Five Star Hotel in Venice

The San Clemente Palace

Godfrey and I wanted somewhere extra special. Being in our late sixties, we are no longer really into roughing it and prefer being pampered in a hotel offering a touch more luxury.

The San Clemente Palace was just the ticket—a splendid five-star hotel on its own little island and only a short boat journey away from St. Mark's Square.

Don't think you have to get a gondola or taxi either. The hotel has a free little shuttle boat that goes up and down from the island to St Marks. It heads out every twenty minutes, and the trip over to Venice only takes ten minutes. This is a convenient and stress-free way to explore the city and take in the sights without having to worry about getting lost or dealing with the crowds.

But it's not just the transportation that makes St. Clemente such a special place to stay. The luxury and pampering that I experienced here was second to none, with beautifully appointed rooms, exceptional service, and a range of amenities designed to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

The hotel's gardens are a particular highlight, with lush greenery, fragrant flowers, and winding paths that lead to hidden corners and peaceful nooks. I am a bit of a gardener myself, and I really must complement the hotel gardener; he truly does know what he is doing. I loved my morning and evening walks around these delightful gardens. Venice doesn't have many parks, so being able to enjoy Venice and nature was a joy that can only be experienced by staying here.

The luxury and pampering were just like in the old days. It was very romantic too—even if we aren't that young anymore, we still do appreciate a little romance. I mean, who doesn't? It would be just perfect for a young couple on honeymoon too! 

The staff could not have been more helpful—really going out of their way to help us, and the boats into town were wonderful, as were their tips on places to eat in Venice itself.

I really felt that I had become part of a Canaletto painting—the setting is just magical.  I thought it would be the perfect sort of hotel for one of those White Lotus seasons.

Top marks to the hotel and all the staff for making us feel so special again!!

Godfrey and Catherine

Andrew's reply: Thank you very much for your lovely review. I really do appreciate it when people take the time to share their experiences with me and Maria.

The San Clemente is a very good hotel and romantic for sure. Let's face it, no one is ever too old for a little bit of romance.

Personally, although I normally prefer to be right in the hustle and bustle of Venice, with months like July and August now seeing overwhelming numbers of tourists, I can well understand the attraction of getting your fill of the crowds of Venice and then escaping to a tranquil island of luxury.

For a list of all of my favorite hotels in Venice, why not click through to Maria's site on Venice and the Veneto?

If you would like to book this hotel or to find out how others have rated it click here.