WANDERLUST

JOURNEYS

YOUR PASSPORT TO THE MOST FASCINATING CORNERS OF THE GLOBE

EUROPEAN LEGENDS

CELEBRATE A RETURN TO EUROPE BY STAYING IN SOME OF THE CONTINENT’S MOST FABLED—AND FASHIONABLE—PROPERTIES

BY PAUL RUBIO

BELMOND

CIPRIANI, A BELMOND HOTEL, VENICE

The essence of Italy’s la dolce vita

A bridge-linked maze of Renaissance-era palazzos, Gothic edifices, Byzantine domes, and Baroque buildings, Venice rises as a man-made water world reflecting architectural and cultural influences that span nearly a millennium. To fully embrace the magic of these history-steeped islands, head south of St. Mark’s Square to the isle of Giudecca, where Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel delivers the best in Venetian views, old-school glamour, and modern hospitality.

Void of the crowds and confined spaces of Venice proper, sprawling Cipriani promises comforts uncommon to the region. Think: oversize guest rooms and suites, an Olympic-size swimming pool, artstrewn gardens, traditional vineyards, and personality-driven spots for indulging in Italian gastronomy and mixology. Days here begin with strong coffee and regional delicacies at waterside Caffè San Giorgio, cozy under an umbrella-capped table, admiring the gondolas and wooden boats that float by. Board the five-minute water taxi to Venice’s main island, where ambles through labyrinthine alleys lead to unexpected discoveries in history, retail therapy, and Instagram-worthy moments.

Come early afternoon, don’t miss the chance to lunch light—and drink heavy—at Cip’s Club, the property’s famed overwater restaurant with unmatched panoramas of the Venetian skyline. Then, relax in your elegantly appointed guest room or suite, enjoying the breeze from your balcony or terrace—every unit has one—or capitalize on the myriad alfresco amenities before primping for a night of Michelin-starred cuisine, theater, opera, and/or cocktails at celeb-frequented Harry’s Bar. (belmond.com)

Clockwise from top left: Cipriani’s sprawling pool; Caffè San Giorgio; rooftop views; Dogaressa Suite.

JOURNEYS

Clockwise from above: Tuileries Garden; Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse; view from the Belle Etoile suite; an Executive Room, Park View.

From left: View of the Champs-Élysées; salon of the Champs-Élysées Signature Suite. LE MEURICE, PARIS

Paris’ most coveted address

Twelve exalted properties in the City of Light carry official Palace status, a distinction above five stars and indicative of a starring role in French heritage, culture, and gastronomy. Among this elite group, none garners more global reverence than Le Meurice, Paris’ original palace hotel—a destination that’s equal parts ultra-luxury and living museum. Since its debut in 1835, Le Meurice has commanded the spotlight, shaped by the dignitaries, artists, and thinkers who’ve called the palace home (names like Dalí, Picasso, and Warhol) as well as pioneering achievements in hospitality. For example, Le Meurice was the first hotel in Paris to have a telephone (circa 1889) and the first to install a private bathroom in every guest room and suite (circa 1907).

Nowadays, the property remains equally relevant by offering the timeless, distinctly Parisian stay that travelers desire. Renovated in 2019, guest rooms and suites epitomize the Parisian dream, with handcrafted classic French-style furniture and swoon-worthy views; book an Executive Room, Park View for a panorama that spans Tuileries Garden, the Louvre, Place de la Concorde, and the Eiffel Tower. Multiple Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse oversees the property’s dining in its entirety, meaning every meal is one to remember. Meanwhile, the hotel’s Dalí-inspired common spaces invite hotel guests and visitors—dressed to kill in haute couture—to sit, pose, and ruminate on the splendor that surrounds. (dorchestercollection.com)

© FABRICE RAMBERT

HÔTEL BARRIÈRE LE FOUQUET’S, PARIS

A modern “palace” on the Champs-Élysées

Another top Paris hotel of Palace pedigree, Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s presents a more contemporary approach to luxury, featuring Jacques Garcia–designed rooms and suites primarily dressed in beige and gold tones, with velvet trimmings for added dimension. To be sure, the property still carries an air of opulence, which strikes upon entry thanks to collections of oversized Murano glass diamonds, embroi-

PARK HYATT VIENNA

Austria’s most intriguing design transformation

Clockwise from left: Subterranean pool in the former bank vault; The Bank Brasserie and Bar; stately exterior; a sumptuous room and all-marble bathroom; hotel foyer.

In recent years, Vienna has gained traction as a capital of European cool, with plenty of oldmeets-new marvels to prove it. Case in point: Park Hyatt Vienna, an exceptional adaptive reuse of the Bank of Austria’s former headquarters in the heart of Vienna. Behind the stately earlytwentieth-century facade of the UNESCO-listed building, uncover a hotel that balances finance and history with finesse.

Underground, the original floor-to-ceiling vault door opens to a strong room aglow in blues and yellows, anchored by a sleek swimming pool and flanked by a state-of-the-art gymnasium and world-class spa. At ground level, the cashier’s hall—with original stained-glass pieces and exquisite marble columns—now houses The Bank Brasserie and Bar, serving new interpretations of brasserie classics. A central marble staircase and glass elevator leads to 143 rooms and suites exuding Viennese sophistication, all with large closets and bathrooms and embellished in dark woods, mother-of-pearl, and marble. Thanks to the building’s original design, units on the first and second floors boast double-story ceilings, branding them the most coveted within Park Hyatt’s inventory.

The former bank’s riches spill to the surrounding area, too. Just beyond the doors of the Park Hyatt Vienna, discover such renowned sights as Café Central, a storied hangout once frequented by the likes of Freud and Trotsky; the Hofburg, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg dynasty; and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna’s most adorned religious structure. (hyatt.com)

dered leather walls, and gilded Rococo furniture and ornaments. However, the focus here isn’t so much on history as it is on the joie de vivre of today’s Paris, as evidenced in the amenities and prime location. Sip and savor while mingling with A-listers at Le Joy, an open-air garden restaurant at the hotel’s core. Head to the design-forward subterranean spa and pool for pampering between sightseeing. Or simply venture outside for immediate access to the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Avenue Montaigne, Paris’ most esteemed high street. (hotelsbarriere.com) «

PARK HYATT VIENNA