Set on one of the Venetian lagoon’s most remote and contemplative islands, Locanda Cipriani reopened in June 2026, ushering in a renewed chapter for this storied retreat. Under the careful direction and vision of the Cipriani family, the restoration preserves the soul of the place while refining it into a new expression of understated elegance: an address for those drawn to authenticity, discretion and stillness.
The story begins in the summer of 1936, when Giuseppe Cipriani, captivated by Torcello during a boat excursion, fell in love with the island and acquired a modest wine bar that would gradually evolve into an inn, officially opening in 1947. From its earliest days, Locanda Cipriani became a sanctuary for travellers in search of peace, privacy and genuine hospitality. Over time, it welcomed artists and writers, including Ernest Hemingway, who found here a secluded haven immersed in the lagoon’s elemental beauty. Today, this legacy remains intact, carried forward with sensitivity, restraint and an unwavering sense of authenticity.
The interiors and suite redesign, developed in collaboration with Fabrizio Cocchi Studio, enrich this contemporary interpretation of Venetian elegance. The design approach emphasizes material authenticity, refined simplicity and a respectful dialogue with the historic identity of the Locanda, blending heritage with modern comfort.
Locanda Cipriani is an intimate ten-suite retreat on the island of Torcello, offering direct water access, enchanting private gardens, and a signature restaurant. Just a short boat ride across the Venetian lagoon from Venice, it offers a secluded escape where heritage, nature, and understated luxury meet. Each space blends timeless Venetian elegance with thoughtful contemporary comfort. The suites, overlooking gardens, canals or the open horizons of the lagoon, are conceived as serene compositions of light and space, where simplicity becomes an aesthetic language. Exposed antique beams and desks, bespoke handcrafted furnishings and delicate Murano glass lighting define interiors shaped by a natural, tactile palette. Some accommodations open onto private terraces or panoramic rooftops, offering suspended perspectives between water and sky.
The property comprises one Deluxe Room and nine suites, each reflecting a different interpretation of the island’s atmosphere. Rooms are expressed through three distinctive moods: the Red Rooms on the ground floor, defined by rich marble and deep tones; the Green Rooms, also on the ground floor, opening onto lush gardens; and the Blue Rooms on the upper floor, offering tranquil views over the shimmering Venetian Lagoon.
The accommodations at Locanda Cipriani offer a serene blend of Venetian heritage and understated luxury. Deluxe Rooms provide an intimate retreat with tranquil canal views, while the Garden Suites feature spacious living areas and direct access to the property's lush gardens. The Canal Suites pair elegant Venetian furnishings, Murano glass lighting, and marble bathrooms with unique canal-front settings, and the expansive Torcello Suites offer private terraces, separate living rooms, and sweeping views of the island, canal, and gardens, creating the ultimate peaceful escape.
Cuisine reflects the island’s intrinsic character, rooted in Venetian and lagoon traditions alongside Cipriani signatures. The menu follows the rhythm of the seasons and the surrounding territory, celebrating local ingredients such as Torcello’s prized castraure artichokes, moeche soft-shell crabs, fresh fish and wild herbs.
At the heart of the property lies its private vegetable garden, the green soul of the Locanda, supplying daily harvested produce and aromatic herbs. From this vantage point, views open onto the island’s defining landmarks—the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and the Church of Santa Fosca—creating a quiet dialogue between nature, history and architecture.
Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the Venetian lagoon through a selection of authentic, curated experiences, from traditional Voga alla Veneta rowing aboard a classic wooden boat with a local vogatore to encounters with moecanti fishermen harvesting seasonal moeche. On Torcello, guided walks reveal the island’s gardens, historic churches and artisanal heritage, while experiences extend to Burano with private introductions to traditional lace-making at the Dalla Lidia atelier, and to Murano through a glassblowing masterclass celebrating Venice’s iconic craft.
One of the earliest settlements of Venetian civilization, Torcello retains a rare, suspended atmosphere far removed from contemporary rhythms. Here, time expands, offering an experience that feels both intimate and elemental. Within this setting, Locanda Cipriani reaffirms its role as a place of return and belonging, where hospitality is expressed through thoughtful gestures, impeccable service and an unwavering sense of authenticity.
Image courtesy of Locanda Cipriani
