55 Best Hotels in Venice, Italy

Spending time at this charming guesthouse near the Ca' d'Oro vaporetto stop is like staying with a friend: service is warm and helpful, with lots of suggestions for dining and sightseeing. Attractively appointed guest rooms overlook canals or the spacious enclosed garden and patio—a perfect spot to scribble postcards.

Understated Venetian decor, original exposed-beam ceilings and terrazzo flooring, and large rooms suitable for families or small groups are hallmarks of this intimate, family-owned guesthouse. Guest rooms overlooking tranquil side canals are the best in terms of size and view. The spacious common salon overlooks the Rio San Sofia. The location is serene, but only a short street away from the main Cannaregio thoroughfare (Strada Nova), the Ca' d'Oro vaporetto stop, the traghetto across to the Rialto Market, and the San Marco area. Al Palazzetto is also good for small groups or families, as there are triple and quad rooms; some are connecting. Spring for the attic suite if it's available.

This hospitable 16th-century palace inn has lined its Gothic windows with tiny white lights, creating an inviting glow that's emblematic of the luxurious, distinctively Venetian warmth inside. The interior is sumptuous, with brocade-tufted walls, period-style furniture, and hand-decorated exposed beam ceilings. The upstairs terrace is intimate, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee or evening aperitivo.

The renovated home of owner Eleonora behind the Fenice Opera House offers three spacious, comfortable, and conscientiously appointed rooms; each has its own private bath and overlooks a gondola-filled canal. The largest room has a broad balcony. An ample breakfast (served at a common table) and exceptional service make Al Teatro an excellent value and a relaxing choice in the sometimes-frenetic San Marco atmosphere. Book well in advance.

Newly restored and thoughtfully appointed lodgings at the end of a narrow calle have beamed ceilings, large windows that invite in light and provide canal views, and space-liberating iron and glass furniture. The cheery breakfast room overlooks a quiet side canal, as do two of the six rooms, and a small wooden terrace is perfect for relaxing with a Prosecco after a long day of sightseeing.

The restored Palazzo Papadopoli (sometimes referred to as "the place where George Clooney got married") provides its guests with sumptuous period details alongside elegant contemporary design, an expansive private garden facing the Grand Canal, a rooftop terrace, and light-filled and spacious rooms with garden or canal views. Some rooms feature exquisite frescoed ceilings (including one by Tiepolo), painted friezes, wood paneling, and silk wall coverings—the palace is a testament to neo-Renaissance and rococo architecture. The private landing dock makes arrivals effortless. From the reception area, a sweeping staircase brings guests to the main dining room set in the palazzo's ballroom, with stunning views of the Grand Canal.

Just a short stroll from Piazza San Marco—though on a quiet side street that seems a world away—this charming hotel will please those seeking traditional Venetian decor in an ultra-convenient location. Each room is done up differently, though all feature period furnishings, Murano glass chandeliers, and patterned wallpaper. To truly feel like royalty, stay in the Sansovino Lagoon View or San Giorgio Terrace suites; they contain enormous private terraces where the views of rooftops and water last for miles. All gleaming marble and with double sinks, some bathrooms have deep soaking tubs or even double showers. Ortigia products amp up the sophisticated feel. Canova restaurant offers classic dishes—nothing too innovative, but solid, well-prepared Venetian cuisine.

With amazing service, wonderful rooms, fab restaurants, and a large pool and spa—all just a five-minute boat ride from Piazza San Marco (the hotel water shuttle leaves every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day)—the Cipriani is Venetian luxe at its best. Those craving A-lister exclusivity can splash out on a lavish suite facing San Marco in the adjoining Palazzo Vendramin.

The heirs of an important Venetian architect have transformed his former residence, on the third and top floors of a palace along the Grand Canal, into an elegant lodging with views of either the Grand Canal or a side canal—or in the case of the smallish Room 6, rooftops, from a terrace twice the size of the room. The inn retains a traditional yet innovative style instilled by the former owner—most of the furniture was his, including an 18th-century briar-wood bureau, and there's a private library accessible to guests. A rich breakfast, including select cheeses and meats from local producers, is served in a salon overlooking the Grand Canal. There's also an attic apartment.

A quiet courtyard secluded from the San Marco melee offers an island of calm in six guest rooms and two apartments (some with private terraces overlooking the Doge's Palace, one with a Jacuzzi), which are individually decorated with contemporary furnishings and accessories. The public areas entice with classic Venetian elements like the marble stairway, exposed-beam ceilings, and mosaic tiles. Service is highly personal, and guests are often welcomed by one of the owners. There's a courtyard where you can enjoy breakfast or an evening interlude. One room has a Jacuzzi, and one attic apartment is available.

In a residential area off the tourist track, a thoroughly renovated 15th-century building offers pleasant accommodations and plenty of service. Front rooms have a wonderful view of the lagoon, and the 15-minute stroll along the waterfront between Piazzo San Marco and the hotel is through a genuinely "local" part of the city, with plenty of cafés and restaurants. One of the rear rooms has direct access to a pleasant rooftop terrace with tables.

Traditional Venetian style mixes with contemporary design: the clean white-marble entrance leading up to the luminous piano nobile (main floor) of the 15th-century palace gracefully contrasts with the opulent Murano chandeliers and rich wall brocades. Some rooms have canal views, bathrooms are large and modern, and a rich breakfast is served in a bright salon that overlooks a wide canal. The location, just off the Grand Canal near the Ca' d'Oro and a variety of good restaurants, is another plus. Confirm the type of room (suite or standard, with or without a view) and its location (in the annex or the main hotel) when booking.

One of the city's most intimate and elegant getaways blends terrazzo floors, dramatic Murano chandeliers, and antique-style furnishings with contemporary touches, particularly in the African-wood reception area and breakfast room. Impressively, five dramatic "concept rooms" take on themes from Venetian history; the Doge's Room is draped in deep-red brocades, while the Oriental Room is inspired by the travels of Marco Polo.

This expansive palace has been the Sagredo family residence since the mid-1600s and has the decor to prove it: a massive staircase has Longhi wall panels soaring above it; large common areas are adorned with original art by Tiepolo, Longhi, and Ricci; and a traditional Venetian style dominates guest rooms, many of which have canal views and some of which have original art and architectural elements. Flooring might be Venetian terrazzo, wood parquet, or plush carpeting; one suite even offers a private rooftop balcony. Although the hotel website advertises antique furniture, most of the pieces are good modern copies—but there's no doubt about the 18th-century Venetian paintings.

Some pleasant if generic guest rooms overlook a sunny fondamenta and canal, and others a spacious private garden, where breakfast is served in good weather. The interiors are pleasant and comfortable, with traditional furnishings that complement the Venetian terrazzo or parquet flooring. Young owners Matteo and Mattia are attentive and helpful, and the location is around the corner from campos Santa Margherita and San Barnaba, convenient for exploring the sights from San Marco to the Zattere, with easy vaporetto access, too.

These ultramodern surroundings abandon all things traditionally Venetian, opting instead to create the air of a stylish residence with impeccable, minimalist decor and a contemporary, warmly romantic, and occasionally even dramatic atmosphere. Some rooms overlook small canals and side calli; apartment options with kitchenettes are available. The location is convenient to the Guggenheim, Accademia, and the Zattere.  Art borrowed from neighboring museums is on display in common areas.

If you're looking to escape the 18th-century-style decor that predominates in Venetian lodging, check out these spacious, carefully renovated rooms where ceramic lamps, tapestries, and carved platform beds are combined with standard Venetian features such as beamed ceilings and parquet flooring. Unwind in an intimate, interior courtyard and garden after a day of exploring, sharing discoveries with other guests or checking email using the free Wi-Fi. Mother-daughter owners Deborah and Amelia (of Italian-American descent) provide efficient, personal service. Make sure you get detailed directions and cross-check on a good map before arriving.

The grounds of the famous Orsoni Mosaics factory is the setting for these five spacious rooms with quirky golden mosaic flourishes. As a guest, you can get a free tour of the mosaic factory. There's a terrace for relaxing or taking breakfast in temperate weather. On-site service is limited to mornings and afternoons, but there is 24-hour assistance by phone.

Though the atmosphere harkens back to Venice's connection with the Silk Road, the surroundings and amenities are everything you'd expect from a 21st-century establishment, and the staff is highly accommodating. Some rooms and suites overlook the expansive canal along the Fondamenta della Sensa, one of the bright, broad byways typical of the upper Cannaregio district. In good weather, you can also take breakfast or a Venetian spritz cocktail at a sunny table along the canal. Ask about the type and location of room you're reserving when booking; rooms overlooking the canal are especially pleasant.

At this hotel—once home to the Santa Croce branch of the Mocenigo family, which counts a few doges in its lineage—a columned courtyard welcomes you, and guest room decor nods to the building's history, with canopied beds, striped damask fabrics, lustrous terrazzo flooring, and gilt-accented furnishings. Indeed, the whole interior has been meticulously renovated to incorporate exposed-beam ceilings, Murano chandeliers, fireplaces transformed into writing nooks, and other distinct architectural features. A sauna is nice for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. The hotel is on a side canal convenient to any number of sights, cafés, restaurants, and shops. It's deservedly very popular, so book well in advance.

Once the home of Marino Faliero, a 14th-century doge who was executed for treason, this palazzo has been attentively "modernized" in elegant 18th-century Venetian style: all rooms are adorned with brocades, damask-tufted walls, gilt mirrors, and parquet floors—even the breakfast room has a stuccoed ceiling and Murano chandelier. Some guest rooms have baldacchini (canopied beds) and courtyard views; the suite and two superior rooms have canal views. The location, on the main thoroughfare from the station to San Marco, is handy but can stay quite lively well into the night, especially during festivals. An ample buffet breakfast is served.

"All rooms with a view" touts this pensione (modest lodging)-turned-four-star-hotel—and the views are indeed expansive: from the hotel's waterfront location near lively Via Garibaldi, your windows swing open to a panorama that sweeps from the Lido across the basin to San Giorgio and San Marco; upper-floor vistas are particularly inspiring. Decor could be termed "understated maritime," meaning deep mahogany wood tones, brass accents, and nautical appliqué abound, from railings to reading lamps to hallway lighting. Enjoy breakfast, a sunset aperitivo, or a nightcap on the quayside terrace.

Conveniently near the train station, this small hotel couples 18th-century elegance with modern amenities; the decoration, inspired by Venetian history, includes lush damasks, gold-framed mirrors, and plenty of Murano glass and Rezzonico-style floors. Even if you don't splurge for a room facing the Grand Canal, ask for a room with a view and avoid the annex. The breakfast room with its red-velvet chairs overlooks the Grand Canal. Guests can enjoy a drink on the scenic, albeit small, terrace.

An oasis in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Venice embodies the glamour and elegance of the mid-20th century: excellent service, elegant, peaceful rooms that blend historic and contemporary styles, some with spectacular views of the lagoon, and a heated salt-water swimming pool. Red-clay tennis courts and a wellness center round out the resortlike facilities, and the grounds truly are splendid: enjoy a restful afternoon poolside, or have an aperitivo at one of the attractive bars while listening to live jazz music. A free shuttle brings guests to St. Mark's Square every 15 minutes.

Welcoming guests with one of the most sumptuous, quintessentially Venetian loggia-lobbies (part of the late-14th-century Palazzo Dandolo, built by the family of the doge who conquered Constantinople), this fabled monument of Venetian history retains much of its luxury luster, with marble columns here, carved archways there, and plush furniture everywhere. Guest rooms are decorated in 18th-century Venetian fashion—many contain authentic period furniture. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Danieli was the principal Venetian stopping place for literary and musical notables such as Goethe, Wagner, and George Sand; in fact, you can stay in the room where Sand and Alfred de Musset carried on their love affair in 1833–34. Best of all, if you stay in one of the lagoon-view rooms, you can delight in a most inspiring panorama: over St. Mark's basin to Palladio's San Giorgio, Longena's Salute church, and the mouth of the Grand Canal. The same view is available, plus a view of the Dolomites on a clear day, from the rooftop dining terrace.

Built in 1908, this grand hotel with Moorish decor has old-fashioned charm and loads of amenities—from a private beach with white cabanas and a seasonal bar and restaurant to a swimming pool, gym, and tennis courts (though, oddly, no spa).

The elegant and refined facade announces a charming, and reasonably priced, place to stay; the hospitable staff, the tastefully decorated rooms, and the lovely garden, where guests can breakfast or drink, do not disappoint. After a long day of sightseeing, relax on a plush, velvet chair in the cozy bar or on a wrought-iron one in the garden beside a gushing fountain. The delicious sweet and savory breakfast buffet is a real treat. Family rooms are available.

Venetian grandeur meets a modern, relaxed ambience in this extensively renovated 16th-century palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal and bustling Campo Santo Sofia. Two rooms have balconies overlooking the campo and two plush suites lord over the Canale Grande, while the rooftop terrace offers truly spectacular Venetian vistas.

Set in a quiet corner of Cannaregio, with an attractive pool, courtyard, and guest rooms accented with rich Venetian furnishings and gold leaf flourishes, this is a decent option, especially if the Superior Deluxe rooms are on offer. Some may find the decor a tad cliché, but there's much to enjoy here, including rare outside hotel space, a garden room, and a billiard salon. Rooms vary considerably in size and have either rooftop or courtyard views, so book early and ask about the size and view.