Aman Venice is all about space. Housed in one of the loveliest and undoubtedly grandest palazzi on the Grand Canal, there are only 24 bedrooms in a building that other hoteliers would have squeezed in many many more. As a result, you feel like you are in a private home even in the peak of high season during the craziness of vernissage or the film festival. The Aman group pride themselves on service, and under the watchful eye of GM Licinio Garavaglia you couldn’t be in better hands. Everything is understated but oh so comfortable – from the clean elegant lines of the furniture, to the spa, even to the menu which in a city that is positively sinking in buttery risottos, here you will also find hints of lemongrass and coriander in homage to Amans Asian roots. Considered touches are everywhere; intelligent touches that immediately set it apart from many of the other tip top hotels in the city. The warmth of atmosphere must in part be due to the owners of the palazzo still living upstairs with their five children and dachshund.
There can be nothing more pleasant than to while away an hour in the garden (so vast a palazzo was knocked down to make space for it) listening to the water lapping on the dock, the scent of the wisteria pervading the air and the sounds of the city humming in the back ground as you snooze in the afternoon sun. Yet, the hustle and bustle of the Rialto fish and vegetable market is literally a moments away through the discreet door at the back of the hotel (no signage here) as are some of our favourite restaurants in the city (Carampane anyone?)
