The Best Hotels to Book When You Visit Venice

Looking for a historic hotel in Venice? Opulent decor like Murano glass chandeliers and elaborate headboards complement this renovated 15th-century residence, with its exposed beams and tiled Venetian floors. It’s situated in the authentic Dorsoduro sestiere (district), minutes from the Santa Lucia train station. Want to really feel like a local? Book one of Hotel Tiziano’s nearby detached apartments (all less than 100m/330ft away) with kitchenettes and stylish living spaces.

Historic meets modern chic in this beautiful hotel from the early 1600s, where rooms with classic architectural features are strewn with rich, stylish furnishings and accessories. Many of the bedrooms overlook the Grand Canal; the hotel has an exclusive “water gate” for direct access. Gaze at San Marco Basin from the hotel restaurant’s terrace as you indulge in delightfully presented Italian dishes complemented by a glass of local wine. The menu is excitingly long, and St Mark’s Square is but steps away.

Grandeur sweeps through this 19th-century stay. Step into the powder pink hotel to find elaborate architecture, striking art and creatively designed rooms. Book the junior suite featuring a canal-facing balcony and fresco-adorned ceiling for special occasions, or try the kitchen-included loft for groups. Hotel guests – excluding those lucky lofters – wake each day to freshly baked sweet pastries, savoury dishes and hot coffee. Explore Venice, on your doorstep, then grab a hotel library book and relax with an Aperol spritz in the courtyard as evening sets in.

Owned by the Romanelli family (who also run the popular Novecento Boutique Hotel) for over 50 years, Hotel Flora takes the Romanellis’ eye for design and applies it to the traditional Venetian aesthetic. The result is 40 rooms with an airy yet rustic feel: parquet floors, exposed beams, hand-carved beds and luxe floral print armchairs. You won’t find a hotel more centrally located, nor more family-friendly: as well as having several dedicated family rooms, the Flora serves a complimentary “kids tea” daily and recommends the best nearby family-oriented restaurants.

An equal distance from the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square, this luxurious four-star hotel lives up to its name with sumptuous interiors and a canal-side location. The boutique feel belies its large size; the building has 165 rooms to choose from. Contemporary decor includes subtle nods to Venice’s connections with Asia, with pointed headboards and velvet in rich shades of crimson and turquoise. For true glamour, stay in the four-person presidential suite; it has two sitting rooms, two bathrooms and optional butler service. The multilevel rooftop terrace offers fabulous views over the city – splendid indeed.

This restored palazzo from 1540 stays true to its original character with a combination of silk brocade, antique furnishings and sophisticated Murano glass chandeliers. The atrium sets a scene of grandeur as soon as you walk in, with marble floors, plush carpets and stained-glass windows. The highlight, however, is the peaceful private garden, where you can enjoy the continental breakfast (weather permitting) or just relax with a good book. The hotel is in the residential Cannaregio district, near the beautiful Ca d’Oro palace and gallery.

This lovely boutique hotel is in the central San Marco district, yet it’s far enough from the tourist traps to ensure a quiet night’s stay. The 26 rooms (including 14 suites) are classic Venetian: silk walls, red and gold furnishings and ubiquitous brocade. The balconies with Grand Canal views are confined to the deluxe suites, but all rooms – even the smallest – have a jacuzzi. Breakfast in the wood-panelled dining room comprises typical hot and cold options – cereal, croissants, toast, cheese and cured meats. An American-style bar serves afternoon tea and cocktails – sip on an Aperol spritz on the terrace while enjoying the view of the Rialto Bridge.

Hotel L’Orologio is a rare family-friendly hotel in Venice – the bespoke “family room” adjoins two superior rooms, and the hotel also offers cots, baby toiletries, bottle warmers and high chairs at no extra cost. Should you wish to have a romantic evening meal without the little ones, a babysitting service is available for an additional fee. L’Orologio means “clock” in Italian, and stunning macro photography prints allude to the theme. Overall, interiors are refreshingly modern: vermillion and ochre accents, leather chairs, clean lines and smart marble bathrooms. Peaceful enough for a solid night’s sleep yet centrally located in San Polo, it’s an ideal family getaway.

This four-star hotel in peaceful Dorsoduro faces onto the Palladian architecture and galleries of Giudecca island, a short hop away. The Galleria dell’Accademia and historic Squero di San Trovaso boatyard are also nearby. Rooms are modern Venetian executed with flair: gilded mirrors and chandeliers are refreshingly absent, with metallic accents limited to a little extra sparkle on the plush velvet throws and curtains. If a romantic getaway is what you’re after, choose the Skyline room, where the jacuzzi sits on the outdoor private terrace with views over the city.

One of the best-value hotels in Venice, Al Ponte Mocenigo in Santa Croce is removed from the major sights but also refreshingly devoid of tour groups. Set in a former palace, the rooms are decorated in classic Venetian style, with Murano chandeliers and a calming pastel green and gold colour scheme. The 10 original rooms surround the elegant courtyard; eight more are available in the annexe and can be a little noisier, so check when booking. The continental breakfast is comprised of pastries and fresh fruit and is served in the courtyard (weather permitting).