Inside the Cipriani Family’s Revamped Hotel Perched on the Venetian Lagoon
Venice is having a moment—and then again, when isn’t it? With a bevy of high-profile hotel openings and reopenings slated for 2026, the floating city has only underlined its status as the place everyone wants to go. But while the crowds jostle for space along the Grand Canal, the legendary Cipriani hospitality family is reminding the world that it planted its roots here on a remote island nearly a century ago.
While the company began with Harry’s Bar, which Giuseppe Cipriani Sr. opened in 1931, its first real rooms were located about 25 minutes away by boat. In 1936, Cipriani Sr. acquired a modest wine shop on Torcello, transforming it after World War II into a “locanda,” or inn, for those seeking privacy. While most visitors were drawn to Venice proper, Cipriani saw something special in this sparsely populated island, replete with medieval buildings and a Byzantine cathedral. Over the decades, its charming seclusion has attracted a guest list that reportedly includes everyone from Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill to Nicole Kidman and Elton John. Ernest Hemingway stayed for months while writing his novel Across the River and Into the Trees.
That inspiring sense of place still feels palpable, thanks to a sensitive expansion and renovation. Giuseppe Cipriani, founder and C.E.O. of the Cipriani Group and grandson of Guiseppe Sr., says the idea wasn’t to modernize the property but to preserve what he calls “the soul of the place,” something rooted in its history, setting, and generations of guests. To accomplish that, the family partnered with Fabrizio Cocchi Studio on a refurbishment that feels more restorative than transformative. The design draws heavily from the island itself. “I wanted the interior to feel connected to the landscape,” Cipriani says, “allowing the lagoon, the gardens, and the changing light to remain the true protagonists.”
The property has expanded from just six rooms to 10, including four new suites. That intimate scale has always been part of its appeal, making the inn feel more like a private home. Accommodations include dedicated living areas and terraces overlooking the gardens and nearby Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. Historic ceiling beams were painted white to lighten the atmosphere, while high-gloss wood paneling pairs with handblown glass light fixtures from Vetreria Venier in Murano.
The updates extend beyond the guest rooms. A new bar counter—the welcoming point of all the family’s restaurants—has been added, and the restaurant and shared spaces encourage “simple conviviality.” The gardens have also been refreshed, with roses and flowering plants returning to the grounds alongside vegetable plots and a vine-covered pergola supported by pink marble columns.
All of it was designed to offer a welcome break from the city’s bustle. As Cipriani puts it, Torcello is “a place that invites you to slow down and simply listen.” From about Php54,000
FAQs
Locanda Cipriani is an intimate historic inn and restaurant on the Venetian island of Torcello. Founded by Giuseppe Cipriani Sr. in the 1930s, it is known for its secluded setting, gardens, traditional hospitality, and long list of notable guests.
The restored property has expanded from six rooms to 10, including four new suites. Updates include refreshed guest rooms, a new bar counter, renovated shared spaces, restored gardens, vegetable plots, and a vine-covered pergola.
Locanda Cipriani is located on Torcello, roughly 25 minutes from central Venice by boat. Its remote lagoon setting offers a quieter alternative to hotels near the Grand Canal, while remaining accessible from the city.
This article originally appeared in Robb Report US.