Live like a Doge

The posh Hotel Gritti Palace in Venice, Italy

Gritti Palace

You could argue that there are more flash five-star hotels (largely those lining the bacino San Marco), but if you're looking for old school glamour and the classic luxury address on the Grand Canal, it's got to be the Gritti.

In the 16th century, this was the palace of Doge Andrea Gritti, who set the precedent for the caliber of guests to come over the centuries: from international royalty and captains of industry to literary gaints and rock stars. Antiques in the classic, 18th century Venetian style proliferate. So long as you're going all out, plump for a room on the piano nobile (the old "nobles' floor") with its high stuccoed ceilings and overwrought chandeliers; three of its suites have balconies hung over the Grand Canal itself.

Like its now-sister hotel, the Danieli, there a free hourly shuttle boat to the Westin Excelsior on the Lido, Venice's beach-island.

San Marco 2467, Campo del Traghetto/Campo Santa Maria Zobenigo

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