A picturesque retreat from the hustle of Venice yet still with reach of all its charms, San Clemente Palace Kempinski offers the best of the lagoon city with its historical style and impeccable service.
Traveller: Nardia Plumridge
Room: Grand Deluxe Room Garden View
Address: Isola di San Clemente, 1, Venice Italy
Date: October 2022
Price range: from €500 including breakfast and tax
Best for: Leisure traveller who appreciates attention to the finer detail
Location
A private island in the lagoon of Venice, San Clemente Palace Kempinski is a short boat ride to all the main tourist attractions from the hub of Piazza San Marco. A former monastery, at its centre is San Clemente Church, built in the 12th century and surrounded by 17 acres of lush gardens. Inside the restored buildings are 196 rooms and suites brought back to life in the grandeur of a Renaissance palace.
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Within a short walk you can find
The island grounds are easy to explore on free bicycles jotted through the gardens. Take two wheel to discover the outdoor swimming pool, small golf putting area and the hotel spa. Venture further afield to the main islands of Venice via a complimentary wood panel private water taxi that nips between the hotel and Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) in a thrilling 10-minute ride. Then you have all the beauty of Venice at your feet. From St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs and the quant laneways to roam and shop the high-end Italian fashion brands.
Claim to fame
One of the only hotels in Venice to boast its own private island, the grounds are palatial and seeped in history. San Clemente church dates back to 1131 and yes, you can get married here today by way of a civil ceremony. Inside the main buildings, long corridors are decorated in a classic Venetian style with antiques, ornate wooden furniture, and delicate Murano glass chandeliers. It’s elegant and refined to the highest standards.
Long corridors are decorated in a classic Venetian style © San Clemente Palace Kempinski
The showstopper
Being arm’s length from the crowds yet only 10 minutes away from the key Venice attractions makes San Clemente Palace Kempinski the ultimate Venice retreat. And the arrival by boat starts the experience before you step foot on the island. Be greeted by attentive staff at the dock who help you disembark the boat and walk you through check-in. Once in the building, long corridors and grand staircases are part of the palatial interiors that were painstakingly restored in 2017. While mature gardens and hidden courtyards merely add to the hotel’s magical charms.
The room
The Venetian Renaissance styling continues in the bedrooms with its sumptuous styling, silk fabric-covered walls, and oversized windows offering leafy garden views. A king-sized bed is dressed in sumptuous textiles in taupe and light greens. An Italian marble bathroom has a bathtub/shower combination with terrazzo floors. A writing desk and two-seater sofa offer spaces to work or relax. On the coffee table, a bottle of San Clemente red wine and a fruit platter makes for a warm welcome.
Venetian Renaissance styling continues in the bedrooms © San Clemente Palace Kempinski
Amenity game
Florentine fashion brand Ferragamo features in the bathroom with its scent of classic Italy – citrus with delicate jasmine, cypress, and cashmere wood notes create an elegant fragrance to match the room.
Beyond the rooms
A large outdoor heated swimming pool, modern gym with the latest fitness machines, tennis court, 1,500m outdoor jogging path and the pitch-and-putt course are all on hand. As are bikes jotted throughout the garden which you can take to explore the grounds and those lagoon views. Three restaurants cater to all tastes. From the dinner only fine dining at Acquerello Restaurant. To the poolside La Dolce Restaurant with seasonal Italian dishes, grills, and wood oven pizza. An indulgent breakfast buffet is served at Insieme Restaurant which has a serene courtyard ideal in the summer months.
Dish to dine for
Acquerello Restaurant dishes are inspired by delicacies from the Adriatic Sea in modern Venetian style by Executive Chef Massimo Iivan. Awarded “Best Italian Restaurant in Europe” by Haute Grandeur Awards, Acquerello creates many of its dishes using vegetables and herbs grown right on the island.
A tasting menu is an optimum way to work through Iivan’s talents all paired with San Clemente Wines. Or peruse the extensive wine list that has labels from a breath of Italian vineyards. A raw fish entree includes wild salmon sprayed with a vanilla atomiser; handmade ravioli pasta and purple potato gnocchi arrive on the plate as pretty as a Venice Biennale artwork. On balmy evenings ask for a table on the patio overlooking the lagoon towards the tower of San Marco.
Spa life
The award-winning spa offers treatments using oils made with ancient oriental traditions that came to Venice by the merchants over the centuries. A wet area boasts a sauna, steam bath, and showers with indoor loungers to rest in between. A luxurious couples suite comes with its own jacuzzi bathtub, and a hair salon is ideal for a pre-dinner appointment. They also offer massages in the outdoor spa cabanas by the pool.
A luxurious couples suite comes with a jacuzzi bathtub © San Clemente Palace Kempinski
Staying in
If you are needing a day away from the tourist sites, you can easily spend it indulging in San Clemente Palace Kempinski. Start with a morning poolside on a sun lounger before a spot of lunch from La Dolce Restaurant. Then a Spa treatment in an outdoor cabana. Pre-dinner drinks at Clemente Bar with its Great Gatsby-styled splendour before working through the tasting menu at Acquerello Restaurant at a table under the imposing church facade.
Stepping out
Head to San Marco as your base to explore the six neighbourhoods of Venice. Within the piazza are historic cafes like Florian and Harry’s Bar with al fresco dining that’s made for people watching. Take a boat ride to the island of Murano famous for its glass-making. Ask the hotel concierge about the free boat to this quaint island to see the glass artisans at work. Then tour the shop with its incredible collection of chandeliers, vases, and other glass items that can be shipped to your home.
The family factor
A dedicated kids’ club and poolside restaurant with a children’s menu, plus all those acres of gardens to play, make this a fantastic family hotel in Venice. Especially in a city where space is rare. Some neighbouring suites share a private door to interconnect rooms that make for a large family apartment.
Before booking
The property is open from March to October and then closes for the winter. In late August/early September the Venice Film Festival takes place and is busy with film movers and shakers. While from May to November the Venice Biennale happens every two years – the next is 2024.
Insiders’ tips
San Clemente Palace Kempinski is part of the Leading Hotels of the World with members of this loyalty program often saving up to 20% on room rates. A stay for 4, pay for 3 nights offer is also worthwhile if you are in Venice for a little longer than a night or two. Also, look into offers via the Kempinski loyalty card. The concierge service, The Ladies in Red, can help you with any request. They also offer tours of the church and grounds – so ask if you have time.
I wish I could take home
One of the magnificent Murano glass vases that are on display in San Clemente Church. The hotel hosts artists and has artistic works in the hotel halls and within the garden grounds that add a little contemporary flair to what is a classically beautiful hotel.
V&T expert rating
9 of 10 – Be transported to the magic of Venice at San Clemente Palace Kempinski. Its space, stunning historical detail, and impeccable service, plus ease to explore the main tourist attractions, make it the perfect retreat.
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