VENICE'S HIDDEN GEM HOTEL IS A TRANQUIL HAVEN ON A PRIVATE ISLAND
Set amid olive trees and pockets of peace, the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa is one of the best resorts in Venice, as voted by T+L readers. Here’s what it’s like to visit.
Venice is one of the most visually impactful cities in Europe. Even if you’ve never visited in person, you’ll recognize the winding canals, gondolas, and photogenic bridges that have been part of its culture and identity for centuries. Given the history and romance surrounding Venezia, it’s one of the more popular places to visit in Italy — with nearly 4 million international travelers making their way to the collection of islands in 2022 alone, ultimately leading to the introduction of sustainability and over-tourism measures (see: a day-trip fee and a limit on tour group sizes) to protect the ancient city.
On a recent trip to the City of Water, one of its many nicknames, I decided to forgo the crowds of the main island and stay on the quieter Isola Delle Rose. A private island just a short 20-minute boat ride from Piazza San Marco, it’s home to JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, which Travel & Leisure readers voted one of the city’s best hotels in the 2023 World’s Best Awards.
The location is certainly a key aspect of the property’s appeal, providing guests with a tranquil retreat from the most congested parts of Venice via a complimentary shuttle service. “We want [guests] to feel at home, where they can relax, unwind, and have world-class amenities at their fingertips,” says general manager Cristiano Cabutti. Those amenities include several restaurants, a rooftop bar, swimming pools, a spa, a rose garden, and a 100-tree olive grove, which guests can stroll at their leisure. Together, these features give the resort, brought to life by the Italian architect and designer Matteo Thun, a steady heartbeat and a holistic approach to hospitality.
While the five-star, 266-room and suite hotel isn’t for every type of traveler — I’d suggest a smaller boutique property for solo travelers or those searching for a more lively or immersive experience — its kid-friendly amenities, waterfront spa, and proximity to Venice’s attractions make it an excellent option for families, or those visitors who may feel intimidated by crowds in the San Marco area. Travelers should note, though, that the resort is only open from March through November each year.
Read on for my review of JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa.
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
- A complimentary water taxi takes guests to and from the resort and Piazza San Marco.
- Rooms and suites are spread out between the main building, “The JW,” and four “JW Retreats,” one of which is the resort’s two-bedroom private villa.
- The fitness room is well-designed and well-appointed — weight machines, treadmills, free weights, etc.
- Overlooking the lagoon, JW Venice Spa boasts an indoor-outdoor pool, bio-sauna, and steam room.
- The innovative plates and elevated atmosphere at Agli Amici Dopolavoro, a dining concept led by Chef Emanuele Scarello, should be enjoyed at least once during your stay.
The Rooms
Accommodation options are vast and varied at JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, but all 266 rooms and suites have the same bright, modern decor with natural tones, accented by pops of light blue and pink to fit within the resort’s color scheme. Guests are welcome to book The JW rooms in the main building, but the JW Retreats are often more appealing, especially if you’re searching for relaxation. “We created a place where guests have access to more privacy, space, nature, and a home-from-home feeling,” says Cabutti, who notes that many of these more residential-style accommodations have gardens and private plunge pools. The star of the show, though, is Villa Rose, a two-bedroom standalone structure with a private pool and room enough for seven guests.
Food and Drink
As a traveler who makes it a point to dive into the local culinary “must-haves,” I was grateful to see the hotel’s eateries covered all the bases. I headed to the grab-and-go Dispensa Delicatessen on the morning of my arrival for a much-needed espresso. Then I went up to Sagra Rooftop Restaurant, where fresh pasta and seafood entrees populate the menu. The buffet breakfast at Cucina is particularly memorable, with an omelet station, bread, homemade butter, meats, cheeses, and pastries up for the taking. On my first night, I opted for pizza at the Saporè pop-up, but my final night on the island was reserved for Agli Amici Dopolavoro — a relatively new experience at JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa.
Chef Emanuele Scarello, whose Agli Amici in Godia has earned two Michelin stars, will join Agli Amici Dopolavoro for the 2024 season. Expect local ingredients and produce — some from the neighboring vegetable garden — transformed into the kind of tasting menu that encourages the savoring of every bite. The cocktail program is equally impressive and forward-thinking; if your server recommends a drink topped with olive oil made on-site, it’s in your taste buds’ best interest to accept the suggestion.
Activities and Amenities
“There's something for everyone,” says Cabutti, referencing the various activities and amenities guests can take part in while staying on the property. Along with a spa, two pools (a rooftop pool and a family pool), and a fitness center, the resort ensures guests can build out their trips with walks through the rose garden and the olive grove, morning runs on the jogging path, cooking classes at the on-site Sapori Cooking Academy, or a variety of tours the concierge team is happy to organize upon request.
The Spa
Located on the lagoon's edge and away from the busier parts of the resort, JW Venice Spa is one of the property’s top highlights. Before or after a massage or facial in one of the eight treatment rooms, guests can take a dip in the indoor-outdoor vitality pool, read a book on the chaise lounge chairs, or spend some time in the steam room or sauna. After researching the benefits of Finnish sauna culture for another T+L story, I was pleasantly surprised and excited to test one out for myself; battling a relatively strong case of jet lag, I found it the perfect antidote to my sleep deprivation and overall travel fatigue.
Family-Friendly Offerings
Some resorts may see younger guests as an afterthought, but the Kids Club at JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa puts their experiences at the forefront. The service is offered from 10:15 a.m. until 6:15 p.m. every day, and the participants are kept busy with both fun and educational programming, including volleyball games, badminton matches, and Venetian mask making. A family pool, water play fountain, playground, and classes at the Sapori Cooking Academy can also help fill smaller travelers’ itineraries.
Accessibility and Sustainability
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa has various accessibility features throughout the property. Service animals are welcome, and there are accessible entrances to the main building, pool, spa, restaurants, and guest rooms. Travelers can also select mobility-accessible rooms, rooms with self-closing doors, adjustable vanities, bathtub seats, and handrails.
Sustainability is another focus point for the resort. “All of our partnerships have sustainability at the core of our ethos. This is evident across our culinary offerings — producing our own unique olive oil, growing our own produce in vegetable gardens which source our restaurants — and even our spa, which uses BAKEL treatments, a local clean beauty brand,” says Cabutti. The resort was also awarded the Green Key Certificate by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
Location
Isola Delle Rose is a 40-acre artificial island, one that was home to a hospital in the early 20th century. In 2010, Marriott International began transforming the abandoned island into the resort area it’s known as today. The hotel’s water taxi is the easiest way to get to and from the island, but private boat transfers can also be arranged. My flight departing from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) was on the earlier side, so the latter option made the most sense — and it only took about an hour from door to door.
How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay
You're in luck if you have some Marriot Bonvoy points to spend or earn. JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa participates in the Marriott International global travel program, and room rates start from 50,000 points a night. To learn more about the program’s travel benefits or begin earning points toward a future stay, sign up online.
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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
2024-04-15T15:11:20Z dg43tfdfdgfd