Legendary hotel in Venice closes

Venice is losing a piece of its (recent) history: In recent days, a legendary hotel in the lagoon city was permanently closed. It is the Grand Hotel Des Bains, which served as a location in the classic film “Death in Venice.”

Modernity is moving in at the site of the Grand Hotel Des Bains in the Lido di Venezia district: The hotel has closed to make way for a modern apartment complex.

The Grand Hotel des Bains was one of Europe’s most glamorous hotels, not only as a film set. The hotel on the Lido di Venezia was built in 1900 to accommodate wealthy tourists. It became famous after the German writer Thomas Mann stayed there in 1911. It was here that Mann conceived the idea for his bestseller, “Death in Venice.” The film of the same name, directed by Luchino Visconti, was shot at the Hotel Des Bains in Venice in 1971. The hotel also served as “Shepheard’s Hotel” in Cairo in “The English Patient.” It was a popular destination for international film stars, who visited the hotel as a famous film location during the Venice International Film Festival.

The hotel closed this year. By the end of 2011, the Grand Hotel Des Bains was to be completely converted into a luxurious apartment complex called “Des Bains Residences.” With the Grand Hotel Des Bains, Venice has now lost a part of its (film) history for good. Critics fought for a long time against the owners’ decision, but ultimately had to accept the decision to demolish the hotel in Venice and concede defeat.