Those looking for some privacy and to escape the crowds know that when in Venice the place to be is on Giudecca Island looking back over at the delights of San Marco from a quiet and refined bolt-hole, if we may use that term about as elegant a hotel as this. For what could be more refined, romantic or famous, than Hotel Cipriani?

The Luxury Travel Bible recommends checking in to the Vendramin a 15th century waterfront palazzo linked to the main hotel across a courtyard. The crème de la crème stay here, often in Dogaressa Suite. All suites boast private balconies or terraces, butler service and a certain faded glamour. The favoured guests are given a lagoon view with a vista like a Canaletto painting and water dappled shadows playing on the ceiling. Don't consider yourself one of the FF (favoured few return guests)? Never mind it is worth a request anyway. We can't all stay as often as the debonair Mr Clooney (George to Hollywood fan mags) or the hotel's host of other fabulously famous guests.