanese cuisine, the second floor of the Aman Canal Grande features a large dining area, which is open to the public and divided into three different rooms — the Dining Room, Yellow Room and Red Room.
Adjacent to the Bar on the piano nobile lie the Red Dining Room and the Yellow Dining Room, both serving Italian cuisine.
The Yellow Dining Room features a magnificent fireplace and a ceiling painted by the renowned 19th-century artist Cesare Rotta. It offers views of the Grand Canal while the Red Dining Room looks out over the hotel’s Canal Garden. Aman Canal Grande Venice also offers a seasonal al fresco dining venue.
The Spa
The Spa is located, almost secretly, on the third level of the palazzo. Access is via stairs and lift leading to a discrete reception area.
Dimly lit with low ceilings, the Spa has the atmosphere of a sanctuary, and provides three single treatment rooms, each with a private dressing area and bathroom. One of the treatment rooms has a soaking tub.
Named after the Sanskrit-derived word for ‘peace’, Aman offers a serene spa where one can retreat from the world and return rejuvenated in body and mind.
Travel for Senses TIPS
SEE... the ceiling frescoes by the 18th-century Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in the two small dining rooms;
HEAR... the gondolieri making their own way on the Grand Canal;
TASTE... the Thai and Japanese dishes perfectly served in the Yellow Room and Red Room;
TOUCH... the 300-year-old Cordoba leather covering the walls of the Library;
SMELL... the city from "Altana", Aman Canal Grande Venice’s roof terrace. On a clear day, the Alps are visible in the distance. It is particular pleasant when visiting early in the morning or at sunset.
Tell your friends
Facilities
- internet
- There is complementary WI-FI available in the rooms and private areas. Even if you will just go to Aman Canal Grande just to drink their signature cappuccino they provide you with a WI-FI password.
- breakfast
- Breakfast costs aditionally EUR 50 and is served in the Dining Room overlooking the Grand Canal or in the garden.
- special
- There is no reception desk; the concierge is only recognizable by the crossed keys on his lapel; there are no signs; the guest room doors are fastened with 19th-century locks; and guests never have to sign for anything.
- special
- When the wealthy Papadopoli brothers acquired the palazzo, they purchased two adjoining buildings, which were then razed to create space for a wonderful private garden. With the Grand Canal just over the fence, it provides a blissful setting in which to sip a coffee and to scan the newspaper before heading out for the day.
Comments and reviews