Venice/Geneva, November 4, 2015 – Exceptional elegance in an extraordinary setting: Kempinski Hotels takes over the San Clemente Palace Hotel in the Lagoon of Venice. The management agreement has just been signed with the owner of the hotel, Permak Investments S.R.L. (Permak Group). Located just ten minutes by boat from the famous St Mark’s Square, it is ideal for exploring Venice. The historic palace hotel, which currently has 190 rooms and suites, will join the portfolio of Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group from November 3, 2015. After the winter season, the impressive hotel will open its doors as the San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice on March 24, 2016, and will be ready to welcome guests to this private island, which is spread over more than 17 acres and offers beautiful gardens, historic monastery buildings and a beautiful church dating back to the 12th century.

“If there is a hotel that suits the Kempinski portfolio, it’s definitely the San Clemente Palace,” says Markus Semer, Deputy CEO and Chief Group Development Officer of Kempinski Hotels, about the new property. “Among our other grand hotels like the Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin, the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich, the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains in St. Moritz and the Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul to name but a few, this elegant and impressive palace hotel is in excellent company and strengthens our position in Europe.”

“Kempinski is known for a long European hotel tradition and for luxury, not forgetting management expertise,” says owner Selim Uyar, President Permak Group, who is thrilled about the new operator. “I am sure that Kempinski will get even more out of San Clemente Palace. Starting the next season, guests can look forward to warm Kempinski service, new and impressive restaurant concepts and a thoroughly luxurious stay.”

San Clemente Palace Hotel has an impressive heritage and modern Venetian design, and is uniquely situated on San Clemente Island in the Lagoon of Venice. Set among a centuries-old park, antique courtyards and monastery buildings, the hotel provides the perfect setting for total relaxation. All 190 rooms and suites are equipped in a modern style that recalls historic Venetian times and provide a stunning view of Venice, the lagoon, the gardens or the inner courtyards. Three restaurants and three bars cater for all culinary desires. Guests can relax and exercise in the various facilities: there is a heated swimming pool in the garden, a tennis court and a driving range with view of the lagoon as well as a gym and treatment rooms. It is just a ten-minute-trip by boat from the hotel’s own pier to St Mark’s Square. The hotel also offers six convention rooms for up to 400 people, and together with the whole complex and its surrounding grounds is the ideal place for weddings and other festivities with the historic scenery providing an unforgettable setting for up to 1,200 guests.