Grand des Bains, VeniceLate on February 22, a fire struck Venice’s treasured Grand Hotel Des Bains, a favorite of journalists, celebrities and jet setters. The fire damaged nearly a dozen rooms and possibly burned out part of the electrical network.

The hotel shuts down each October through March so no guests were involved in the incident thankfully. Although the damage is not too extensive, it is probable that the April re-opening will be delayed. Officials do state that the hotel, one of the only two five stars in Venice Lido, will be redone and ready for action for this year’s Venice Film Festival that runs from August 27 – September 6.

The hotel is most notably the site of Thomas Mann’s classic novel “Death in Venice” and was also the site of Italian director Luchino Visconti’s interpretation of the novel through film. The film won the esteemed Palme d’Or in Cannes in 1971.