Venice

Secreted away on Giudecca Island is the glamorous, lagoon-facing Belmond Hotel Cipriani. — Afar Magazine

Guests at the Gritti Palace on the Grand Canal don't have to leave their balconies to go sightseeing: this landmark 1525 doge’s palace sports Landmark Grand Canal rooms with Rubelli silk damask lining, antique fainting couches, stucco ceilings, hand-painted vanities and bathrooms sheathed in rare marble. — Lonely Planet

Don't let the modern lobby throw you. This inn, just a few blocks from Piazza San Marco, is one of the top deluxe hotels in town and the only one not owned by a large chain. — Frommer's

A doge of a deal near the Grand Canal, steps from San Stae vaporetto stop, with prime dining nearby and in-house Turkish bath. — Lonely Planet

The Londra Palace is located on bustling Riva degli Schiavoni, close to St Mark's Square and with views that are the envy of other Venice hotels. — The Telegraph

17th-century palazzo with a courtyard garden. — Travel + Leisure

"A beautifully renovated" palace with a pink facade on the Grand Canal, it once belonged to Nicolò Sagredo, Venice’s ambassador to Rome in the seventeenth century. — Condé Nast Traveler

George and Amal Clooney spent their wedding night at this ultra-luxurious 1500s palace hotel on the Grand Canal, so it’s probably safe to assume that it’s fancy enough for the rest of us. — Time Out

Guests get plenty of personal attention at this intimate, family-managed property, and the free breakfast includes homemade pastries, crepes, eggs, fruit, and cold cuts. — Oyster

In a 15th-century palazzo, this hotel has little remaining period decor, with the exception of the original frescoes and stucco decorations in the conference room. — Time Out

In one of Venice's busiest and most scenic locations, this property fronts the promenade along the Grand Canal, just beyond St. Mark's Square. — Star Service

One of the most sumptuous hotels in Venice since 1822. — Frommer's

With two lovely gardens flanked by canals, and an old-fashioned air in a less-touristy zone, the three-star Pensione Accademia — Villa Maravege has a genteel, throw-back charm. — The Telegraph

Sporting a boho-chic look, the Novocento is a real charmer. Its nine individually designed rooms ooze style with Turkish kilim pillows, Fortuny draperies and 19th-century carved bedsteads. — Lonely Planet

Historic hotel that offers an upscale environment in a prime location near St. Mark's Square, and the price reflects that. — Oyster

This amalgamation of the former Hotel Britannia and Hotel Regina is easily one of Venice's still-undiscovered gems. — Fodor's

A romantic canal-side sleeper, the Hotel La Calcina offers 27 antique-filled rooms, many with views. — EuroCheapo

A special haven well away from the bustle of Venice, the luxury San Clemente has its own island, complete with vast gardens, swimming pool and conference and fitness centre. — DK Eyewitness

The garden is the first thing that strikes you on arriving at this beautifully restored palazzo. — DK Eyewitness

Brooding, moody Art Deco interiors set the sexy tone at this boutique hotel right on the Grand Canal. — Gayot