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Venetian magic can still linger when you retire for the night, whether you're staying in a grand hotel or budget locanda (inn). Some of the finest Venetian hotel rooms are lighted with Murano chandeliers and swathed in famed fabrics of Rubelli and Bevilacqua, with gilded mirrors and furnishing styles from baroque to Biedermeier and art deco.
Though more-contemporary decor is working its way into renovation schemes, you still may find the prized Venetian terrazzo flooring and canal views in more-modest pensioni. Your window will open, sometimes onto a balcony, so you may enjoy gondoliers' serenades, watch the ebb and flow of city life in the campo (square) below, or simply contemplate what the lack of motor traffic permits you to hear, or not hear.
Even if well renovated, most hotels occupy very old buildings. Preservation laws prohibit elevators in some, so if climbing stairs is an issue, check before you book. In the lower price categories, hotels may not have lounge areas, and rooms may be cramped, and the same is true of standard rooms in more expensive hotels. Space is at a premium in Venice, and even exclusive hotels have carved out small, dowdy, Cinderella-type rooms in the "standard" category. It’s not at all unusual for each room to be different even on the same floor: windows overlooking charming canals and bleak alleyways are both common. En suite bathrooms have become the norm; they’re usually well equipped but sizes will range from compact to more than ample; tubs are considered a luxury but are not unheard of, even in less expensive lodging. Carpeted floors are rare, as they’re traditionally considered to be unhygienic. Air-conditioning is rarely a necessity until mid-June. A few of the budget hotels make do with fans. Mosquitoes can begin to pester in midsummer; turn lights off in the evening if you leave windows open, and ask the hotel staff for a Vape, an anti-mosquito device. The staff members at most Venetian hotels will be able to converse with you in English, and don’t be afraid to ask for anything you need or even to change rooms if you consider it necessary to do so.
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Hotels Filter
Hotel Canal Grande
$$$$ | Santa Croce 932, Venice, 30135, Italy
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Conveniently near the train station, this boutique hotel couples 18th-century elegance with modern amenities; the decoration, inspired by Venetian style, includes lush damasks, gold-framed mirrors, and plenty of Murano glass and Rezzonico-style floors. Even if you don't splurge for a room facing the Grand Canal, ask for a room with a view and avoid the annex. The breakfast room with its red-velvet chairs overlooks the Grand Canal. Guests can enjoy a drink on the scenic, albeit small, terrace.
THE BESTHOTEL IN VENICE
Palazzina Grassi
5
Overall Editor Rating
$$$ | Ramo Grassi 3247, Venice, 30124, Italy
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Fodor's Choice
Palazzina Grassi
FODOR’S EXPERT REVIEW
Palazzina Grassi is housed inside a 16th-century pocket-sized palazzo on the Grand Canal. But what isn’t small-scale is its character. The only hotel designed by French starchitect Philippe Starck in Italy, it is fabulous, fun, and full of surprises. His playful style pervades the property’s 25 rooms, show kitchen and dining room, and glamorous bar.
$$$$ | Isola di San Clemente 1, Venice, 30124, Italy
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Fodor's Choice
San Clemente Palace Venice
FODOR’S EXPERT REVIEW
San Clemente Palace, on San Clemente Island, is 10 minutes by boat from St Mark’s Square. The hotel is a haven of tranquillity and nature, a rare atmosphere to find in a city that now receives around 20 million tourists annually. The sprawling property, originally a monastery, offers bigger-than-average rooms compared to other Venice hotels, a labyrinth of elegant corridors and courtyards, and 15 acres of leafy parkland with a heated outdoor pool.
This self-proclaimed post-venezianità, or post-Venetian, hotel from the founders of the cult Venice-based sneaker brand Golden Goose lives inside one of the city’s oldest palazzos, 13th-century Ca’ da Mosto, and turns traditional Venetian style on its head. All 43 guest rooms are unique and individually designed, from the cozy post-Venetian rooms to the expansive family lofts and suites, some of which include freestanding tubs, steam rooms, exercise equipment, private balconies overlooking the Grand Canal—and, for the ultimate luxury, your very own pool. Artworks borrowed from the owners’ private art collection, from the likes of Cy Twombly, Joseph Beuys, and Bruce Nauman, adorn the walls throughout the property. Aperitivo on the terrace overlooking the Grand Canal is a can’t-miss event, especially the Erose Americano cocktail paired with a fine selection of cichetti (snacks). While there’s no full spa, they do have a treatment room, as well as a small indoor pool and Turkish bath that can be rented for an extra charge. The Venice M’Art concept store attached to the hotel sells not only Golden Goose sneakers, but a carefully curated selection of covetable objects, from bath products to housewares, so you can take a taste of Venice Venice’s impeccable aesthetic home with you.
Right off Venice’s main shopping street and a stone’s throw from Piazza San Marco, the former 20th-century stock exchange now houses this supremely comfortable hotel with an art deco flair, charming rooms with private terraces, and a glittering enclosed rooftop pool. Guest rooms feature stucco marble and marmorino finishes, velvet couches and chairs, and Murano glass objects; some suites have terraces with Venetian rooftop views, perfect for enjoying an evening aperitivo. Elegant bathrooms are embellished with mosaic tiles and brass fixtures; some include deep soaking tubs. The colonnaded lobby invites lounging in its many comfy chairs and couches, while the Library Bar includes more than 4,000 carefully selected books (many of them about art) along with a frescoed ceiling. The Nolinski offers two restaurant choices, the courtyard Il Caffè, which makes a lovely setting for a lunch or dinner of Mediterranean cuisine, and the Palais Royal Restaurant, housed in a grand former auditorium. Perhaps the hotel’s pièce de résistance is the gold-tiled indoor rooftop pool, offering sublime Venice views, next to the treatment rooms of the Ottoman-inspired spa.
The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice
$$$$ | Campo Santa Maria del Giglio 2467, Venice, 30124, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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Courtesy of The Gritti Palace
With handblown chandeliers, sumptuous textiles, and sweeping canal views, this grande dame (whose history dates from 1525, when it was built as the residence of the prominent Gritti family) represents aristocratic Venetian living at its best. Although renovations have been done since the palace became a hotel in the 19th century, many original architectural details remain, including wooden ceilings, patterned flooring, and—depending on the room category—flourishes like 18th-century Murano wall lamps, silk damask Rubelli fabrics, and traditional Venetian stucco. If you enjoy executive chef Alberto Fol's locally influenced menus at one of the Grand Canal–view restaurants, you can enjoy a Chef's Table experience with the master himself. The Gritti Epicurean School hosts cooking classes and wine tastings. The treatments at the Gritti Spa -- Sisley Paris incorporate the Italian-made line's aromatic scents, each named after a different region of the country.
Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo
$ | Santa Croce 1985, 30135, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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Courtesy Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo
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.
Oltre il Giardino
$$ | San Polo 2542, 30125, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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Courtesy Oltre il Giardino-Casaifrari
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.
Baglioni Hotel Luna
$$$$ | San Marco 1243, 30124, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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Just a short stroll from Piazza San Marco—though on a quiet side street that seems a world away—this charming hotel will please those seeking traditional, though freshly updated, Venetian decor in an ultraconvenient location. Each room is done up differently, though all feature period furnishings, Murano glass chandeliers, and patterned wallpaper. To truly feel like royalty, stay in the Sansovini Lagoon View or San Giorgio Terrace suites; they contain enormous private terraces where the views of rooftops and water last for miles. All gleaming marble and with double sinks, some bathrooms have deep soaking tubs or even double showers. Dellaluna bath products amp up the sophisticated feel. Canova Restaurant by Sadler offers a Venetian tasting menu with some creative flourishes as well as a vegetarian tasting menu, along with a large selection of à la carte dishes. There's also a brand-new spa with steam baths, a relaxation area, and massage rooms.
With amazing service, wonderful rooms, fab restaurants, and a large pool and spa—all just a five-minute boat ride from Piazza San Marco (the hotel water shuttle leaves every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day)—the Cipriani is Venetian luxe at its best. Those craving A-lister exclusivity can splash out on a lavish suite facing San Marco in the adjoining Palazzo Vendramin.
One of the city's most intimate and elegant getaways blends terrazzo floors, dramatic Murano chandeliers, and antique-style furnishings with contemporary touches, particularly in the African-wood reception area and breakfast room. Impressively, five dramatic "concept rooms" take on themes from Venetian history; the Doge's Room is draped in deep-red brocades, while the Oriental Room is inspired by the travels of Marco Polo.
Casa Burano
$$ | Via Giudecca 139, Burano, 30142, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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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.
One of the city's most famous lodgings—built in the 14th century and run as a hotel since 1822—lives up to its reputation: the chance to explore the wonderful, highly detailed lobby is itself a reason to book an overnight stay, plus the views along the lagoon are fantastic, the rooms gorgeous, and the food fabulous.
Hotel Flora
$$ | San Marco 2283/A, Venice, 30124, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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The elegant and refined facade announces a charming, and reasonably priced, place to stay; the hospitable staff, the tastefully decorated rooms, and the lovely garden, where guests can breakfast or drink, do not disappoint. After a long day of sightseeing, relax on a plush, velvet chair in the cozy bar or on a wrought-iron one in the garden beside a gushing fountain. The delicious sweet and savory breakfast buffet is a real treat. Family rooms are available.
A wall of windows soaks up extraordinary, sweeping views of the lagoon and the island of San Giorgio, enjoyed from many of the individually decorated guest rooms and suites, which have fine fabric, damask drapes, Biedermeier furniture, Venetian glass, and marble bathrooms. The downstairs restaurant is all glass, light, and water views, as are some of the neoclassical public rooms, with splashes of blue-and-green glass suggesting the sea. The vista must have been pleasing to Tchaikovsky, who wrote his Fourth Symphony here in 1877. The staff is top-notch, as are the restaurant and the bar.
Hyatt Centric Murano Venice
$ | Riva Longa 49, 30141, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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Befitting its location on Murano, this well-situated hotel is in a former glassmaking factory and has vitreous works of art throughout; it also has spacious, contemporary guest rooms with dark-wood floors and brown-and-cream color schemes. The Osteriva restaurant, open for lunch and dinner daily, serves regional cuisine, and the Rivalonga Bar + Lounge is a delightful place for both guests and nonguests looking for an evening drink after sleepy Murano shuts down.
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
$$$ | Laguna di San Marco, 30133, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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Once you get a taste of the resort's lush gardens, fabulous spa, and fantastic pools—all set on an exclusive island called Isole Delle Rose, a 20-minute boat ride from Venice—you may find yourself quickly settling in to la dolce vita.
Novecento Boutique Hotel
$$ | San Marco 2683/84, Venice, 30124, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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A stylish yet intimate retreat tucked away on a quiet calle (street) midway between Piazza San Marco and the Accademia Bridge offers exquisite rooms tastefully decorated with original furnishings and tapestries from the Mediterranean and Far East. In the warmer months, breakfast is served in the charming inner courtyard. In the winter, a roaring fireplace greets those who wish to quietly read in the sitting room. The hotel also organizes art exhibitions on its main floor, giving visitors who are around during an opening reception the opportunity to meet local and international artists.
Palazzo Paruta
$$$ | San Marco 3824, Venice, 30124, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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Steeped in lavish Venetian ambience, junior suites are palatial, superior rooms comfortably sized, bright, and well appointed, and ornate frescoes, pastel bas-reliefs, and splendid coffered and carved beamed ceilings abound. What is not original is reproduced to seem so. Carrara marble lines bathroom walls hung with Venetian-style mirrors. After crossing the private bridge that leads to the hotel, guests are greeted with a glass of Prosecco in a green, open courtyard. Many of the common areas, including the spectacular breakfast area, overlook the courtyard. Ask for rooms with views over a quiet side canal. For even larger spaces, try the adjacent apartments, under the same ownership.
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.
The St. Regis Venice
$$$$ | San Marco 2159, Venice, 30124, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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Whimsical design details evoking the Venetian landscape abound in this elegant, contemporary hotel constructed from five historic palazzi with phenomenal views onto the Grand Canal. Lovely guest rooms reflect the colors of the city at either dawn or dusk, and include such details as bed headboards echoing the curve of the gondolas and patterns on the bathroom mirrors reminiscent of Murano glass; some feature large furnished terraces with views of the canal and Santa Maria della Salute. Grey-and-white marble bathrooms include walk-in showers; some also have deep soaking tubs. Gio's Restaurant serves Venetian and Italian dishes, or try a seasonally changing cocktail indoors or out at one of the two bars, the St. Regis Bar or the Arts Bar. The compact yet well-stocked fitness room is open 24 hours a day, and spa suites are available for massages and facials.
This laid-back contemporary guesthouse above Venissa’s osteria is the perfect place to enjoy a food- and wine-centric getaway far from the hectic Venetian mainland. Modern, light-colored rooms have beamed ceilings, wood floors, and comfortable beds; bright large-sized bathrooms include standalone showers. To complete the gourmet experience, be sure to reserve a table in Venissa’s popular restaurant or osteria well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Violino d’Oro
$$$$ | San Marco 2091, Venice, 30124, Italy
Fodor's Choice
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Hoteliers Sara and Elena Maestrelli partnered with solely Italian designers on every aspect of their 17th-century palazzo-turned-hotel, from ceramics to window frames to wall paintings, in what they call an “Italian artisanal product,” overlooking Rio San Moise canal. Light and bright guest rooms range from cozy classic style to decadent suites with panoramic water views. Il Piccolo restaurant serves homestyle Venetian cuisine, with a strong focus on vegetables, while Il Piccolo Bar dishes out lighter meals of cicheti (also with a vegetarian version) and cocktails. This is one home-away-from-home you may never want to leave.
Locanda Orseolo
$$ | San Marco 1083, Venice, 30124, Italy
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Courtesy Locanda Orseolo
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.
3749 Ponte Chiodo
$ | Cannaregio 3749, Venice, 30121, Italy
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Spending time at this charming guesthouse secreted away down narrow Calle Racheta 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.
Al Palazzetto
$ | Cannaregio 4057, Venice, 30121, Italy
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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.
Al Teatro
$$$ | San Marco 2554, Venice, 30124, Italy
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The renovated home of owner Eleonora behind the Fenice Opera House offers three spacious, comfortable, and conscientiously appointed rooms; each has its own private bath and overlooks a gondola-filled canal. The largest room has a broad balcony. An ample breakfast (served at a common table) and exceptional service make Al Teatro an excellent value and a relaxing choice in the sometimes-frenetic San Marco atmosphere. Book well in advance.
Alla Vite Dorata
$$ | Cannaregio 4690 B, Venice, 30121, Italy
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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.
Aman Venice
$$$$ | San Polo 1364, Venice, 30125, Italy
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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.
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