Locanda Cipriani Shines Again: The Iconic Venetian Retreat Unveils Four New Suites

As Venice continues to attract new luxury hotels and some of the world’s most prestigious hospitality brands, the Cipriani family is turning the spotlight back to the place where its story of hospitality began almost a century ago.

Following two years of careful restoration, the legendary Locanda Cipriani on the island of Torcello is once again welcoming guests with four new suites, refreshed interiors and restored gardens, without sacrificing the intimate atmosphere that once attracted Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemingway.

Located just a 20-minute boat ride from the bustling heart of Venice, Locanda Cipriani offers an entirely different experience of the famous lagoon – quiet, green and almost impossibly removed from the crowds of St. Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal.

Nearly 90 Years of Cipriani Family History

The story began in 1931, when Giuseppe Cipriani Sr. opened the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice. Just five years later, he purchased a small wine shop on Torcello, an island that was already considerably quieter than the city’s central districts.

After World War II, the property was transformed into a locanda, or small inn, intended for guests seeking privacy and a different perspective on Venice.

While millions of visitors gravitated toward the famous palaces and canals of the historic center over the following decades, Torcello retained an almost rural character, with medieval buildings, a Byzantine basilica and the landscapes of the Venetian Lagoon.

It was precisely this sense of isolation that attracted an extraordinary clientele. Famous guests have included Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, Nicole Kidman and Elton John, while Ernest Hemingway spent several months here working on his novel Across the River and Into the Trees.

A Restoration That Refused to Erase the Past

For the latest renovation, the Cipriani family collaborated with Fabrizio Cocchi Studio, and the objective was never to transform the historic property into yet another contemporary luxury hotel.

On the contrary, Giuseppe Cipriani, founder and CEO of Cipriani Group and grandson of Giuseppe Cipriani Sr., insisted on preserving what he describes as the “soul of the place.”

The interiors were therefore conceived as an extension of the island itself, allowing the lagoon, gardens and changing daylight to remain the true protagonists of the experience.

Rather than a radical redesign, the restoration feels like a careful refresh of the property’s existing identity – subtle enough to ensure that the new details never overshadow almost a century of history.

Just Ten Rooms and Four New Suites

Following the renovation, Locanda Cipriani has expanded from only six to ten accommodations, including four entirely new suites.

At a time when luxury resorts often attempt to impress through sheer scale, such a small number of rooms remains one of the hotel’s greatest privileges. The atmosphere feels more like an exclusive private residence than a conventional hotel complex.

The new suites feature separate living areas and terraces overlooking the gardens and the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta.

Historic wooden ceiling beams have been painted white to make the interiors feel brighter, while glossy wood paneling creates a contrast with hand-blown glass lighting crafted by Murano workshop Vetreria Venier.

Gardens, Roses and Lunch Beneath the Pergola

The changes extend beyond the hotel rooms. The communal spaces and restaurant have also been renovated, while a new bar has been added – an element with a particularly important place in the Cipriani family tradition.

The restaurant continues to serve signature Cipriani specialties alongside classic Venetian dishes, while the restored gardens are once again filled with roses and flowering plants.

There are also vegetable gardens and a vine-covered pergola supported by columns of pink marble. Together, these details reinforce the feeling that guests are not staying in a conventional luxury hotel, but in a private Italian home hidden away in the middle of the lagoon.

A Different Kind of Luxury Just Outside Venice

Perhaps the absence of spectacle is precisely the greatest luxury Locanda Cipriani offers today.

While one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations lies only a short boat ride away, on Torcello luxury means a garden, silence, the light of the lagoon and a hotel with just ten rooms.

“Torcello is a place that invites you to slow down and simply listen,” explains Giuseppe Cipriani.

Almost 90 years later, that simple idea remains the greatest strength of this historic Venetian retreat. The restored Locanda Cipriani is not trying to become something new – its greatest luxury lies in the fact that it has managed to remain what it has always been.

Rates start at approximately $860 per night.