Best Luxury Hotels in Venice, Italy
Are you looking for the best luxury hotels in Venice, Italy?
I’ve been to Venice quite a few times now, and I can safely say it’s one of my favorite destinations in Italy. It’s one of the most beautiful and improbable cities in the world, built on the water and made up of more than 150 canals and 400 bridges. It’s a city from a different era, and walking down a quiet street, you can easily forget the present and imagine that you’ve traveled back in time hundreds of years.
Although only 50,000 residents live in Venice’s historic center, more than 5.5 million tourists visit each year, causing problems for the city. Environmental damage means that the city is quite literally sinking and floods are frequent, while the massive number of tourists puts a strain on the city’s infrastructure.
This is why I highly advise against visiting Venice in the summer when it’s at its most unpleasant due to sky-high temperatures and crowds. Spring, fall, and winter are much more enjoyable seasons to visit.
I also recommend spending at least three days in Venice. You can’t do Venice justice on a day trip, and having several days to explore will allow you to experience all that the city has to offer.
Related: 12 Venice Travel Tips to Know Before You Go
Where to Stay in Venice, Italy
When it comes to where to stay in Venice, I recommend staying in the historic center.
Venice is a large city that is actually made up of more than 100 islands in the Venetian Lagoon, along with a sizable area on the mainland too. But the historic center is the most beautiful part of the city where you’ll find Venice’s most famous sights. It’s connected to the mainland by bridge and by boat.
On all my visits to Venice, I’ve stayed in the historic center. You can get around easily on foot, or by water bus or water taxi in the canals. (And yes, even by gondola, although that will cost you a pretty penny!)
Venice’s historic center is broken down into sestieri, or six distinct districts. San Marco is the tourist heart of Venice, while nearby Dorsoduro is an extremely vibrant area full of museums, cafes, plazas, and bars. Cannaregio is a really cool area to stay in because it’s less touristy and more local.
Venice has a variety of accommodations, but where it really shines is its unique luxury properties. You’ll find some of the most memorable, incredible luxury hotels in the world in Venice.
I stayed at The St. Regis Venice on my latest trip to Venice, and I’d highly recommend it.
This hotel is in the perfect location for exploring Venice. It’s located on the Grand Canal and it’s just a five-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square, and yet it feels tucked away from the crowds.
Here are all my top picks for where to stay in Venice:
- Best overall: The St. Regis Venice
- Best off the tourist trail: NH Collection Venezia Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi
- Best romantic hotel: The Gritti Palace
And here’s a full breakdown of the best luxury hotels in Venice:
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The St. Regis Venice
One of the best luxury hotels in Venice, Italy is the St. Regis Venice. This opulent hotel is set on the Grand Canal, just a five-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square and many of Venice’s top attractions. I stayed at the St. Regis on my latest trip to Venice, and I was blown away by the property and the service.
This hotel offers bright rooms with a modern yet classic style, some of which have private terraces. There’s also a private terrace, where you can enjoy a meal or a drink and admire the view of the Grand Canal.
The Gritti Palace
The Gritti Palace is one of the most famous luxury hotels in Venice, and it’s the place to stay if you want to splurge on an unforgettable stay. Set in a former noble residence on the Grand Canal of Venice, this hotel is in an amazing central location and offers views of the canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.
Part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, this hotel offers opulent rooms with antique furnishings and Murano glass fixtures. The hotel also has a canal-front restaurant, several bars, and a private pier.
NH Collection Venezia Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi
NH Collection Venezia Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi is one of my favorite hotels in Venice. This is where I stayed on my first trip to Venice, and I loved it so much I came back a couple of years later.
Located in Cannaregio, this hotel is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood away from the crowds of the more touristy parts of Venice. Although it’s a longer walk to get to many parts of Venice, the hotel also offers a free water taxi to St. Mark’s Square in case you don’t feel like getting lost in the maze-like streets.
The hotel and its grounds are absolutely beautiful, located in a former 16th-century palace.
Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel
Palazzo Venart is a boutique luxury hotel in Venice. Located in a 16th-century palace in a less touristy area of the city, this hotel offers a quiet retreat while still being close to all that Venice has to offer.
Guests will enjoy lavish rooms in a traditional Venetian style, a tranquil private garden, a delicious included breakfast each morning, and a Michelin-starred restaurant at the hotel.
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for a luxurious and secluded stay in Venice, the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa is a great choice. Located on Isola delle Rose, a private island in the Venetian Lagoon, this resort offers a free water shuttle to St. Mark’s Square so you can get to the heart of Venice in just 20 minutes.
Since it’s disconnected from the historic center of Venice, this hotel is a good place to stay if you’re looking for a large resort with amenities including three swimming pools, a large spa, multiple restaurants, and other things you won’t typically find in smaller hotels in the historic center of Venice.
Hotel Metropole
Hotel Metropole is a luxury boutique hotel in Venice’s Castello neighborhood. Located within walking distance from St. Mark’s Square, this hotel is convenient yet close to a less touristy part of Venice.
This hotel offers rooms with lavish decor in Oriental style, some with their own private terraces. There’s also an on-site restaurant, bar, lounge, private garden, and spa for guests to enjoy.
Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Nani Venice
The Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Nani Venice is another one of the best luxury hotels in Venice. Located in Cannaregio, this hotel is a short walk away from the train station. While the hotel itself retains the decadent style of a historic palazzo, the rooms are modern and stylishly updated.
If you want to stay in a quieter, less touristy part of Venice, this is a great place to base yourself. The hotel also offers a daily free breakfast, a private terrace, a restaurant, and a bar.
Ca’ Bonfadini Historic Experience
Housed in a 16th-century former palace on the canal, Ca’ Bonfadini Historic Experience is a boutique luxury hotel in the quiet neighborhood of Cannaregio in Venice, just a short walk from the train station.
The rooms in this hotel are opulently decorated in traditional Venetian style. This hotel also has a waterfront restaurant where you can relax after a day of exploring the city, and free daily breakfast.
Londra Palace Venezia
Londra Palace is a historic luxury hotel in Venice that has been welcoming travelers since 1853. This hotel is located on the Riva degli Schiavoni, a short walk from St. Mark’s Square.
Some rooms have private terraces that overlook some of the most beautiful views in Venice, and the hotel also has a private rooftop terrace where guests can enjoy their daily included breakfast.
Cipriani, a Belmond Hotel
If you’re looking for an exclusive retreat away from the crowds, Cipriani, a Belmond Hotel, is one of the best places to stay in Venice. Situated on Giudecca Island, a private island in the Venetian Lagoon just five minutes from St. Mark’s Square by complimentary private water shuttle, this hotel is truly an oasis.
It offers a large outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, and a spa and wellness center. After a day of exploring Venice, you can come back to this hotel and enjoy dinner in one of its restaurants.
Best Luxury Hotels in Venice, Italy
This guide showed you the best luxury hotels in Venice.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Best overall: The St. Regis Venice
- Best off the tourist trail: NH Collection Venezia Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi
- Best romantic hotel: The Gritti Palace
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Venice!
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- 12 Venice Travel Tips to Know Before You Go
- 11 Best Day Trips from Venice, Italy
- Best Time to Visit Venice, Italy: Season-by-Season Guide
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- 15 Best Luxury Hotels in Rome, Italy
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