Built in the Palladian era, the villa underwent considerable improvements in the 18th century. In 1889 the English poet Robert Browning bought the property. Under his leadership the villa acquired its noble Tuscan appearance. It was then sold in 1902 to a wealthy Venetian familywho used it for many years as a holiday home and later rented it out and converted it into an inn. In 1962 the Villa was acquired by Rupert Guinnessthe second Earl of Iveagh - of the famous Irish brewing family. Lord Iveagh in the 1960s commissioned Giuseppe Cipriani - founder of Harry's Bar in Venice, inventor of the Bellini cocktail and Carpaccio - to turn it into a charming hotel: Villa Cipriani. Thus the picturesque inn was transformed into the little country jewel that guests enjoy today. In 1974 Villa Cipriani became part of the chain Ciga Hotelschain, in 1995 of the Sheraton group and then of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. In 2012, Treviso industrialist Massimo Zanetti purchased Villa Cipriani and - year after year and thanks to constant conservative restoration work - has helped maintain its elegance, refinement and family charm.