The Grand Canal winds its way through the heart of Unesco-protected Venice, and it is in one of the gracious palazzos lining this historic waterway that the 24-suite Aman Venice is housed. The ancestral home of the Arrivabene family, Palazzo Papadopoli was built in the 16th century, and offers an unusual feature in this floating city – two beautiful gardens.Guests usually arrive by boat, docking at a landing that leads directly into the palazzo’s Reception Hall. From here, a sweeping staircase rises through two levels to the piano nobile, the grandest floor of any palazzo. At the top of the stairs, the vestibule leads to an elegant lounge in what was once the ballroom, with a balcony overlooking the Grand Canal. In the Yellow Dining Room adjacent, Aman’s signature Italian restaurant Arva claims sweeping Grand Canal views and a ceiling painted by Cesare Rotta. The convivial Bar overlooks the Canal Garden and is the perfect spot to watch the colours changing on the canal at sunset. Private dining can be enjoyed in the Blue Dining Room or the Palazzo Kitchen, while alfresco dining is offered in the Canal Garden. On the fourth level of the palazzo is the lofty-ceilinged Salon with views of the Grand Canal; Stanza del Tiepolo, the games room; Stanza del Guarana, the meeting room; and the Library, which houses a selection of antique books from Count Arrivabene’s private collection. Additional facilities include a serene spa, small gym and a roof terrace with breathtaking views. Almost all of Aman Venice’s 24 guestrooms and suites overlook the Grand Canal, and many feature unique architectural and artistic features – from painted frescoes to carved fireplaces – by greats such as Tiepolo and Sansovino. Furniture and furnishings throughout the rooms are contemporary, yet redolent of the palazzo’s storied past.
