Hotel L'Orologio

San Polo is one of Venice’s loveliest districts – a place where historic charm meets lively markets and artisan shops selling fresh produce and Venetian crafts. Home to the iconic Rialto Bridge (often packed with throngs of tourists) and the bustling Rialto Market, it’s a vibrant area that still retains a sense of authentic Venetian life, with narrow alleyways and hidden squares to get lost in before returning to those views of the Grand Canal. To top it all off, the district’s central location also makes it an ideal base for exploring the wider city.

The best hotels in San Polo reflect the area’s rich heritage and sophisticated style. From opulent palazzos to intimate suites, the area offers accommodations that range from the extravagantly luxurious to the charmingly boutique. We've unearthed a handful of the best, whether you're looking for a romantic escape, a stylish retreat, or a taste of Venetian elegance.

For some Italian drama

Aman Venice

  • You could say that the breathtakingly beautiful Aman Venice epitomises grandeur on the Grand Canal. Set in a 16th-century palazzo adorned with frescoes, chandeliers and original artworks, its exclusive setting features private gardens and impeccable service. Unparalleled luxury, as one expects from the Aman group.
  • Combining Art Deco elegance with a prime canal-side location, Palazzo Barbarigo serves Italian drama in spades: think dark boudoirs, velvet curtains and sumptuous beds. Perfect for romantic retreat.

For families

San Cassiano

  • Housed in a renovated 15th-century palace in Venice, Palazzo Morosini degli Spezieri features beautifully restored apartments. Each one uniquely decorated, with sleek, modern interior design alongside some period touches. A good choice for families and groups who want a bit of flexibility and independence.
  • La Villeggiatura is a charming boutique B&B offering a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere, in part thanks to its helpful and friendly owners. Located close to the Rialto, expect a cosy retreat with beautifully decorated rooms that blend traditional Venetian decor with modern touches. Families should book the Doge Junior Suite which can easily accommodate two adults and two children.
  • San Cassiano is a classic Venetian palazzo offering a taste of historic elegance. Original interiors are replete with wooden beams, oil paintings, tapestries, chandeliers and chintzy fabrics. Well-priced family rooms make it the perfect place to bring the whole brood.

For a stylish retreat

Hotel L'Orologio

  • Set along the Grand Canal, Hotel L’Orologio is a sophisticated and stylish base that merges historic architecture with modern style. The furnishings are sleek and contemporary, but the building's heritage still shines through with typically Venetian materials throughout.
  • Cosy, design-conscious boutique GKK Exclusive Private Suites is tucked away in a quiet corner of San Polo.Its handful of individually designed suites are adorned with patterned wallpaper and contemporary Italian furnishings.

Still not sure?

Best Hotels in San Polo

La Villeggiatura

Venice (San Polo)

Stylish and elegant family-friendly B&B near the Rialto. Spacious and light rooms with original features and thoughtful touches. Helpful and friendly owners will make your stay as comfortable as possible. Breakfast is served in the dining room. Charming.

  • Groups - A small guesthouse with warm hosts and homely communal spaces making it a good option as a base for a group travelling together
  • Full of character - Rooms are packed full of character with frescos on the walls, polished wood floors, exposed wood beams, and beautiful fabrics
  • City Style - Venetian style with a twist — think Persian rugs, bold fabrics, charming frescoes, pretty glass lamps and parquet floors
  • Less £ - During the mid- and low-season deals can make this a remarkably good-value option
from €222 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Palazzo Barbarigo

Venice (San Polo)

Brooding Venetian romance right on the grand canal. Subtly lit rooms and suites blend boudoir with art deco; plush velvetine chaise longues, theatrical curtains and sumptuous beds. A sultry spot perfect for a couples' escape.

  • Local exploring - Set near the Rialto bridge and overlooking the Grand Canal this is a chic central pad to explore the city on foot from
  • Romantic Break - Atmospheric rooms have a romantic air with feathered lampshades and smoky mirrors
  • City Style - A glamorous stay mixing elegant traditional design mixed with 20s art deco
  • Local markets - Sample local delicacies in the square market
from €305 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
San Cassiano

Venice (San Polo)

A beautiful canalside townhouse B&B. Elegantly Venetian with original interiors; wooden beams, oil paintings, tapestries, chandeliers and chintzy fabrics. With family rooms available and very attractive prices this is the perfect choice for a family holiday.

  • Local exploring - Offering a great location in the Sestiere of Santa Croce, facing the Canal Grande, right in front of the renowned Ca’ d’Oro
  • Families - A family-friendly atmosphere, excellent rates and family rooms make this a great choice for those travelling with children
  • Historic - A 14th century building once home to Venetian painter Giacomo Favretto
  • Sights nearby - Set just a 15 minute walk from the renowned St Mark's Square
from €208 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Hotel L'Orologio

Venice (San Polo)

Hotel L'Orologio, situated right next to the Grand Canal, is only a short walk from some of the city's most famous sights. The hotel has designer rooms decorated in typically Venetian materials and colours, and all rooms come with a private bathroom as well as a satellite TV. A chic city break.

  • Families - Extra beds and cots can be placed in the rooms while kids will feel right at home with their arrival 'welcome pack'
  • City Style - Located right next to the Grand Canal in Venice, a perfect location from which to explore the city
  • Local exploring - La Fenice, Piazza San Marco and Basilica San Marco are all located less than a mile away
  • Sights nearby - Sights such as the Santa Maria Formosa Square and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection are only a short distance away
from €203 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Palazzo Morosini degli Spezieri

Venice (San Polo)

This heritage hotel is housed in a renovated 15th-century palace in Venice. Guests can choose from nine self-catering apartments with up to three bedrooms; the accommodation has a sleek, modern interior design with some period touches. The best apartments offer beautiful canal views. A stylish stay.

  • Families - The large self-catering apartments are well-designed for parents travelling with children, offering up to 3 bedrooms
  • Romantic Break - The beautiful canal setting and the luxurious feel to the apartments make this hotel a great romantic getaway
  • Local exploring - With its fantastic central location, this hotel makes a perfect base for local exploring
  • Sights nearby - Visit the Basilica dei Frari, a Gothic-style church which houses two works by Titian, as well as his tomb
from €200 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Aman Venice

Venice (San Polo)

This plush hotel is housed in a magnificent Rococco palace on the Grand Canal. Original features abound, from 18th-century frescoes to a 16th-century Sansovino fireplace; the best suites offer spectacular views of the canal. Dine at the gourmet restaurant before heading to the spa. Luxury defined.

  • City Style - Housed in one of the eight grand palaces of Venice, you can't get more Venetian city style than this hotel
  • Romantic Break - Couples will be bowled over by the original features in the suites and the romantic setting
  • Local exploring - Sitting on the Grand Canal itself, this hotel is perfectly placed for local exploring
  • Sights nearby - Take a private visit to the Doge’s Palace, a historic colonnaded masterpiece. Book through the hotel
from €1265 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
GKK Exclusive Private Suites

Venice (San Polo)

This cosy boutique hotel sits within a heritage building overlooking the Grand Canal. Rooms are dressed in a modern Venetian style, with patterned wallpaper and contemporary Italian furnishings. The most exclusive suites have a free-standing, designer bathtub and pretty private terrace. A chic stay.

  • Hideaway - Set within a cosy interior passage and with only 6 rooms, this B&B is a great hideaway hotel option
  • City Style - With contemporary interiors inspired by Venetian style, this hotel makes a fashionable stay
  • Romantic Break - Book the Grand Canal suite for romantic views over the canal from your own private terrace
  • Sights nearby - Visit the Santo Stefano church, an expansive, Gothic, 13th-century church known for its Renaissance paintings
from €162 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia

Written by John Ovans

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