30 Best Hotels in Venice, Italy

Behind a brick wall, just over the bridge from the Frari church, this palazzo named "Beyond the Garden" is hard to find but well worth the effort: a sheltered location, large canal-side garden, and individually decorated guest rooms make it feel like a country house. Although furnished with antiques and other period touches, the prevalent white-and-pastel color scheme lightens the tone, making the hotel seem less formal than other Venetian lodgings. The owner's service is as conscientious as the renovation. As for pedigree, in the 1920s, Alma Mahler, a 20th-century femme fatale, lived here while she was married to author Franz Werfel.

The intimate upstairs terrace of this hospitable 16th-century palace inn is a perfect spot to survey the nearby Rialto scene while enjoying evening aperitivi and their fabulous homemade breakfasts. The interior, from the clubby yet cozy Venetian lounge-bar and library to the spacious guest rooms, is sumptuous, with brocade-tufted walls, period-style furniture, and hand-decorated exposed beam ceilings.

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 modern version of an albergo diffuso (scattered hotel) features rooms in five different traditional and colorful Burano houses, updated with design features created by local artisans and other Italian craftspeople. Since there's no central reception, guests check in at sister hotel Venissa, about a 10-minute walk; room rates also include breakfast at Venissa. Clean and contemporary guest rooms include oak floors and four-poster beds; tiled bathrooms have showers, while some also include tubs. Guests can also book personalized experiences with locals, such as lacemaking, gardening, and boating.

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.

A stylish yet intimate retreat tucked away on a quiet calle (street) midway between Piazza San Marco and the Accademia Bridge offers exquisite rooms tastefully decorated with original furnishings and tapestries from the Mediterranean and Far East. In the warmer months, breakfast is served in the charming inner courtyard. In the winter, a roaring fireplace greets those who wish to quietly read in the sitting room. The hotel also organizes art exhibitions on its main floor, giving visitors who are around during an opening reception the opportunity to meet local and international artists.

This opulently refurbished neo-Gothic palazzo features marble-column arches, terrazzo floors, frescoed ceilings, mosaics, and a charming carved staircase, and some rooms have tufted walls and parquet flooring. The street-level terrace that overlooks the Grand Canal is almost reason alone to stay here, beautiful for morning coffee or evening aperitivo, and if you are here on the first Sunday in September the terrace gives a front-row view of the boat procession and Regata Storica. From the rooftop terrace (which has a Jacuzzi) you get a classic Venetian view over the city's rooftops to the campanile of San Marco and even glimpses of the Dolomites on a clear day.

This laid-back contemporary guesthouse above Venissa’s osteria is the perfect place to enjoy a food- and wine-centric getaway far from the hectic Venetian mainland. Modern, light-colored rooms have beamed ceilings, wood floors, and comfortable beds; bright large-sized bathrooms include standalone showers. To complete the gourmet experience, be sure to reserve a table in Venissa’s popular restaurant or osteria well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Traditional, tasteful Venetian decor takes on a Carnevale theme in cozy, well-appointed, and comfortable rooms are enlivened by fanciful wall murals. A relaxed atmosphere pervades at this hotel's divine hot breakfast, where it is common to become engrossed in conversation with other guests as gondolas glide lazily by the water-level windows: this lovely state-of-mind is created by the hotel's attentive staff (but can be ruined by a plague of singing gondoliers!). Common areas have warm mahogany paneling, tufted leather furniture, beamed ceilings, and tapestries.

Recently 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.

A historic 13th-century palazzo near the Rialto markets is a welcome retreat on a tranquil corte (court), and individually decorated rooms have tufted walls and views of a lively canal or a quiet courtyard. The lofty piano nobile highlights architectural features including coffered ceilings, a massive trifora window, antique (reproduction) furniture, and Venetian terrazzo floors. Two exceptionally large rooms keep families comfortable. Note that the canal is a lively one, sometimes late into the evening.

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), 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.

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.

Cleverly converted from the former Convento dei Crociferi in 2012, Combo marries minimalist design with atmospheric cloisters and a gorgeous breakfast room--arts venue where a hearty buffet is served. There are a number of room options suited for singles, couples, and families on a budget; all have plain whitewashed walls, large beds, fridges, contemporary desks, and utilitarian bathrooms, some have quirky mezzanines, canal views, and kitchenettes. It's a good bet for those seeking unfussy decor and a hip, studenty Cannaregio bolthole with cultural events, a cafè, and restaurant.

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.

Wooden beams and iron columns are some of the original details still visible in this redbrick former flour mill–turned-hotel, which also features sublime views across the lagoon to Venice, particularly from the lively rooftop bar. Rooms are spacious—some have beamed ceilings and chandeliers, while others are more modern—and have comfortable beds, though only some include water views. Italian food is available at the hotel's two restaurants, and you can’t miss the hotel's buzzy Skyline Rooftop Bar for tasty cocktails and fabulous sunsets. The well-stocked gym is open 24 hours a day, and the spa (for an extra fee) includes a sauna, whirlpool, and Turkish bath. There's also a delightful rooftop pool open from May through September.

If you're in Venice to see art, you can't beat the location of this hotel, where all the spacious rooms have brocade fabrics and Venetian-style lacquered furniture. A yellow plaster facade welcomes you, and a hall decorated with reproduction antiques and Oriental rugs leads to a breakfast room reminiscent of a theater foyer, with red velvet chairs and gilt wall lamps. The delightful roof terrace is a welcome oasis in summer, with a drink from the hotel's bar. Three adjacent apartments are also available.

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.

Of-the-moment Parisian designer Dorothée Meilichzon composed the striped pastel color palette at this hip boutique hotel—the first Experimental Group property in Italy—hidden inside a Renaissance palazzo facing Giudecca Canal. Spacious rooms in soothing colors feature terrazzo floors and minibars filled with local products and ready-made Experimental Cocktail Club cocktails; some have balconies with fabulous canal views, while others overlook the back garden or, sometimes, adjacent buildings. The in-house Ristorante Adriatica serves coastally inspired cuisine, and you’d be remiss to stay here and not sample an inventive drink at the attached Experimental Cocktail Club. Some of Venice’s top art stops—the Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Punta della Dogana—are just a stroll away.

Many notables (including Victorian-era art critic John Ruskin) have stayed at this hotel, though they might not recognize it after its series of upscale renovations; it has an enviable location along the sunny Zattere, as well as comfy rooms and apartments with parquet floors, original 19th-century furniture, and firm beds. You can reserve the rooftop altana (wooden terrace) for sunbathing or a private retreat, or enjoy an afternoon tea in one of the lounge's quiet corners with flickering candlelight.

If eclectic Venetian charm is what you seek, this luminous residence near the Rialto has it: each of the individually decorated guest rooms has its own theater-theme wall painting by a local artist. The furnishings might be traditional, but the amenities are all contemporary, with signature linens, free Wi-Fi throughout, a kettle in every room, and a complimentary kimono in every bathroom. Every bed is king-size. Larger rooms have Venetian parquet flooring; the two upstairs "garret" rooms feature electronically controlled skylights.

Neatly decorated and light-filled rooms between St. Marks Square and the Rialto Bridge offer guests something rare in Venice—a central yet quiet base from which to explore the city. Five of the seven rooms have their own en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning, two have a shared bathroom and ceiling fan, and a few have canal views. A simple breakfast is served in a cheery breakfast room that overlooks a canal. The hospitable owner is around during the day to answer questions and offer restaurant suggestions; during the night, you are on your own.

Pastel lacquered furnishings and mock-flock wallpaper pay tribute to 18th-century Venetian style in the six bedrooms of this small pensione on a charming Castello campo; ask for one that overlooks the neighborhood life out front. You'll easily spot the canopied entrance, flanked by two topiaries and umbrella-topped café tables where you can take your breakfast or sip a late afternoon Prosecco in the sunshine.

Founded by Giuseppe Cipriani in the late 1920s, this intimate locanda (inn) on the island of Torcello remains in the Cipriani family and retains the simple, classy character of the period. The lovingly furnished rooms have large beds, plush armchairs, vaulted ceilings, and modern amenities—but absolutely no televisions; instead, each room comes with a well-stocked library. The in-house pastry chef provides a fresh breakfast each morning in either the dining room or in the garden under a pergola of roses; guests can also choose to dine at the locanda's excellent restaurant. Ernest Hemingway stayed in one of the comfortable rooms while writing "Across the River and Through the Trees."

Tucked behind Campo San Stefano in a charming little courtyard, this oasis offers small but peaceful rooms decorated in 18th-century Venetian style. Palazzo Grassi, Museo Fortuny, and the Accademia Museum are just steps away; San Marco and Rialto are both about a 15-minute walk. In the warmer months, breakfast is served alfresco amid the flowering garden overlooking Campiello Novo. Discounts are given for payment in cash.

Atmosphere prevails in this labyrinth of opulent, intimate spaces featuring classic Venetian decor combined with Eastern influences: common areas and guest rooms are filled with an assortment of antiques and curiosities. The best rooms are up on the roof, where there are also two spacious terraces. Suites feature sparkling mosaic sunken baths, Fortuny fabrics, and other notable architectural details.

At this atmospheric late-16th-century palazzo, you can experience warm hospitality, a lush private garden, and unusually spacious guest rooms well appointed with antique-style furniture, frescoed or stuccoed ceilings, and silk fabrics. The location is remote enough to escape the San Marco masses while still within striking distance of major sights, and there's a private dock for taxi arrival. In summer, breakfast is served in the gorgeous garden.

Renaissance- and Baroque-style common areas are soaring spaces with Venetian terrazzo flooring, frescoed and exposed-beam ceilings, and Murano chandeliers; guest rooms tastefully mix historical style with contemporary furnishings and appointments. Even smaller rooms are quite comfortable, and some of the larger doubles and suites showcase paintings by Tiepolo's maestro, Gregorio Lazzarini. Suites are supplied with coffeemakers, bathrobes, and DVD players.