On the island of San Clemente in the middle of the lagoon lies a pink hotel. Its name?
San Clemente Palace and Resort.
The hotel praises itseld as a luxury resort with spectacular views of Venice, its lagoon and Giudecca Island. But it has so much more to offer.
Well, to start of, the obvious has to be stated first. San Clemente is an exclusive 5 star luxury hotel with a rather unique location in the middle of the lagoon, an ideal position and destination for weekend get-aways or full length holidays. On 65.000 square meters it lies between Giudecca and the Lido of Venice. An intriguing part of the hotel is the old church and graveyard, built in 1131 of which parts that haven't been destroyed during several wars can still be admired and visited.
After an enjoyable drive with one of the motorboats either from Piazza San Marco or Marco Polo Airport you arrive on the yeti on San Clemente Palace and Resort. Several butlers and concierges are at your disposal to help with your lugagge. The first time I arrived on San Clemente was in the late afternoon, the sun was already setting and the lights were on. It gave the hotel a romantic, yet eerie atmosphere. From the yeti there is a long alley lined with trees that leads to the main house. While passing the centuries-old park you notice several banks where you can sit and read and listen to music. It's all very comforting and relaxing. The interior is very luxurious, with a very welcoming foyer and a little reception room on your right. Once given the keys I went up to my room and was pleasantly surprised. It was very bright, capacious and very flash. The view was the best part, though: it overlooked the lagoon. So, it made a very great first impression.
The hotel has two really good restaurants, the Le Maschere and the La Laguna, offering food in a Mediterranean culinary tradition. Breakfast is being served every morning in the feudal venetian atmosphere of the Gli Arazzi dining halls.
The bars are absolutely top class with a wide selcetion of the finest drinks imaginable. Being really low maintenance myself and always sticking to Vodka and Ginger, I didn't have any problmes, but even if you are about the more outlandish drinks you won't be let down.
One of the best things regarding the restaurants is the terrace directly at the lagoon, where you can enjoy your afternoon tea or a snack. The only setback was that I am now scared for life in regards of listening to "Hotel California" as it was played over and over again over the speakers, making me promise to go anywhere BUT Hotel California.
The swimming pool is located in the wide centuries-old park of San Clemente. Opened from mid-May to mid-September, you can bathe from 10am to 6.30pm or have a snack at Le Conchiglie Bar.
As Spa treatments must not lack in a luxury resort, the "La Perla della Laguna", San Clemente's health and Spa center, is the perfect relaxation area. Overseeing the lagoon, you can choose between fitness exercises, massages or ust being pampered. The center is opened from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 7.30 pm.
If you have a meeting or conference on the island as I did when I was there, there are great and capacious meeting rooms with food and drinking possibilities and really good service. It has an elegant Congress Center with 6 meeting rooms able to accomodate up to 300 guests.
But the thing I like to do most on San Clemente is to simpyl wander around. Really, there isn't anything better than to stroll around the old park, sit on the banks of the patio or to climb on the little hill with the most amazing views of the lagoon. I remember reading Hemingway on the hill, appropriate, as I thought, as he was a great lover of Venice and had even written some of his stories there. So I wanted to know what he felt like while writing them. I have so many happy memories there, it's just amazing what the thought of something can trigger in your mind.
As San Clemente is a little off Venice, approximately 5 miles from Piazza San Marco, you can only travel by boat but that should not stop you from exploring La Serenissima. A shuttle service that operates frequently to and fro Piazza San Marco takes you to the city where you find yourself immediately soaked up in the daily routine of the city, with the gondolas, the gondoliere, the Piazza, the Doge's Palace...there are plenty of things to see in Venice and you should see them all. Or you can just stay on San Clemente and enjoy life.
San Clemente Palace Hotel and Resort
Isola di San Clemente 1, San Marco
30124 Venice, Italy
Tlf: 0039 041 244 50 01
Fax: 0039 041 244 58 00
@: sanclemente@thi.it
Home: www.sanclementepalacevenice.com
Reservations Office: booking-sanclemente@thi.it
Concergerie: concierge-sanclemente@thi.it
Compared to London, Madrid and all the other European capitals, Dublin seems like a town rather than a big city. However, it’s by far Ireland’s biggest and most exciting city.
And there it is, just right next to the coast and the harbour: Ann’s B&B, owned by a very nice couple and their cute and equally friendly dog, Bess. 
I myself have never had breakfast at Ann’s because I’ve always had to be in the city centre very early, but I’m sure it’s fantastic and it’s served from 8.00 – 9:30. There are also special offers for vegetarians, if you inform the owners in advance. Included in the full Irish breakfast you can have eggs, fruits, toasts, juices and more. 
