Venice

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About Venice

It’s commonly said that the secret to a successful interlude in Venice is to get lost. Stray from the grandeur of the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto, and wander quiet canals, pausing from time to time in churches, or in neighbourhood osterie and bacari for a Bellini here and a Vivarini there, and you’ll start to feel the real atmosphere of this magical city. An atmosphere that our recommendations for the best places to stay in Venice is built around. We’ve sought out hotels with charm and history, as well as comfort and location, to recommend. If you're not sure where you want to be based, check out neighbourhood guide to point you in the right direction.

Some of our Venice Collections:

One of the limiting factors about Venice is space, and that’s a huge part of the charm and challenge of this city. Both for the founders, who basically built an elegant marble city on a tiny, low-lying island in a lagoon, and for visitors looking for somewhere to stay, because there just aren’t that many options. Even allowing for the fact that so many of Venice’s gorgeous palazzos have been converted into hotels and guesthouses there’s still a limit.

But if you come for the day you’ll really be missing out, because, despite its limitations, it’s really worth staying in Venice proper to hear the wake up call of the gondoliers, watch the sun set over the lagoon, and experience the real uniqueness of this place.

The other limiting factor about Venice is the cost, and it’s common for people to make the mistake of choosing a hotel that’s inconvenient or expensive to get to. We’ve tried to limit the number of hard-to-reach hotels on our list of recommendations, but it does come down to how long you have to spend here to really calculate what’s going to be inconvenient or expensive for you. So even once you’ve picked out your favourite from our list of the best hotels in Venice, it’s still worth checking how you’re going to travel to and from the hotel during your stay. And don’t underestimate the number of visitors there might be. For the same reason, this is one of the destinations that we really want to stress is worth booking well in advance. This will also give you the best chance of booking a room with a view.

Our pick of the best places to stay in Venice is a wide ranging mix with plenty to suit all tastes and budgets, just don't forget get organised and book well ahead.

The best places to stay in Venice

For a Palazzo

Overlooking the Basilica de Santa Maria della Salute in Dorsoduro, the Ca Maria Adele is an elegant 16th century palazzo, with richly decorated interiors harking back to an era of Venetian decadence. This is the sort of hotel with its own canal entrance. The more richly decorated rooms are the five themed suites, where the antiques and fabrics are definitely opulent, while the other seven rooms are simpler, but still beautiful. Breakfast is as luxurious as the decor.
At the opposite end of the design scale is the Ca' Pisani, a muted pink, 16th century palazzo which was converted into Venice’s first design hotel, bucking the interiors trend of excess. Its 29 rooms and suites have an Art Deco flavour, and there’s a basement restaurant where breakfast and light meals are served.

Our Pick of Venice’s Grand Hotels

The Gritti Palace really has to be at the top of this list, as the 15th century Doge’s Palace. The location is impeccable and with an ornately hand painted grand piano, intricately woven rugs, marble tiles, and finely painted gold-trimmed ceilings, the decor is too. But the Gritti Palace also preserves within its walls stories of illustrious visitors and royal families, and that’s what makes it so special. It has 82 rooms and suites, but if you’re looking for the very best hotel room in Venice it’s hard not to seriously consider the Hemingway Suite, in restful shades of pale green, with enviable canal and basilica views.
Standing magnificently on the Grand Canal, its peach exterior almost glowing, the Ca' Sagredo Hotel is another beautifully converted palazzo with some really special original 14th century features: mosaics, murals, statuary and an incredible marble staircase, for example. There’s even a secret doorway in the ballroom used for late-night trysts by the 18th century Count Sagredo. Many of the 42 rooms and suites have canal views, and while they’re not quite as opulent as the decor in the public spaces, they represent a lavish modern hotel experience.

Some of the Best Waterfront Hotels

The Hotel Londra Palace is an elegant, luxurious hotel within a short walk of San Marco, and right on the water overlooking the basin and lagoon. Here the 53 rooms and suites are decorated with classical luxury, which is a step towards simplicity on many a Venetian hotel room, but they’re very beautiful for it; the best have beautiful views too. In the morning heavy shutters keep them deliciously dark and quiet. And the restaurant is excellent!
Al Ponte Antico has a Venice view that’s difficult to top: the Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal, seen from the small terrace of a 16th century palazzo. Expect gold brocade, tapestries, fabric-covered walls and chandeliers in the seven rooms and public spaces. There’s no restaurant, but the bar and breakfast terrace are charming.
The Palazzetto Pisani offers many of the best features of a Venetian hotel, but with a lower price tag than many hotels: it's a converted 16th century palazzo in a Grand Canal position, overlooking Santa Maria della Salute, with some seriously ornate furnishings and a very stylish bar and restaurant. Until ten years ago this was a private dwelling, and the large and lofty second floor public rooms, which are now a restaurant, are fairly unchanged. The best room of the 26 is the Pisani Suite, which is so close to the water that it sometimes floods of a high tide.
Also at the more affordable end of the scale is the Pensione La Calcina, a popular 27 room pension in a wonderful spot on the Giudecca canal. Complete with the balcony restaurant spilling onto the water, and the pale peach colour that looks so beautiful in the light here, this is a classic Venetian hotel. The rooms are classic hotel room style, with the best having fantastic water views.

For romance

At the Hotel Guru we do love a private hotel, and we have an especially soft spot for those filled with the collections of their owners. And the Metropole is a really charming example, with 67 rooms dotted with cherished corkscrews, crucifixes, porcelain teapots, fans, and all sorts of interesting curios. It’s on the Riva, overlooking the lagoon, has a Michelin starred restaurant, a velvet-hung salone, where they cover the tables in cakes at teatime, and a shady garden. The rooms come in a range of styles, so there’s bound to be something memorable to suit you.

For a City Break

Venice is a city break destination, but many of its hotels are gorgeous, but lack useful facilities. If you’re looking for form and function the 43 room Hotel L'Orologio is an excellent choice. It’s still got plenty of style, with all the rooms individually decorated with simple colour palettes and designer furnishings that make the most of the original features, but it’s not fussy, and it’s in an excellent, practical location within walking distance of most of the main sights. They’re also good on the mod. cons. like satellite TV and air conditioning.

For Families

Don’t think that because Venice is so dripping with romance that it isn’t for families! And if you’re bringing your kids there are a number of places we can recommend, a favourite being the Quattro Fontane, which is on the Lido, which offers more space and views of the water and Venice proper. This is a charming, old hotel, with 58 well sized rooms and suites and lots of choices for families. The decor is traditional, and there’s a beautiful leafy terrace, and lovely gardens. They can also arrange a babysitter if you need one.
We also like La Villeggiatura, a six room B&B in a third floor apartment near the Rialto. This is a wonderful home from home, with light, spacious rooms with a really Venetian flavour, and plenty of original features and personal touches. There’s also lots of shared space to relax in, with breakfast served in the large, light dining room. There’s a bit of a steep climb to get here, but it’s worth it for the personalised welcome from the owners who clearly love this job.
The Palazzo Morosini degli Spezieri is a 15th century palazzo in San Polo, turned collection of nine, self-catering apartments. Each apartment has between one and three bedrooms, so this is an excellent pick for families - with wonderful canal views, and within an easy walk from the main attractions of Venice, it’s also comfortably, and beautifully decorated in neural, unfussy colours. The shared terrace is the perfect place to indulge in an apertivo after sightseeing, and the staff will make a huge difference in planning your activities.

For Foodies

The Locanda Cipriani is a wonderfully warm and homely restaurant with rooms on Torcello, one of the smallest and most magical island on Venice’s lagoon. Staying here, in this magical old villa, with its glorious gardens, and rustic details, feels as if you’re travelling back to old Venice, after the day visitors have all left. And the cuisine is totally unforgettable. A very special place to stay.

Venice's Best Guesthouses

The Pensione Accademia is a family-run hotel right on the canal with its own dock for water taxis, with 27 typically Venetian rooms, set behind a pretty courtyard. Warm and charming, with lovely public rooms, this is an elegant building, which interestingly served as the Russian embassy between the wars. And you’re only 15 minutes from San Marco.
Close to the Ponte dell’Accademia on the Grand Canal, Novecento is a chic, nine room B&B with an intimate appeal. The rooms are bijou, and individually decorated with dark wood furnishings in different styles. Breakfast is served in the leafy courtyard and you’re just a short stroll from the main sights.

For Great Value

Venissa is an excellent value option — if you’re willing to travel a bit to get into central Venice. It’s a beautiful journey, though, a half an hour on a boat from this chic restaurant with rooms located on two acres of its own vineyards on Isola di Mazzorobo — consult a map now! There are just six elegant rooms, with simple, rustic decor, lots of natural light and high, beamed ceilings. The restaurant is a destination in its own right too.
The Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo is just like all those really grand hotels at the top of this list, but scaled down perfectly and made more affordable. There’s the same opulent colours, 18th century antiques and gilt decorations, but in ‘normal’ sized rooms. There’s also a pretty courtyard. And while the courtyard doesn’t have a canal view, the hotel is right next to the boat stop.

Prefer an Apartment or villa?

If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

Venice’s Marco Polo Airport is the closest to central Venice, location on the mainland about 20minutes away by road, and about an hour and a quarter by boat. Depending on your starting point, Treviso Airport might be more convenient, but from there it’s about 70minutes on the bus. Alternatively you can arrive by train, into Venezia Santa Lucia, which is right on the Grand Canal. There’s a ferry and cruise terminal too, at the Stazione Marittima, which is close to the road terminus where buses to Venice central leave from, and where there’s a big car park.
If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
Despite being hugely popular in the warmer months Venice is really a year round destination. If you don’t have to travel in the warmer months it’s really worth considering a winter visit, the skies are often blue, the crowds dispersed, prices are low, and that perfect room with a view is far more likely to be yours.

Still not sure which to book?

You could refine your search to our recommendations for 9 of the Best Hotels near Venice's San Marco, 7 of the Best Hotels in Dorsoduro or 6 of the Best Hotels in Cannaregio.
Or refine by style and see only the 8 of Venice's Most Luxurious Hotels or just Venice's 7 Best Guesthouses.
Or expand your search to include all the best places to stay in the Veneto region.
Alternatively you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

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The best hotels in Venice

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Londra Palace Venezia

Venice (Castello)

With 100 windows overlooking the lagoon and the magical location, in the heart of Venice, you don't leave the city when you step inside:you enter a cultured, stylish, welcoming Venetian home.

City Style - A short stroll from San Marco, the elegant salon and private retreat, stylish pied à terre and gateway to the authentic Venice.
Writing a novel - Countless artists and authors have drawn inspiration from the hotel, including Tchaikovsky, who wrote his Fourth Symphony here.
Romantic Break - Sumptuous suites, spectacular views, chic dining and beds that are almost impossible to pull yourself out of
Sights nearby - 5 minutes walk to Piazza San Marco, as is the Doge’s Palace. 10 minutes walk from Rialto bridge and the main local attractions.

from AU$995 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees