Soulful Venice
Venice is many things... but a wellness destination to recharge your batteries?
While the thought of the lagoon city brings back romantic memories of a gondola ride through quiet canals and past magnificent palazzi for some, others are gripped by the sheer horror of the invasion of tourists clogging up the far too narrow alleyways and turning every bridge between Rialto and San Marco into a nerve-wracking bottleneck. Of course, it has its charm to spend the night in one of the opulent luxury hotels that line the Grand Canal like pearls on a necklace, furnished in the city's typical Doge's Palace style with gold-embossed wallpaper and fresco paintings on the walls and lots of velvet, silk and brocade. Ideal for exploring the city's art and cultural treasures, but especially in high season it can get so crowded that the relaxation factor is almost zero and there is a risk of a Venice overdose.
However, La Serenissima can also strike a very calm note, namely that of pure relaxation and deceleration in a place that not even many experienced Venice lovers would have expected! My secret wellness tip à la veneziana is located just a few minutes by boat from St. Mark's Square on the private island of Isola delle Rose. A new wind has been blowing here since the opening of the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa a few years ago. Even on the approach to the island, I get a real James Bond feeling as the private shuttle boat heads towards the imposing reception, hidden behind lush trees. As soon as I step off the boat with a charming "benvenuta signora" and a helping hand, I feel like I'm in another world, far away from the hustle and bustle of Venice and yet close enough to indulge in it whenever I feel like it!
Incidentally, the island has a long tradition as a healing retreat: for 60 years, a clinic for respiratory diseases was located here, where the positive effects of the mild climate on the lungs were utilized. The air circulates particularly well here thanks to the sea currents and always provides a refreshing breeze. In 2015, the Isola delle Rose underwent a complete transformation under the design direction of Matteo Thun, who perfectly implemented his vision of a luxury resort that exudes the lightness of a Mediterranean island and yet is typical of Venice. The style is airy and flooded with light, the atmosphere is relaxed. The interior is dominated by aqua colors and light natural tones, and art-loving guests also get their money's worth thanks to constantly changing exhibitions in the hotel's own art gallery.
Mediterranean island vibes are also in the air on the hotel's rooftop terrace: the rooftop bar and the "very instagrammable" 360-degree infinity pool are casual and relaxed thanks to a harmonious DJ playlist and cocktail menu - including a simply breathtaking view of the Venice skyline and San Marco. The pool is pleasantly warm even in spring and late fall and makes "gazing out over Venice" an almost meditative experience. The atmosphere becomes truly magical when the setting sun transforms the lagoon into a sea of colors ranging from pale pink to fiery red.
Truly unique in Venice and very sophisticated are the JW Retreats in the secluded part of the island, most of which have a private garden and plunge pool. And the villas with their own pool are hard to beat in terms of exclusivity. These are located not far from the spa directly on the lagoon and provide the ultimate hideaway feeling. Even the short walk from the hotel lobby to the retreat through the extensive park and olive grove, accompanied by birdsong and the gentle lapping of the water, makes every cell in my body breathe a sigh of relief.
The resort's farm-to-table approach is also wow. The soil of Isola Delle Rose is very rich in nutrients and minerals and allows plants to thrive that are actually native to more southerly climes. Most of the fruit and vegetables for the 4 restaurants come from the resort's own organic garden, and even olive oil and honey come from the island. In a good year, 400 liters of the finest extra virgin olive oil are produced and 700 kg of organic apricots are harvested.
I attend a cooking course at the Sapori Cooking Academy to be initiated into a few secrets of Venetian cuisine by Executive Chef Giorgio Schifferegger. Beforehand, I accompany him to the Rialto market to personally select the Catch Of The Day, harvest vegetables in the garden, then look over his shoulder in the kitchen and try my hand at my first pasta fatto a mano.
After a day of sightseeing in Venice and Murano, you can be ready for the island. Afterwards, how good it is to enjoy the peace and quiet and the shade of the trees in the centuries-old park with a walk, a picnic in the olive grove and a yoga session in the garden! Body and soul are quickly brought back into balance. If you still feel like being active, a walking and running trail around the island and a visit to the gym will really work up a sweat!
"Built close to the water" applies to the multi-award-winning JW Venice Spa not only literally, as it is the only spa in Venice that is located directly on the lagoon. And it's also my secret star here: the panoramic view from the massage table through the floor-to-ceiling windows is actually far too beautiful to close your eyes. And the bubbling bath in the heated outdoor vitality pool after my treatment, in which only olive oil produced on the Isola delle Rose and aromatic herbs from the island's own garden are used, is a very special experience with the Venice skyline. And again, it is the magic of the peaceful lagoon, with the play of light from the sun on the mirror-smooth water, that captivates and enchants me - and makes Venice a perfect place of contemplation for me.
More information about the hotel
Photos: (c) JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
