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For a resort-like getaway, book at this iconic hotel on the island of Giudecca, a five-minute boat ride from San Marco. With its ninety-five beautifully appointed rooms and suites, a spa offering La Prairie treatments, lushly planted gardens and an Olympic-size swimming pool, the Cipriani is as luxurious as it gets in Venice. All rooms are traditional in decor and were designed with comfort in mind. At 183 square feet, the standard rooms are smaller than the suites but still roomy, with views of the hotel’s garden.

The Cipriani has long prided itself on creating one-of-a-kind suites, most notably the two-room Dogeressa, with four Gothic-style windows that perfectly frame perspectives of St. Mark’s Cathedral. The sumptuous Palladio Suite, which can be booked as a one- or two-bedroom, faces the lagoon and has a private heated plunge pool overlooking the water. When you’re relaxing in the living room, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling windows, you feel as if you were floating on your own Venetian ship. Families might consider a room in the hotel’s Palazzo Vendramin, whose suites come with kitchenettes.

Indagare Tip: During the siesta time, typically from 2:00-4:00pm, parents are kindly asked not to take their children to the swimming pool. The hotel offers a seasonal Smile Club, typically from 11:00am to 5:00pm, which provides a supervised playtime for children to come and enjoy some time together.

Editor’s Note: The world-famous Cipriani is looking better than ever after undergoing four years of property renovations. Thanks to a reduction of rooms in the San Marco wing, accommodations are generally lighter and more spacious with larger windows, balconies and terraces. Parisian designer Michel Jounnet revamped fifty rooms and suites with modern touches while remaining true to their original concept. Highlights include fabrics by Fortuny & Rubelli, hand-made stuccos, and Murano glass lamps and chandeliers. I stayed in one of the new pool suites equipped with a lush private garden opening onto the hotel’s picture-perfect pool. Another favorite was the Executive Junior Suite category, which offers a balcony overlooking the Lagoon. ~BH MAY 2012

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Part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, the Danieli is one of the world’s most famous hotels. It is comprised of three striking palazzi, the original of which belonged to the noble Dandolo family. Four of the Dandolos served as Doges of Venice; most famously Enrico, who returned from conquering Constantinople in 1204 and eventually incorporated some of the artful bounty he brought back into the interiors of the palazzo. Today’s Danieli (it’s been a hotel since the 1820s) is located next to the fabled Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Film buffs will recognize the interiors as those featured in The Tourist, with Angelina Jolie).

A special highlight are four exquisite new suites that were designed by acclaimed Pierre-Yves Rochon and were unveiled in Palazzo Dandolo in November 2012. Few places in Venice can match the splendor of the views, which encompass the Riva degli Schiavoni, Grand Canal and the lagoon’s islands. Not to be missed is Restaurant Terrazza Danieli, one of the city’s most romantic dining gems on the rooftop of the hotel.