From Clooney’s Wedding to Hemingway’s Hideaway: Best Hotels in Venice Revealed
Venice deserves more than just a hotel—it deserves a palace. Discover the best hotels in Venice Italy where legends, lovers, and luxury meet.
Venice is never the same twice. I’ve wandered its foggy alleys in winter, watched gondolas glide under spring sunshine, basked in the golden glow of autumn, and felt the city’s rhythm in the height of summer. I’ve already shared with you how to spend 24 hours in Venice, the joy of Venice Carnival, the best areas to stay in Venice, the must-try traditional Venetian food, and even created a perfect 2-day Venice itinerary filled with bucket-list wonders. But if you are searching for the pinnacle of indulgence, if you want your stay in La Serenissima to be wrapped in velvet, history, and views that feel like a dream—then this guide is for you.
These are the best hotels in Venice. Not just places to sleep, but destinations in themselves: palaces reborn as sanctuaries of elegance, hideaways where royalty, film stars, and poets once lingered, and modern icons reshaping Venetian hospitality. Let’s step inside.
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1. Hotel Danieli
Few addresses in Venice evoke such romance as Hotel Danieli, set just steps from St. Mark’s Square. Walking through its gilded lobby feels like stepping back into a Gothic fairy tale. With opulent Murano chandeliers, crimson damask walls, and a marble staircase that spirals like a sculpture, Danieli preserves the grandeur of a Venetian palace. The rooftop terrace whispers of unforgettable evenings with panoramic views stretching across the lagoon to San Giorgio Maggiore. Its history is just as rich—Lord Byron and Charles Dickens stayed here, as did countless movie stars during the Venice Film Festival. It even played a starring role on screen, portrayed as the main lodging in the film The Tourist. Today, Hotel Danieli continues to embody old-world glamour while offering every modern comfort. If Venice is a stage, Hotel Danieli is its royal box seat. Click here to see the rates.
2. The Gritti Palace
Overlooking the Grand Canal, The Gritti Palace is a love letter to Venetian style. Once the home of the Doge Andrea Gritti, the palace is now one of the best hotels in Venice Italy, where history and hospitality intertwine. Step inside and you’ll find hand-restored frescoes, shimmering mirrors, and precious fabrics by Rubelli adorning the rooms. The Gritti’s bar has hosted Ernest Hemingway, who famously found inspiration here. Dining at the Gritti Terrace, with gondolas drifting by and the golden facade of the Salute Basilica in view, feels like savoring Venice itself. Staying here is more than luxury—it is an immersion in centuries of Venetian culture. Find out the rates.
3. Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel
On Giudecca Island, just across the lagoon from St. Mark’s, lies Cipriani—Venice’s ultimate escape. Founded by Giuseppe Cipriani, the creator of the Bellini cocktail, this legendary hotel is synonymous with timeless indulgence. Its lush gardens, Olympic-size pool (a rarity in Venice), and views of the Doge’s Palace make it a serene refuge. Interiors exude understated elegance, with Venetian silks and polished wood glowing in natural light. Over the decades, the Cipriani has been the secret retreat of Hollywood royalty—Elizabeth Taylor, Angelina Jolie and George Clooney both adored it. Here, you can sip a Bellini, while watching the sunset transform the lagoon into liquid gold. Find out the rates.
4. Bauer Palazzo
At the edge of the Grand Canal, Bauer Palazzo blends classic Venetian opulence with contemporary flair. Inside, Art Deco touches meet Murano glass chandeliers and marble-clad spaces, creating a sophisticated ambiance. Opened in the 1880s, the Bauer became a favorite among aristocrats and later, Hollywood stars. Today, it remains one of the best hotels in Venice, a place where historic glamour meets modern chic. Staying here feels like being at the crossroads of Venice’s past and present. Find the room rates here.
5. Ca’Sagredo
Ca’Sagredo is not just a hotel; it is a museum you can sleep in. Housed in a 15th-century palace on the Grand Canal, it has been declared a national monument. Walking its corridors, you encounter monumental staircases, frescoes by Venetian masters, and grand ballrooms that once hosted noble gatherings. The rooms themselves are decorated with antique furnishings and soaring ceilings, many overlooking the canal. The hotel preserves its aristocratic spirit while welcoming travelers into its living history. Ca’Sagredo is for those who want to wake up inside a Venetian painting. Check out the rates.
6. St. Regis Venice
St. Regis Venice brings contemporary luxury to the city’s most coveted location: directly across from the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Sleek interiors marry modern Italian design with subtle nods to Venice’s artistic heritage. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto private terraces with unparalleled lagoon views. The St. Regis Butler Service adds a touch of personalized perfection, ensuring every stay is effortless. Known for attracting fashion icons during the Venice Biennale, this hotel is a hub of modern glamour. If you want a fresh, stylish take on Venetian luxury, St. Regis is where you’ll find it. Find out the room rates.
7. Al Ponte Antico
Al Ponte Antico is Venice at its most intimate. Tucked along the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge, this family-run boutique hotel offers just nine rooms, each glowing with warmth and character. Step onto the small terrace and you’re rewarded with one of the best views in Venice: the Rialto Bridge, glowing at sunrise. Inside, golden stuccos, silk-lined walls, and carved wooden ceilings capture traditional Venetian charm. Celebrities love its privacy. Al Ponte Antico is proof that the best hotels in Venice Italy don’t need to be grand palaces; sometimes, intimacy is the greatest luxury. Explore the room rates here.
8. San Clemente Palace Kempinski
Imagine having an entire island to yourself. San Clemente Palace Kempinski, set on a private island in the Venetian Lagoon, offers exactly that. Once a monastery, this sprawling resort combines historical architecture with manicured gardens and tranquil courtyards. Its spacious rooms overlook either the lagoon or the lush parkland, and the infinity pool is one of the most spectacular in Venice. Celebrities and dignitaries love the discretion it provides. Arriving by boat, you feel like you’re entering your own secret kingdom—a sanctuary of peace just minutes from San Marco. You can check out the room rates here.
9. Sina Centurion Palace
On the Grand Canal, opposite the Salute Basilica, Sina Centurion Palace is where Venetian Gothic architecture meets avant-garde design. The hotel occupies a 19th-century palace, but inside, its interiors dazzle with bold colors, contemporary art, and dramatic contrasts. Suites are modern works of art, each unique and stylishly playful. Its waterside terrace is one of the most romantic dining spots in Venice, watching the gondolas glide past. Known for hosting international artists and designers, Sina Centurion Palace is perfect for those who want to experience Venice through a creative, modern lens. Find out the room options here.
10. Aman Venice
Tucked inside the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli, Aman Venice is where understated modernity blends with historical splendor. With just 24 rooms, it feels like a private palazzo. The walls are adorned with frescoes by Tiepolo, the ceilings soar with stuccos, yet the interiors are serene and minimal in true Aman style. The gardens, rare in Venice, are a tranquil escape. George and Amal Clooney famously chose Aman Venice for their wedding celebrations, and it remains a symbol of refined discretion. Staying here is like being entrusted with the keys to a Venetian treasure. Check out its rates here.
11. JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Set on Isola delle Rose, JW Marriott Venice offers a unique resort experience just 20 minutes from San Marco. Surrounded by olive groves and gardens, it feels worlds away from the bustle of Venice. The spa is one of the best in the city, complete with pools, wellness treatments, and rooftop views stretching over the lagoon. Rooms are sleek and modern, with terraces that open to endless horizons. The hotel has become a favorite for international artists and creatives looking for a retreat during the Venice Biennale. For those seeking space and tranquility, this is one of the best hotels in Venice. Discover the available room options and rates here.
12. Hotel Excelsior
The grand dame of the Lido, Hotel Excelsior is where Venice meets the sea. Opened in 1908, its Moorish-style architecture and beachfront setting made it an icon of Belle Époque luxury. Its gilded halls have hosted the world’s elite, from Hollywood royalty during the Venice Film Festival to European aristocracy. The private beach and spacious suites make it ideal for a glamorous summer escape. Staying at the Excelsior is stepping into Venice’s golden age of travel, where elegance meets seaside leisure. Explore the rooms and rates here.
13. Hotel Casanova
Named after Venice’s most famous lover, Hotel Casanova offers classic charm in an enviable location near St. Mark’s Square. The interiors are more restrained than the grand palaces, but filled with rich fabrics, carved wood, and a timeless elegance that suits the name. It’s easy to imagine Casanova himself slipping through its corridors. Guests appreciate its combination of history, intimacy, and central location. While less ostentatious than other five-star icons, it delivers the romance of Venice with every detail. Find out its room rates.
14. The Venice Venice Hotel
Bold, modern, and unapologetically artistic, The Venice Venice Hotel has reimagined what luxury means in La Serenissima. Set in a Gothic palace overlooking the Rialto, it has been transformed into a contemporary art space as much as a hotel. Rooms feature cutting-edge design, striking installations, and views that frame the Grand Canal as living art. It draws artists, curators, and those seeking the avant-garde spirit of Venice. If traditional palaces are too predictable, Venice Venice is your invitation to the city’s creative heartbeat. Find its room rates here.
15. Nolinski Venezia – Evok Collection
One of the newest stars among the best hotels in Venice Italy, Nolinski Venezia by Evok Collection is a masterpiece of modern elegance. Inside a 20th-century palace near St. Mark’s, it merges French sophistication with Venetian flair. Velvet, marble, and brass accents create an atmosphere of cosmopolitan glamour. Its cocktail bar and spa have already become favorite haunts for design lovers. Nolinski feels like Venice reinvented for the 21st century: daring, chic, and utterly seductive. Explore the room rates here.
16. Londra Palace Venezia
For over 160 years, Londra Palace has been one of the most refined hotels on Riva degli Schiavoni. Overlooking the lagoon with views of San Giorgio, its rooms are individually decorated, blending antiques with rich fabrics. Tchaikovsky once composed here, inspired by its serene beauty. Today, guests are drawn by its intimate luxury, personalized service, and the sense that every corner holds a story. Londra Palace is Venice distilled: timeless, elegant, unforgettable. See the room and the rates here.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Hotels in Venice
Venice is a city that has always lived by its own rhythm, where palaces float on water and history lingers in every piazza, every bridge, every candlelit reflection in the Grand Canal. Staying in one of the best hotels in Venice is not just about luxury—it’s about stepping into that rhythm, becoming part of the city’s story, if only for a few days.
Whether you dream of gilded ceilings at Hotel Danieli, Hemingway’s favorite seat at The Gritti Palace, the Hollywood hideaway of Cipriani, or the artistic soul of The Venice Venice Hotel, each of these addresses offers more than comfort. They are experiences, stages upon which your Venetian memories will unfold. Some give you island privacy, others place you in the heartbeat of St. Mark’s Square, and all promise a stay you will remember long after you’ve left the lagoon.
If you’ve read my guides on Venetian food, festivals, or itineraries, you know I believe Venice is best savored slowly. And there’s no better way to do that than waking up each morning in one of these remarkable sanctuaries, watching the city’s light shift across the water from your window.
So, the question is no longer should you go to Venice? but which of these best hotels in Venice Italy will you call home when you do?
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