The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Venice

This place – or, shall we say, palace – couldn’t be more Venetian. Overlooking the Cannaregio Canal, the creamy façade might look simple but step within and you’ll be plunged into a maze of neoclassic frescoes, gilded mirrors and ornate stucco detailing. Romantic, luxurious and opulent are the watchwords, which is why it’s popular with honeymooners and weddings; subtle, it is not. Make time to sink an Aperol spritz at the al fresco snack bar right on the water.

If a sweeping view of the San Marco basin is on your wish list, make for Hotel Londra – the rooftop turret is one of the highest in the area, and affords a 360-degree panorama of Venice, including over those sparkling waters. A picnic-style lunch up here is an essential part of any stay, though you’ll also want to reserve at least one meal for the elegant Do Leoni main restaurant. Come for Festa del Redentore in July and you’ll have five-star views of the fireworks.

Welcome to a Venetian legend. Once the home of Andrea Gritti, doge of Venice, the Gritti Palace occupies a postcard-perfect spot at the mouth of the Grand Canal. Built in 1475, the hotel was restored in 2013 without detracting from the 15th-century character. Gold trim, marble walls and priceless artworks create an ambience of old-world glamour that hides state-of-the-art tech. Enquire about your room location, as some face away from the canal onto a quiet courtyard. The in-house Club del Doge Restaurant serves unpretentious authentic Italian dishes in a romantic space.

What if one palace isn’t enough? Hotel Danieli combines three Venetian palazzi from the 14th, 19th and 20th centuries for a total of 204 rooms. Take your pick from a Venetian Gothic suite with a sleek marble bathroom, or a luxury double room with a balcony and a view of the lagoon. Here, even the most modest of double rooms have Murano glass chandeliers. The hotel also has great water-transport links, and the central Piazza San Marco is a few steps away. Savour an evening on the rooftop Restaurant Terrazza Danieli with views over the most famous architectural landmarks in the city.

Palazzo Venart may be young (it opened in 2016), but this five-star stunner in Santa Croce is serious competition for its older, more established counterparts. With just 18 rooms occupying a sensitively restored 16th-century palazzo, it has a boutique vibe. Each room has been individually decorated, from the Carnival Room that pairs original painted ceiling beams with brightly coloured Venetian masks to the 50sqm (538sqft) Grand Canal Suite that features a gilded lounge with parquet floors and, of course, canal views. The Michelin-starred GLAM restaurant reimagines traditional Venetian cuisine as high art.

Looking for a Venice hotel with a pool? Look no further. Located on a private island in a southern lagoon, the JW Marriott Venice Resort and Spa was originally a 1920s sanatorium. These days, it serves as a relaxing and luxurious retreat away from the tourist crush. There’s a full roster of experiences on offer, including Venetian-cookery lessons at the in-house Sapori Cooking Academy, yoga classes, wine tastings, a fully equipped spa and three swimming pools. Venice is 20 minutes away via a complimentary shuttle service.

Stepping into the Belmond Hotel Cipriani is like walking into the lifestyle of the rich and famous, where an Olympic-sized pool, private butlers, fine wines and tennis courts await. The luxurious spa looks onto the intimate Casanova Gardens where, it is said, the legendary lothario courted his lovers. The Michelin-starred restaurant, Oro, has a 1,000-strong wine list and seafood dishes so delicate, they’re assembled using tweezers. The edible flowers and herbs that adorn your plate are all harvested from the hotel garden. You’re some distance from the centre here, but a complimentary ferry ride will whizz you there in just five minutes.

This 16th-century convent, designed by the great Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio and now part of the Bauer hotel group, retains a tranquillity bolstered by a setting away from Central Venice, on the island of Giudecca. As the name suggests, the emphasis is on wellness, with an extensive spa set over two floors and eight rooms. Every treatment imaginable is available, including exfoliation, volcanic clay body masks, steam detoxification and a variety of massages. It’s even possible to have a massage in the lush garden, one of the largest private green spaces in the city.

Just a couple of streets from Piazza San Marco, the 18th-century Venetian-gothic Bauer Palazzo brings together the best of Venice in sumptuous decoration – Murano glass chandeliers, period furniture and silk textiles by Rubelli and Bevilacqua. The rooftop restaurant, Settimo Cielo (Seventh Heaven), has the highest terrace in Venice, with unrivalled views of the Campanile di San Marco. There’s also a lovely canal-side bar – perfect for evening cocktails. Though the Bauer Palazzo lacks a spa, it does provide a free shuttle service to the nearby Bauer Palladio.

Once the home of the aristocratic Sagredo family, the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel is for art lovers. Every inch of this 15th-century palazzo is brimming with fine details, making a stay at this luxury Venice hotel akin to sleeping in a museum. The canal-facing Library Suite retains the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that once held the collection of Zaccaria Sagredo, an 18th-century patron of the arts; and the Art Suite is a masterpiece of 18th-century stucco. The hotel gained international attention as the site of Lorenzo Quinn’s Support sculpture, a giant pair of hands that became a defining image of the 2017 Venice Biennale.

Housed in a 14th-century palace, this artfully renovated hotel might be a grand residence but is small enough to deliver on the personal touches that make a trip memorable. From entertaining anecdotes about the Venetian way of life to hassle-free tour booking, nothing is too much trouble for the staff here. Plus, the hotel is in the most tranquil part of the historic centre, with the magnificent Rialto Bridge in sight.

Experience a modern twist on traditional Venetian luxury at the St Regis Venice. This hotel, in the former Grand Hotel Britannia, officially opened in 2019, although it’s said to have welcomed such esteemed guests as Impressionist painter Claude Monet under previous ownership. For a truly lavish stay, make use of the butler service.

Overlooking the Grand Canal, the boutique resort of Palazzetto Pisani is within eyeshot of the Accademia Bridge and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Built in the 16th century, it retains original features, including precious antiques and period fireplaces. You’ll be greeted with a welcome drink, and international newspapers are around in the lobby, so (although you’ll be surrounded by history) it’s easy to stay up to date with current affairs.

Within striking distance of the Rialto Bridge and the Basilica dei Frari, the Venezia Palazzo Barocci is set in the finest area in the city. Part of the NH Group, it underwent a huge renovation in 2014, which brought the decor into the 21st century. The courtyard garden, complete with a fountain, is a wonderful place to relax with a cocktail.

If you’re looking for world-class service, you won’t need to search further than Hotel Metropole, in the Castello neighbourhood. This hotel ditches design clichés and instead treads a bold path: Eastern splendour meets Venetian style. The in-house spa draws heavily on Middle Eastern influence, offering a relaxing ancient hammam experience.

Housed in a former glass-making furnace on the island of Murano, the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice offers a complimentary water taxi from Marco Polo Airport, and that sets the tone for the service you can expect throughout your stay. Enjoy a permanent lighting exhibition dedicated to the world-famous glassmaker Paolo Venini.