Hotel Excelsior, Venice Lido

Having welcomed the great and good of Europe since 1908, The Hotel Excelsior offers old-world charm on the golden sands Venice Lido. It’s an intimate setting, showcased by elegant rooms, a trio of fine-dining restaurants and its very own private beach. It’s no wonder that it hosted the very first Venice Film Festival back in 1932. Don’t worry, though, despite its seclusion, the city’s charms are just a short ride away in the complimentary luxury launch.

Befitting its century-long history, the Hotel Excelsior evokes all the grandeur of Venice’s golden age with a distinct Moorish aesthetic. Indeed, its turn-of-the-century construction put the Lido on the map, with the help of eminent architect Giovanni Sardi. It’ll come as no surprise that its rooms have impressed the likes of Winston Churchill and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

Indeed, all the accommodation is dressed in the hotel’s signature Art-Nouveau style, featuring silk-panelled walls, full-length mirrors and views of either the fountain courtyard or the glittering sea. The suites, some with terraces, are especially impressive.

Views are also showcased by the hotel’s superb menu of restaurants. Start your day with made-to-order eggs and fresh pastries on the terrace before perhaps pairing cocktails with Mediterranean favourites at the Elimar Beach Bar. Then, you might want to cap it all off with Ristorante Tropicana’s Italian fine dining, served beneath grand glass chandeliers. Of course, it’s all washed down by a fantastic selection of bars.

You’ll want to also spend some time at the hotel’s private beach club, relaxing on the golden sands or with one of the private cabanas. There are water sports, too, with the windsurfing and water-skiing particular highlights. There’s also golf to be played at the nearby courses, while Venice’s historic delights are, as always, only a complimentary shuttle launch away.