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International luxury hotel group heads to little island of Murano

The Langham, Venice,
The Langham, Venice,

The Langham Hospitality Group has revealed exclusively toTelegraph Travel that it will open a new luxury hotel in Venice in 2023.

The lagoon-front Langham, Venice will be set on the island of Murano and marks the Hong Kong-based group’s first hotel in Italy and third in Europe, following a recent opening in Munich and its long-standing London ‘grande dame’.

Described as an ‘urban resort’, the Langham will be the first true luxury option in Murano, the little island known for its glass-making tradition stretching back to the 13th century. The hotel’s winning waterfront location on the island’s south-east shore puts it within easy reach of the Museo del Vetro (glass museum) and centuries-old foundries that continue to turn out artisanal pieces.

Also close by is the Basilica dei Santa Maria e San Donato, one of Venice’s most impressive churches. The city itself is only a short vaporetto ride away, but guests will likely relish the peace that descends on Murano after the daytrippers leave.

The hotel will be housed in the Casino Mocenigo, a villa that dates back to the 1600s. Milan-based architecture and design studio Matteo Thun & Partners, who are known for embracing sustainable ideas and a pared-back style, have been appointed to oversee the extensive renovations. Design for both the 138 rooms and public spaces will blend modern amenities and details from the building’s history, notably its music and poetry-dedicated frescoes. As expected of a waterfront hotel, views of the lagoon will be highlighted at every turn.

The Langham, Venice
The Langham, Venice

• The best restaurants in Venice

A key feature is the grand courtyard, which will house an outdoor swimming pool and manicured garden, as well as multiple outdoor dining spaces. Few details have been revealed about the two main restaurants, though the hotel has announced that there will be an Italian cooking school. Meanwhile, a rooftop bar promises views over Venice.

Langham Hospitality Group CEO, Stefan Leser, told Telegraph Travel: “The Langham, Venice will provide an exclusive leisure experience that blends the finest elements of the local Venetian culture and heritage with personalised intuitive service that are the hallmarks of The Langham luxury experience.”

He added: “It will be a resort where guests can enjoy afternoon tea indulgence, which we are known for, and we are also bringing in the group’s signature Chuan Spa, providing wellness therapies and treatments based on the ancient healing philosophies of Traditional Chinese Medicine.”

The Langham is the latest high-end hotel group to head to the 'City of Canals', following St Regis Hotels, which opened an outpost in a prime San Marco location last year, and Rosewood, which will land in the Cannaregio district in 2023.

By the time the Langham opens, guests may be welcomed to a very different Venice. The winds of change have been blowing for a while, with growing concerns about overtourism, which culminated in a large cruise ship ban last summer. The pandemic and resulting lockdown, which left the canals running clear for a brief moment in April, may have further accelerated this shift towards more sustainable, considered tourism.

The Langham Hospitality Group CEO, Stefan Leser
The Langham Hospitality Group CEO, Stefan Leser

48 hours in Venice

Stefan Leser is certainly anticipating lasting changes to the way we travel.

“We will take our time and really enjoy it now, especially since it will likely take more effort, but this is really how it should be – getting to know each destination and relishing every moment.”

He feels that travel will have a crucial role to play after this challenging year.

“We need to remember that people need to reset, take a break, and that travel is good for the soul and our mental wellbeing.

“For us in the luxury hotels sector, being part of this ‘healing’ journey will be more important than ever as we are able to do what we do best in hospitality – take care of people and ensure they have the best time when they are with us.

“If anything, we now realise how connected our guests are to our hotels and staff, and the responsibility we shoulder to create their treasured holiday memories. I personally believe that we will not only come out of this crisis stronger, but we will have more clarity and purpose moving forward.”