Venice is unlike anywhere else in the world. A city built on water across and connected by canals and historic bridges, the living museum is a once in a lifetime experience for all.
Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and Othello are both set there, and its timeless interplay of water, light and history has been captured among film and artists alike, from painters Titian and Tintoretto to writers such as Henry James.
However, you don’t have to be an artist to feel the emotional pull of the labyrinthine alleys and colourful islands. Spend your days gliding through the canals by gondola, browsing artisan boutiques and enjoying fresh seafood in traditional trattorias.
And of course, there are the hotels that capture the city’s charm. Here you’ll have the chance to stay within centuries-old architecture. The Gritti Palace and Hotel Danieli, for example, offer Grand Canal views inside former noble residences, with frescoed ceilings and antique furnishings. Belmond Hotel Cipriani sits on Giudecca Island if you’re after more seclusion and gardens, which are rare in the city center. Some hotels arrive by private boat rather than car, since Venice has no roads. Rooms are often smaller, but are filled with marble bathrooms, antiques, dramatic headboards and original frescoes.
So, if you’re ready to immerse yourself in Venice’s rich culture, history and architecture, we’ve curated a guide to the city’s most exclusive hotels for an elevated Italian escape.
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GT‘s picks for Venice hotels for 2026
- Best for couples: Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel
- Best for families: Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel
- Best for wellness: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
- Best for business: The St. Regis Venice
- Best for honeymooners: Aman Venice
- Best for location: The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
- Best for history: Ca’ Sagredo Hotel
Best luxury hotels in Venice

Best for architectural grandeur & new luxury
After an eight-year renovation by architect Aline Asmar d’Amma, this 15th-century Venetian palace in the Cannaregio district has been thoughtfully restored with Orient Express Venezia newly opened as of March 2026. Within each of the hotel’s 47 rooms, suites, and residences you’ll encounter restored murals, sculptural ceilings and views of gardens and canals. For a three-Michelin-star culinary exploration, head to Heinz Beck Venezia located on the property, while La Casati offers relaxed all-day dishes. And at the hotel spa, encounter ancient Roman thermal rituals alongside a fitness room and more heavenly delights, all less than a kilometre to the Rialto Bridge.
Address: Strada Nova, 2292, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for privacy, romance & celebrity-level luxury
Overlooking the Grand Canal and set in one of eight monumental palazzos in Venice is Aman Venice, comprising of 24 luscious rooms and suites offering Grand Canal or private garden views. Set in the historic Palazzo Papadopoli, one of Venice’s eight monumental Grand Canal palazzos, Aman Venice is just a short walk from Piazza San Marco and approximately five minutes from the Rialto Bridge. Evocative Jean-Michel Gathy interiors and exquisite Rococo works of art offer a stirring blend of intimacy, gastronomy and opulence, setting the tone for your next Venetian escape.
Address: Palazzo Papadopoli, Calle Tiepolo, 1364, 30215 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for resort experience & Michelin dining
Just a short private boat ride from St. Mark’s Square on the tip of Giudecca Island is Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel with 124 Mediterranean-style rooms and suites, a vast outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, lush gardens and a 24-hour private boat shuttle connecting guests to the city. Hotel Cipriani is also home to some of the best restaurants in Venice, including legendary Cip’s Club where you can sip on an original Bellini; and Michelin-starred ORO, led by Vania Ghedini in collaboration with Massimo Bottura.
Address: Giudecca, 10, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for Grand Canal views & old-world Venetian elegance
Sitting directly on the Grand Canal, The Gritti Palace offers luxury and opulence in spades: from the rare antique furnishings, Murano glass appliques and marble bathrooms in each of the individually furnished rooms and suites; to the historical treasures of the building which dates back to 1475. Explore, taste, and celebrate Venetian cuisine at the Club del Doge, and enjoy one of the many treatments at the hotels spa, specialising in Ayurvedic therapies and couples treatments.
Address: Campo Santa Maria Del Giglio, 2467, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for historic grandeur at Venice’s most iconic address
Set to open later this year, this five-star luxury opening will be located on the laguna waterfront on the famous Riva degli Schiavoni following a meticulous restoration and modernisation. The Danieli is actually composed of three interconnecting palaces that date back to the 15th, 19th and 20th centuries, interlacing rich Venetian history with a modern edge. Redecorated by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the hotel will blend Venetian heritage with modern Four Seasons amenities, including the Danieli Spa, which will feature three treatment rooms including a dedicated couples suite, plus a sauna and hammam. Enjoy a meal at Restaurant Terrazza Danieli, featuring indoor and outdoor seating with panoramic views of the city and lagoon.
Address: Riva degli Schiavoni, 4196, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for points redeemers & sophisticated city stays
This vibrant five-star luxury hotel is located in one of the the best addresses in Venice, flanked by the Grand Canal with views across iconic landmarks, and surrounded by designer boutiques and contemporary art galleries. Embrace luxury from the inside out, thanks to the signature St. Regis Butler Service turning every detail into an experience. The 5-star luxury hotel has an array of exquisitely crafted culinary experiences, from the traditional Venetian dishes at Gio’s to the avant-garde Arts Bar. Sitting at San Marco 2159, the privileged spot has been held for over a century and a half, offering a blend of service, gastronomy and location few other Venice hotels combine.
Address: Riva degli Schiavoni, 4196, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for intimate luxury & Michelin-starred gastronomy
Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel is a rare offering on the Grand Canal, with an intimate, only-18-room scale and two-Michelin-star dining (the only two-Michelin star restaurant in Venice, in fact). The restored 15th-century palazzo is individually decorated around a unique aspect of Venetian history, featuring restored Renaissance frescoes, marble fireplaces, antiques, marble bathrooms, and in some cases, private terraces overlooking the Grand Canal. Enrico Bartolini and resident chef Donato Ascani revisit the traditional flavours of the Lagoon at the in-house restaurant Glam, a must-visit for a taste of tradition.
Address: Calle Tron, 1961, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for gourmet dining & stylish design near San Marco
Few canals over from the Piazza San Marco and La Fenice opera house compare to the Nolinski Venezia. Housed in Venice’s former Stock Exchange, the hotel has 43 individually designed guest rooms and suites that curate Art Nouveau, mid-century modern, and contemporary styles – a quite unique mix for a luxury stay. Its character also extends to a striking rooftop pool with skyline views and Michelin-starred restaurant; set in a modernist former auditorium blending Mediterranean cuisine with French culinary techniques. Set on Calle Larga XXII Marzo in the high-end shopping district, it’s just a few canals from Piazza San Marco and La Fenice opera house.
Address: Calle Larga XXII Marzo, 2032, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for spa retreats & private island luxury in Venice
Nestled on the private island of Isola delle Rose, JW Marriott Venice Resort and Spa is a tranquil escape, though just minutes from St. Mark’s Square. Sprawling gardens, multiple pools, tennis courts and a Michelin-starred restaurant make up the private island experience, but it is GOCO Spa that seals the deal. The largest wellness spa in the Venetian lagoon, it features eight treatment rooms, a heated indoor pool, sauna, hammam and steam room.
Address: Isola Delle Rose Laguna Di San Marco, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for art, frescoes & a local Venetian neighbourhood feel
Less like a hotel and more like a Venetian noble residence, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel is located within a 15th century Palace that has been declared a National Monument, still preserving the untouched beauty of an ancient noble Residence. Beyond its museum-quality art collection and grand frescoed staircase by Andrea Tirali, the hotel offers a fitness suite, a conference room, in-room massages and beauty treatments arranged on request, and a private water taxi dock at the front door. There are just 42 rooms and suites with classic Venetian styling, featuring original frescoes, period furniture, and marble bathrooms. There is even a suite – the Library Suite (once Galileo’s study haunt) – set in the palace’s former 10,000-book library.
Address: Campo Santa Sofia, 4198/99, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for living in history
Located near St. Mark’s Square, Baglioni Hotel Luna is actually believed to be the oldest hotel in Venice, dating to the 12th century. Over the centuries, it has served as a convent, a refuge for the Knights Templar, and an aristocratic palace before operating as the renowned Locanda della Luna in 1574 (translated as the Inn of the Moon). Here, experience a timeless journey through art, history and gourmet cuisine, from the breakfast served beneath 18th-century ceiling frescoes to Ayurvedic treatments at the on-site spa. The centuries-layered history is what makes this location ideal for history buffs.
Address: P.za San Marco, 1243, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Best for a resort-style stay
Hosted on an exclusive island in the Venetian Lagoon, San Clemente Palace Venice is all about the resort experience all while a short boat ride from the city’s heart. Explore the many resort-style offerings, from the outdoor heated pool to the indoor and outdoor fitness facilities, tennis court, “pitch and put” golf area, jogging paths, Mediterranean gardens and more. There are also three gourmet restaurants to enjoy, all just ten minutes from St. Mark’s Square via a complimentary wooden shuttle boat.
Address: isola San clemente, 1/1, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Venice is made up of six distinct neighbourhoods, and each offers something different. If you’re a first-time visitor or after a little more grandeur, many travellers gravitate towards San Marco, which is home to grand hotels, designer boutiques and iconic landmarks. Nearby Dorsoduro offers a quieter, more artistic atmosphere with elegant boutique stays, while Cannaregio is ideal for those seeking a more local feel.
Three days is the ideal amount of time to experience all that Venice has to offer. It will give you enough breathing room to visit iconic sights like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, explore quieter neighbourhoods, enjoy leisurely canal-side meals and take a gondola ride. Add a fourth day if you plan to visit the nearby islands of Murano and Burano.
Summertime is hot and busy in Venice, so if you’re after a more relaxed atmosphere we recommend visiting from April to June or September to October. At this time, mild weather, fewer crowds and pleasant conditions make sightseeing more enjoyable. Early Autumn is a treat due to its comfortable temps and the Venice Film Festival buzz.
Orient Express Venezia