Venetians struggle to recognise this glitzy tax-free shopping mall as the gloomy if rather monumental building that served as their main post office until a few years ago. A radical makeover, courtesy of architects Rem Koolhaas and Jamie Fobert, has transformed what was the 16th-century headquarters of German traders into a sparkling (almost blindingly so) luxury haven for anyone with deep pockets and a taste for designer labels.
The AMO café/restaurant (run by super-chef Massimiliano Alajmo) serves meals in the courtyard, but, for those not wishing to splash out, an aperitivo in the bar itself, beautifully decked out in onyx by Philippe Starck, is a worthy alternative. Make sure to head up to the roof terrace, which offers a stunning view of the Grand Canal.