Top 10 best luxury hotels in Venice

Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.

Today (December 7, 2020): Top 10 best luxury hotels in Venice. 

Built atop 118 small islands separated by winding canals and linked by arching bridges, Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site suffused with beauty. Art, architecture and artisanal crafts are in full bloom across the city, evident while wandering the streets and canals, in visiting the churches and museums and during the events that mark the city’s calendar, from the art biennales to Carnivale. Here’s my selection of Venice’s top 10 most luxurious and iconic hotels, so you know where to stay on your next visit this ultra-romantic city.

There is more information (with reviews and Youtube clips) below the slide show. Think I missed one? Leava a comment or take my poll below!

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10. HILTON MOLINO STUCKY

Going down the canals on a gondola is not the only aquatic pleasure you can have in Venice. You can also swim above the city at the stunning rooftop pool of Venice’s largest hotel, Hilton Molino Stucky. Located on an island off the coast of Venice, the property offers breathtaking panoramic city views – described as “the best views in Venice, bar none” by Lonely Planet. The hotel, once a flourishing flourmill, is now internationally recognized as one of Italy’s iconic pieces of industrial architecture. Beautifully restored and minutes from Venice’s main attractions via shuttle boat, Hilton Molino Stucky houses 379 charming and comfortable guest rooms, offering a different view of Venice. Attractions like St Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge, and Doge’s palace can be reached in around 20 minutes by shuttle boat.

• Hotel website: Hilton Molino Stucky
• Other accolades: Hilton Molino Stucky also features in my top 10 list of the world’s most spectacular rooftop pools.

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9. BAUER PALAZZO

Bauer Palazzo, the famed hotel just steps from Saint Mark’s Square, is beloved for its carved stucco ceilings, gilt-framed mirrors, and Murano glass chandeliers – and for the openness of its redesigned rooms and suites. Some have traditional Venetian furnishings, and others have more contemporary decor; suites on the top floor have a charming Italian design. The views are grand from the hotel’s three terraces. Guests can sample tasty and delightful international and Mediterranean dishes, prepared by Chef Hiraki Masakazu at the hotel’s restaurant, De Pisis. The restaurant offers the magnificent experience of a view on the Grand Canal from its elegant terrace. The hotel’s “Seventh Heaven” terrace lounge offers an amazing view of the city, from the Grand Canal to the Alps.

• Hotel website: Bauer Palazzo
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).

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8. CA’ SAGREDO HOTEL

This 15th century Palace has been declared a National Monument and still preserves the untouched beauty of an ancient noble residence. It oozes romance while the opulently frescoed ballroom and lounge echoes with epic events of the past. Just gliding up the imposing marble staircase; whilst resisting a tap on a cherub’s peachy cheek, feels positively regal. Ca’ Sagredo’s views of the canal life and the historical Rialto Market opposite are storybook scenes of old. The property offers 42 luxurious rooms and suites, most with Grand Canal view or overlooking the city roofs and “campi”. Each room is unique and individually decorated in an understated and classical style. With its splendid panoramic terrace on the Grand Canal, the hotel’s restaurant is open all year, allowing you to indulge both your passion for Venice and your love for food and wine.

• Hotel website: Ca’ Sagredo Hotel
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and a three course lunch for two).

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7. HOTEL DANIELI, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL

A 14th century gem of Venetian Gothic architecture, Hotel Danieli is the flagship of Venetian hospitality and glamorous salon for the sophisticated elite since 1822. From its imposing heritage setting on Riva degli Schiavoni, the hotel dominates the lagoon, placing visitors in front of mesmerizing views and just steps from a treasure trove of monuments and attractions. The Danieli has 210 rooms and suites, welcoming guests across the hotel’s three palaces to sumptuous, elegant surroundings reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Venice. French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon has masterfully detailed three unique Signature Suites inspired by glamorous female celebrities of cinema, opera and fashion, who selected Hotel Danieli to celebrate important milestones in their lifetime.

• Hotel website: Hotel Danieli
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).

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6. SAN CLEMENTE PALACE KEMPINSKI

San Clemente Palace Kempinski is located on the private island of San Clemente, only minutes away from Piazza San Marco by complimentary boat. A proud member of the Leading Hotels of the World, this exclusive retreat guarantees peace, tranquillity and privacy. The hotel’s 196 rooms and suites overlook the lagoon or the centuries-old park. Guests can indulge in the restaurants Acquerello and Insieme, which both offer exceptional interpretations of iconic Italian and Venetian specialities, whereas the Buddha-Bar Beach Restaurant features a unique culinary experience that combines the signature dishes of the famous neo-Asian Buddha-Bar with unique local Italian and Mediterranean dishes and flavors. The resort also offers an outdoor pool, tennis court and state-of-the-art fitness room.

• Hotel website: San Clemente Palace Kempinski
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read here my review of San Clemente Palace here.

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5. JW MARRIOTT VENICE RESORT & SPA

The JW Marriott brand’s first hotel in Italy is a world-class addition to its global portfolio of dozens of luxury properties. Beautifully situated on the private island of Isola delle Rose, the five-star hotel offers a lush retreat, the perfect respite from the excitement of the city. The pampering begins as guests are transported from St. Mark’s Square by private water shuttle to the 40-acre resort filled with gardens, olive groves and exceptional amenities. The resort features 266 contemporary-styled rooms and suites designed by the architect Matteo Thun, in addition to 4 restaurants, the largest spa in Venice, a romantic church for events and private ceremonies, a rooftop lounge area with pool offering a dramatic 360° view over Venice, and lush green areas with a mix of tropical and Mediterranean plants.

• Hotel website: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
• Other accolades: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa features in my top 10 list of Europe’s 10 best hotel rooftops.
• Review: read my review of the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa here.

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4. THE ST REGIS VENICE

Avant-garde in outlook and design, The St. Regis Venice merges striking, modern interiors with its historic provenance as one of the best addresses in the city. Flanked by the Grand Canal with views across iconic landmarks, the hotel has stood in this privileged position for over a century and a half. Stylish design, intelligent technology and St. Regis Butlers cultivate an environment of impeccable comfort in 130 guestrooms and 39 suites, a selection of which graced with private terrace. The preserve for relaxation and socializing, the hotel’s Italianate garden presents access to a range of dining and beverage options, while the Spa Suites and an exercise room provide avenues for unwinding. Behind the hotel, luxury boutiques and contemporary art galleries lead the visitor to Teatro La Fenice and the treasures of Piazza San Marco, just a five minute walk away.

• Hotel website: The St Regis Venice
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of The St Regis Venice here.

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3. BELMOND HOTEL CIPRIANI

Venice is a glorious, theatrical experience that touches all the senses. And if Venice is a theatre, the Belmond Hotel Cipriani must be one of its Royal Boxes. Five minutes by private launch from Piazza San Marco, on the tip of Giudecca Island, this luxury hotel commands unrivaled views of the lagoon and Doge’s Palace. Steeped in Venetian style, it is known for interiors decorated in exquisite local artifacts, classic cuisine with an innovative twist and the most fabulous, Olympic-sized swimming pool in the city. Lovestruck vacationers may never want to leave the comfort of Belmond Hotel Cipriani’s 95 rooms and suites, but the sweeping views of vineyards and a lagoon are sure to tempt even the most smitten into the gorgeous streets of Venice.

• Hotel website: Belmond Hotel Cipriani
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of the Belmond Hotel Cipriani here.

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2. THE GRITTI PALACE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL

The Gritti Palace, managed by Marriott’s The Luxury Collection, is one of Venice’s most celebrated luxury hotels. It is a place where Italian history and culture meet with renewed Venetian style, a place of exceptional art and elegance, reassuringly intimate with a homely feel. With a floating terrace on the best spot along Venice’s Grand Canak, the Gritti Palace has always attracted global influencers, celebrities and the world’s elite to socialize, draw inspiration, and celebrate during international city events such as the Biennale of Contemporary Art and the Venice Film Festival. The hotel reopened in 2013 after a $50 million USD refurbishment, and is stuffed with original wooden ceilings, dressing-table mirrors and 18th century wall lamps, hand-made in Murano.

• Hotel website: The Gritti Palace
• Other accolades: The Gritti Palace also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most spectacular hotel rooftops, the best hotel rooftops in Europe, and luxury hotels made famous by Hollywood movies.
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of the Gritti Palace here.

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1. AMAN VENICE

As sumptuous and romantic as the city itself, Aman Venice is currently the most (ultra)luxurious property in the city and home to museum-quality treasures which include Tiepolo frescoes, gilded ceilings and centuries-old leather wall coverings. More home than hotel, Aman Venice is located within a phenomenal 16th-century Palazzo Papadopolion on the Grand Canal and offers the rare privilege of space in the center of the Floating City. High ceilings and spacious light-filled salons are joined by two mature outdoor private gardens and a small rooftop rarely seen in the city. With views to the hotel’s private garden or the Grand Canal, many of the 24 rooms and suites feature protected frescos and reliefs. The hotel belongs to the portfofio of Aman, one of the world’s most exclusive hotel brands.

• Hotel website: Aman Venice
• Other accolades: Aman Venice also features in my top 10 lists of the best Aman hotels in the world, the most amazing city hotels in Europe, and the best luxury hotels in Italy.
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).
• Review: read my review of Aman Venice here.

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