SINA Centurion Palace

The opulent Centurion Palace hotel is housed in the 19th-century Palazzo Genovese, overlooking the Grand Canal. This stunning Gothic Venetian building opens into a chic lobby with contemporary furnishings, including a grand lit-up front desk, polished dark-wood floors, and Pop Art canvases adorning the walls. The ceilings are high and tall windows with beautiful coving flood the lobby with light, while plush red velvet curtains add to the sense of refinement. There's a private Venetian garden with beautiful stone columns and water views behind the hotel.

Close enough to walk to all the city's major sights but away from the hordes of tourists, Centurion Palace is located in the Dorsoduro neighborhood. It's an arty area, and much more peaceful than the tourist hot spots. One of Venice's most beautiful churches, Santa Maria della Salute, is next door, and the Peggy Guggenheim modern art museum is on the other side, with La Fenice opera house just a few steps away. The hotel overlooks the Grand Canal, and St Mark's Square is a 15-minute walk away.

Rooms at the Centurion Palace are chic and contemporary, with dramatic headboards, premium bedding, and high ceilings (some with white or wood beams). They're individually decorated, and some have vibrantly colored walls while others are more neutral. All rooms have quirky, modern touches and stunning bathrooms with separate tubs and showers, as well as robes and slippers. Flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and minibars are on offer. It's worth asking for a canal view, though it does cost more. All in all, the rooms are among the most luxurious in the city, and the contemporary look is rare; most lupscale hotels opt for classic Venetian elegance. 

The hotel's restaurant, Antinoo's Lounge and Restaurant, serves superb food in an elegant setting; one portion is decorated almost entirely in white, while another is decked out in rich reds. The space offers views of the canal, and in warmer months, guests can enjoy dinner and drinks on an an outdoor terrace. A free breakfast with pastries, fruit, cereals, meat, and a few hot items is served to guests in the restaurant each morning. Another highlight is the private Venetian garden. Centurion Palace has a meeting room that can accommodate up to 50 people, and guests can use a nearby gym for free. There is no spa, a bit surprising for an advertised five-star hotel, but a common absence among Venice hotels; those who want a spa on the premises should consider the Boscolo Venezia or the Bauer Palladio.