Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel,

We had seriously considered staying at the Cipriani Hotel on a future trip to Venice, but our experience at its restaurant, Cip’s Club, changed our minds entirely.

Earlier that day, Cipriani informed the hotel we were staying at about a pants-only dress code for dinner. Unfortunately, our hotel failed to tell us. When we arrived dressed in polo shirts and linen shorts—respectable for the extreme heat—we were met with rudeness and condescension by the host (possibly the manager). Instead of handling the situation with understanding, he blamed our hotel and dismissed any responsibility.

This is exactly the problem: a hotel that positions itself as world-class should not rely on third parties to communicate critical policies. If you’re serious about five-star service, you don’t offload key guest expectations and then wash your hands of the consequences.

After pleading due to our flight later that night, we were seated far from the dining area near the kitchen, without a dedicated waiter—despite a reservation made over a month in advance. While the food was very good and the waitstaff kind, the hospitality and guest treatment were far from what a Cipriani-branded property should deliver.

True luxury means accountability, grace, and professionalism. Unfortunately, none of that was present here. We won’t be staying at Cipriani in the future.