The return of a travel icon

Much like The Savoy in London or the Ritz in Paris, the Danieli in Venice is one of those rare hotels that is as storied as the city itself.

The building has stood on the edge of the Venetian Lagoon since 1471, when it was constructed as a gothic palace for the noble Dandolo family. Now, after an extensive restoration, it begins another chapter as a Four Seasons hotel.

Historic ceilings have been painstakingly restored, Murano glass and terrazzo remain central to the design, while a palette inspired by the Venetian Lagoon brings a lighter, more contemporary feel without erasing the building’s past.

It reopens with 120 rooms and suites, which will eventually expand to 168 once work on the adjoining Palazzo Danieli Excelsior is completed next year.

Many rooms frame the lagoon, canals or terracotta rooftops, while discreet technology has been strategically woven into the property without sacrificing the building’s historic character.

Situated on the Riva degli Schiavoni and just moments from Piazza San Marco, the Danieli occupies one of the best positions in Venice. The rooftop Terrazza Danieli remains one of the city’s great dining stages, with uninterrupted views across the lagoon towards San Giorgio Maggiore.

While Venice certainly isn’t short of beautiful places to stay, very few properties carry the same weight of history or sense of occasion as the Danieli. It’s the kind of place many of us dream about staying at long before booking a room.

Visit fourseasons.com for more information.