Venice: Hotel Cipriani, Reimagined by Peter Marino
The Renaissance of Grandeur: Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice Reimagined by Peter Marino
In the ever-enchanting city of Venice, where palazzos glimmer across the Grand Canal and gondolas drift through centuries-old waterways, there exists one hotel that encapsulates La Serenissima’s soul more than any other: Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice.
Photography: Conrad Marca. Hotel Cipriani Venice reception Area & Library, featuring Relli artwork.
Synonymous with effortless glamour, timeless indulgence, and cinematic appeal, Cipriani has been the sanctuary of film stars, artists, and royalty since its debut in the late 1950s. Now, this storied icon is entering a new era. Under the visionary hand of legendary architect and designer Peter Marino, the hotel is undergoing a multi-phase renovation that promises to honour its rich heritage while boldly and beautifully ushering it into the future.
The first chapter of this grand reimagination opens this season, marking a turning point for one of the most revered properties in global luxury travel.
Photography: Massimo Listri. Far left, the Laguna Suite Living Room and Carla Accardi Artwork. Centre, Peter Marino's Portrait features Emilio Vedova's Artwork. Far right, the Laguna Suite bathroom floor.
A Venetian Legend, Reborn
Set on the exclusive eastern tip of Giudecca Island, with uninterrupted 270-degree views of the Venetian Lagoon and St. Mark’s Square shimmering in the distance, Hotel Cipriani has always felt like a world apart, both of Venice and just beyond it. It is a rare, serene oasis in a city famed for its grandeur and crowds. The hotel's lush gardens, Olympic-sized saltwater pool (still the only one of its kind in central Venice), and expansive terraces have hosted generations of luminaries, from Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn to George Clooney and Sting.
“Since its opening, Hotel Cipriani has been a stage for the Italian ‘Dolce Vita,’ a place where timeless glamour meets relaxed luxury,” says Peter Marino, who has been entrusted with shaping the hotel’s next chapter. “My goal is to rekindle that magic—bringing new life to a place that already holds so many fond personal and cultural memories.”
Photography, @Matthieu Salvaing. A view of Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice. Interiors by Peter Marino.
The renovation, set to unfold in phases, is more than a facelift. It is a curated celebration of Cipriani’s legacy, blending Venetian tradition, mid-century elegance, and contemporary design with Marino’s signature fusion of architecture, art and tactile luxury. Importantly, the beloved original lobby remains untouched, an homage to the warmth and character that have welcomed guests for generations.
Designing Legacy: Three Eras of Influence
For Marino, celebrated for his bold reinventions of iconic addresses such as the Chanel flagship stores, Louis Vuitton maisons, and The Getty in NYC, the challenge was clear: respect the soul of Cipriani while elevating it for the modern luxury traveller.
Photography: Massimo Listri, Serenissima Suite.
The aesthetic reimagining of the hotel is inspired by three pivotal artistic eras:
Old Venice: The golden age of merchants, artisans, and aristocrats is referenced through opulent textures, Murano chandeliers, and custom-designed finishes inspired by Venetian Gothic architecture. As Chairman of the Venetian Heritage Foundation, Marino is deeply attuned to the city’s mystique and splendour.
The Dolce Vita Years: Evoking the glamour and energy of the late 1950s and 60s, when Hotel Cipriani first opened its doors. Think curated mid-century artworks, bold Italian design elements, and nods to the legendary Venice Film Festival and Biennale eras when the hotel was the epicentre of cultural rendezvous.
Contemporary Art and Design: Marino’s modern sensibility manifests in sculptural furniture, bespoke textiles, and a collection of contemporary art that reflects the hotel’s place at the nexus of global taste and Venetian identity.
New Private Residences Master & Junior Suites, With Dreamy Balcony Views
The new double-height arrival lobby -light-filled, architectural, and serene, offers a grand yet intimate introduction to this new vision. Meanwhile, 13 newly redesigned rooms showcase the transformation in full effect. Among them are two spectacular master suites: Serenissima and Laguna. These have been designed as private Venetian residences, complete with library, salon, and dining rooms. Eleven additional Suites and Junior Suites offer private balconies with dreamy views of the Casanova Gardens, immersing guests in Cipriani’s botanical sanctuary.
Photography: Massimo Listri. Garden view wuite with Venini Vases, designed by Peter Marino and Guy de Rougemont artwork. Bottom left, Laguna Suite living room and Carla Accardi artwork. Bottom right, Serenissima suite living area.
A New Chapter for an Icon
With Peter Marino’s reimagining in motion, Hotel Cipriani is poised not just to retain its place in the pantheon of legendary hotels, but to lead it forward. “Our team is thrilled with Peter’s timeless elegance, his masterful curation of art, and his unique ability to blend classic sophistication with modern comfort,” says Thomas Schwall, General Manager of Hotel Cipriani. “This new chapter will set the tone for decades to come.”
Far Left, Photography @Matthieu Salvaing. Laguna Suite, a view of Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice. Interiors by Peter Marino. Centre, photography, Massimo Listri, hotel restrooms with Giò Ponti Mirrors. Far right, photography by @Matthieu Salvaing, Laguna Suite dressing room.
As Venice itself evolves, navigating the tides of tourism, preservation, and cultural identity, Cipriani stands as both guardian and innovator. A place where history, design, cuisine, and imagination meet in one uniquely Venetian experience.
Whether you're here for a romantic escape, a cultural deep-dive, or a retreat into luxury, Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice remains the epitome of elegant escapism. And with this stunning reinvention, its legend continues to grow.
Photography: Massimo Listri, hotel library
To book
reservations.cip@belmond.com
or call +39 0185 2353 451
www.belmond.com
