San Clemente Palace Kempinski

San Clemente Palace is a sanctuary of art and history, floating just minutes from the heart of Venice. From the moment our boat taxi pulled up to the island, we knew we were somewhere extraordinary. The grounds are absolutely breathtaking - lush gardens, a 1,000 year old church, contemporary art, Venetian style....yep, all present and accounted for. So while the ferry to Venice is frequent and easy, but the beauty of the island makes you want to stay and savor the moment. Our room was beautifully appointed and offered a view of the lagoon. The staff was gracious, warm and attentive - without being intrusive. The included breakfast service is outstanding! The pool is a dream. If you’re looking for an unforgettable stay in Venice, this is the place.

From the minute you walk off the boat to the moment you leave the staff could not be more amazing. The building is what you imagine it will be when you read “Palace” in the name The restaurant is very under used by guests and that is a shame as the food is outstanding. The rooms are so quiet you feel you are the only people in the hotel. It is a perfect calm oasis away from the bustle of Venice. The 10 minute free shuttle is great and always on time This is truly a 5 star hotel and I cannot recommend this highly enough.

Room was large and luxurious. But two aspects of our stay were spectacular. One is the grounds, which are beautifully planted and, in late May, splendidly fragrant with jasmine and other blooms. The other is the coffee: Literally the best I've had on this earth.

The facilities here are quite spectacular, but the place does not get top marks from me. The best aspects first: The rooms are probably among the biggest one can get in Venice, and the beds are amazing. The blackout curtains that get deployed at night also ensure that no early morning sunrays wake you up, which is rare. The breakfast is possibly the very best in Venice, and the fragrant garden was a wonderful place to have it in. But if I had to sum up my experiences here, I would say that what's lacking is warmth and the desire to go the extra mile. Only the breakfast staff got this right. The decision to keep the pool at a mere 22-24 degrees means that many people find it cold (I heard complaints around the pool in different languages). Having such a pool and not ensuring a better temperature seems like a waste to me. As for the dining options, there were only two when I was there. Since the fine dining restaurant had lacklustre reviews on Tripadvisor, I opted to dine at the bar. The service level there was atrocious. I tried to catch the attention of the staff so many times, but in the end, someone only took my order when I got up and walked to them, which really shouldn't be necessary in an establishment like this! It takes actual effort to not see someone who is trying intently to get your attention in a bar of that size! A lady and her granddaughter who sat near me tried to get the attention of the staff ten (!) times (I counted). In the end, they left, as there was nobody to let them sign for their food. Had I not mentioned that I did not, in fact, know these two, I would have been charged for their food later. My food arrived in the end and it was OK; nothing more. Which, in a place as visually grand as this one, is a lost opportunity. I also noticed that there was no giftshop on the premises, nor any other shop, even though the display cases have many fine wares. Finally, a small peeve - why have a person in reception who, after you've stood in line to reach them - can't actually arrange anything for you, but refers you to her colleagues? If someone isn't empowered to take care of guests' needs, why let them stand in reception? I think that this hotel could be really wonderful, if a commitment to go the extra mile were made.

A remarkable historic hotel, ideally situated a bit away from the crowd. The location on a private island, just a 10-minute complimentary boat ride from San Marco makes San Clemente Palace a unique experience. A lovely, deconsecrated Renaissance church is part of the property and invites the guests to recreate and contemplate. The spacious architecture and interior design are elegantly crafted, and the outdoors featuring a pool and huge park are delightful. The restaurant serves good food and the service throughout the hotel is especially commendable for its attentiveness. This stay leaves us with very fond memories.