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LUXURY INTERVIEW BY MATTEO MILANESCHI

IS WHEN YOU Venice's The Gritti Palace Hotel General Manager,

DON'T Paolo Lorenzoni. Photo: Rian Davidson

FORGET

Situated on Venice’s Grand Canal in a noble fifteenth-century residence,

The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is a treasure chest of art
and beauty frequented by the world’s most exclusive clientele. General

Manager Paolo Lorenzoni gives us a tour of the tapestries and marbles of
its time-honored splendor.

Matteo Milaneschi: Directing one of the world, cultural figures such as William Somer- MM: A dock reserved for the hotel’s Riva
most alluring and exclusive luxury hotels in set Maugham and Peggy Guggenheim, and runabout, a fantastic cocktail sipped in the
the world’s most beautiful city, a stone’s throw stars of cinema such as Marcello Mastroianni comfort of the Riva Lounge overlooking the
from La Fenice and Piazza San Marco, what and Paul Newman. Ernest Hemingway loved Grand Canal, arrival directly at the hotel by
does it mean to be the steward of such beauty staying with us; he wrote a few pages of Across sea . . . it sounds like an exclusive dream.
and charm? the River and into the Trees here. He was fond of PL: Usually, in big cities, the important
Paolo Lorenzoni: It is a pleasant respon- spending hours in a gondola, covering great di- hotels offer luxurious service cars. As soon as
sibility, the result of choices and intuitions. I stances, and it was on one of these excursions I started thinking about restoring the palace,
came to Gritti Palace in 2009 after being ge- that he probably came up with the idea of “Re- my dream was to have a Riva. I had the good
neral manager of the Westin Excelsior on Via medy Risotto,” a special recipe with scampi fortune of meeting Alberto Galassi not long
Veneto in Rome. I moved from the 320 rooms and shellfish bisque to counter the effects of too afterwards, and we immediately saw eye to
of the Excelsior to a hotel with only 91 rooms much alcohol. A stay at Gritti means regaining eye, an understanding that was consolidated
that required total renovation. But it was preci- control of your time, being part of these incre- with the purchase of the legendary Aquariva
sely during the restoration work that I realized dible stories. runabout. No other hotel in Venice has a Riva.
the exclusive value of this place, of all the peo- Aquariva is a timeless gem reserved for the
ple and stories it has hosted, and the very deep MM: From the recent acquisition of the guests in our suites. They can use it for gui-
bonds that have been forged between guests portrait of Doge Andrea Gritti and the work ded tours to points in the Lagoon such as Pel-
and staff. There are loyal guests who have been by a member of Titian’s school to chef Danie- lestrina, Chioggia, Burano, or San Francesco
coming to the Gritti since the 1950s and now le Turco’s menu inspired by sixteenth-century del Deserto, or for excursions on the open sea.
come with their children and grandchildren. manuscripts: how important is it to maintain a The terrace of the Riva Lounge, with its se-
The Gritti Palace is all of this, an exclusive bridge between past and present? lection of special cocktails and its luxurious
club steeped in art and exceptional elegance, PL: The rationale of today’s Gritti has been Riva seats, evoking the prow of a boat, is an
but one that has succeeded in preserving an in- developed based on an analysis of historical exceptionally frequented place, not only by the
timate, family feel. documents and in response to ideas supplied hotel’s long-time clientele, but also by young
by our dearest guests. The new hotel includes millennials who come to the city in search of
MM: More than 500 years of history and a the discerning use of modern technologies that old and new art: a gathering place for an ape-
guest book bearing many an illustrious signa- have made the hotel more efficient and envi- ritif, a lunch, or an evening cocktail, a place
ture. Directing a hotel means knowing the vir- ronmentally friendly. But as regards restora- to strike up relations and share ideas while
tues and vices of all. Are there any secrets you tion of the interiors we trusted only the city’s enjoying the spectacular view of the basili-
could share with us? historically most accomplished artisans, every ca of Santa Maria della Salute. Riva and The
PL: Our special guest list is jealously kept detail has been handcrafted with care accor- Gritti Palace are two Italian jewels that share
in the Golden Book of dedications. Internatio- ding to strict criteria. This is because staying at the same quest for excellence, always ready to
nally famous artists and celebrities have been the Gritti is, above all, a memorable experience meet the needs of a demanding, elegant,
here, politicians and queens from all over the that will inspire and fulfill our guests’ desires. and international clientele.

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