The Westin Europa & Regina Venice

BACKGROUND Built from five historical 17th century palaces, The Westin Europa & Regina sits at the beginning of the Grand Canal. Offering unrivalled views to some of Venice’s most spectacular sights – including the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and the Punta delia Dogana – the hotel is located right in the heart of the art and theatre district, Valle XXII Marzo. Streets nearby are lined with Italian luxury labels such as Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and Zegna, while the tourist hub of Piazza San Marco is a five-minute walk away. Guests may want to arrive via water taxi to the hotel’s dedicated canal mooring, or brave the maze of quiet back streets that lead to its land entrance. WHAT’S IT LIKE? A stunning location. The canalside terraces of the bar and restaurant are among the longest and best in Venice and provide an excellent setting to watch the world go by (and see the Instagram generation snapping at passing gondolas). The hotel itself is large – by Venetian standards – featuring a grand lobby waiting area and inside bar. It’s tastefully decorated, but there’s not much of the 17th century décor left. ROOM FACILITIES While rooms are slightly on the plainer side when compared to the historic big-name rivals close by – namely the Gritti Palace, Hotel Danieli and Belmond Hotel Cipriani – they do have a certain charm (helped in part by the excellent view). The Westin also boasts one of the best varieties of rooms in the city, hidden amidst a warren of corridors; the result of a hotel built from five separate palaces dating from the 17th–19th centuries. The best rooms overlook the Grand Canal, with bigger suites offering rooftop terraces that let you see the city beyond. I stayed in a Premium Deluxe Double room – styled with ivory coloured velvet silks and silktrimmed drapes (meant to look like gondola poles). Surely one of the largest outside of a suite – it fit a fully-sized sofa, double bed, coffee table, desk and an armchair with room to spare – it features a variety of contemporary touches including international power sockets. Like the room, the marble bathroom too was incredibly spacious (it even had it’s own seat). It featured a generous bath along with separate shower cubicle. Italian fashion label Etro took care of the toiletries, adding to the overall classy feel. RESTAURANTS AND BARS Bar Tiepolo is certainly one of the atmospheric drinking establishments in all of Venice. Styled to look like a Venetian Salon of old, it offers a range of classic cocktails in an intimate environment. The waterfront terrace is one of the best in the city, with picture-perfect views of the sun-setting behind the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute on the other side of the canal. It’s certainly worth a visit before dinner, at the hotel’s Restaurant La Cusina.

Chef Albert Fol has been in charge of this delightful eatery since 2008. Styled in white and black marble, the restaurant is equally suited to nights on the open-air terrace when its warm, or inside the cozy dining room when rain falls. Dishes strive to combine the best of local, seasonal food, with flamboyant plating. Dishes are as easy on the eyes as they are on the pallet.

Healthy eating underscores the Westin brand. As such, expect a range of SuperFoodsRx dishes at lunch and dinner – meals packed with nutrients created with help from doctors and nutritionists – as well as a large number of juices at breakfast. MEETING FACILITIES The Westin has a large selection of meeting and reception spaces, some with stunning water views. Uniquely suited to a gala dinner, themed party or wedding, the large venue can accommodate meetings of up to 120 participants or receptions of up to 250 attendees. LEISURE FACILITIES One of the biggest draws of Venice is the Grand Canal, and The Westin Europa & Regina has a gondola station practically on its doorstep. The art district, Venice Opera House and St. Mark’s Square are five minutes away. If you don’t fancy a trip outdoors, the rooms are more than are big enough to accommodate the in-room spa service. Emma Hodgson