In short… A beautiful new hotel in a 16th-century Palladian convent on the island of Giudecca which, with its massive grounds, feels more like a resort than a city hotel.
The surroundings… Giudecca feels like an escape. It’s a largely residential island, but is very well connected. The hotel has its own private dock out front, with two boats that are constantly making the ~10-minute trip to and from Piazza San Marco, so you’re never waiting on either side. The only other luxury hotel on the island is Cipriani, just a few minutes’ walk away. Unlike Venice’s historic center, where you’re jostling against other travelers navigating the narrow quarters, this island has a wide walkway called a fondamenta (a wide sidewalk with buildings on one side and water on the other). There is nothing like a morning walk down the fondamenta, seeing the old men with their fishing rods, looking across to Dorsoduro and San Marco and feeling like you’re seeing Venice without the masses.
The history… The complex was conceived in the 16th century by Venetian noblewomen who wanted to create a safe haven for young women—to house, educate, and give them work in their renowned lace-making atelier. Andrea Palladio designed the buildings while the church, Santa Maria della Presentazione (also known as Le Zitelle, which means “the spinsters”) was built just after his death.
The vibe… We were there within the first month of their opening, and, as it’s Airelles’ first outpost in Italy, it employs a lot of French staff, which makes it feel more French than Italian (more bonjours in the morning than buongiornos!). The decor also leans that way, as they hired Christophe Tollemer, a French architect and designer, who drew on incredible Venetian ateliers like Fortuny, Murano, and Rubelli to execute his vision. Ultimately, the mix of Palladian with French touches is unexpected and very chic.
The rooms… The hotel’s 45 rooms are spread out across three buildings: Palladio, Villa Frollo, and Conventino, all very generous in their size. We stayed in Palladio and had a fantastic view of the lagoon, a big living area, large bathroom with a great tub, and a cozy bedroom.
The decor of each room is different, with a mix of terrazo flooring, wood, and tile throughout, all filled with art and antiques and a mix of Venetian design touches like Murano glass and Rubelli fabrics.
The food & drink… When I read that the hotel’s two restaurants were Matsuhisa and ABC Kitchen, I was worried. It is not my thing to eat in a restaurant that comes from somewhere else—I always want the local vibe in the hotel I’m staying at. My one exception is Matsuhisa. I’ve gone out of my way for it in Athens, and because I ended up catching a cold while here, I ended up eating here two nights in a row. Night one was just divine. First off, endless pours of Dom Perignon. Yes, I was on cold meds and no, I shouldn’t have been drinking—but how can you say no to that? The fish was exquisite; the staff was so warm and genuinely excited to be there. We had plans on our second night to go to dinner in the center, but ended up inviting our friends to come to us so I didn’t have to move around. It turned out to be the place to be: every chic Venetian I knew was there that night, and it was a great crowd. Breakfast is a beautiful buffet with pastries by Cedric Grolet, which looked heavenly, and all types of cheeses and charcuterie. We loved their fresh-pressed juices and the fruit was truly excellent. In late June, their third restaurant will open, helmed by Italian chef Norbert Niederkofler (a three-star Michelin awarded chef from the Dolomites), who will bring his sustainable “cook the lagoon” approach to the new restaurant Villa Frollo by Norbert Niederkofler.
The wellness… There are two pools—one outdoor in the garden and an indoor one that is a part of the spa complex (1700 square meters!), which has a large sauna, infrared sauna, hammam, and one of the largest cold plunges I’ve seen that isn’t a body of water. Both my husband and I had 90-minute massages and afterwards kept comparing whose was better.
Super intense deep tissue, but not too strong. The gym itself wasn’t finished so the equipment was put in the future kids’ club. The spa has a partnership with Guerlain and Rossano Ferretti HairSpa.
Is it family-friendly? It has a giant enclosed garden with a huge lawn (one hectare, which is 2.5 acres!) right in front of the outdoor restaurant and bar—so it’s perfect for kids who want to get up from the table and run around on the grass. That’s a huge plus given that throughout so much of Venice, parents have to be mindful of kids getting too close to the canals—and space is tight. The kids club wasn’t open yet, but just the fact that they have one—it’s not so common.
The details… I loved the Venetian mule slippers that are left in the room in your size—perfect for padding around the cold terrazzo floors. I also like that in their lobby area they have an elegant display of hibiscus tea and mint/lemon water along with champagne for guests.
Be sure to…Ask if they are doing a tour of the church via the secret entrance from the hotel bar.
Date of stay…May 20-22, 2026
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