Venice Resort & Spa, Venice, Italy

Private island luxury comes to Venice.

All eyes are on Venice’s Isola delle Rose after JW Marriott opened its first Italian hotel and European resort on the private island, Venice Resort & Spa, in March.

Spanning 16 hectares with refurbished buildings scattered around the island, the resort comprises 266 rooms (some with private pools), a cooking school, wine academy and Venice’s largest spa. Architect Matteo Thun’s top-to-toe restoration deploys locally made glass, Venetian tiles and original brickwork, adding warmth and character to an otherwise sleek and modern fit-out.

On the dining front, ingredients from the island’s olive grove and extensive kitchen garden are put to good use at the resort’s four restaurants.

Come sundown, La Sagra poolside bar on the rooftop, which has 360-degree views extending to St Mark’s Square, for cocktails and cicchetti has got to be the spot to beat. Rooms from $560 per night, including breakfast.