The best hotels in Venice

CARLTON ON THE GRAND CANAL

Venetian elegance overlooking the Grand Canal

Best for… old-fashioned glamour

Imagine stepping off the train, onto a gondola and floating straight to your hotel. This prestigious hotel sits in one of the most envied blocks of real estate in the world: overlooking the Grand Canal. With its rich pastels, antique furniture, Venetian plasterwork and Murano glass, it’s inspired by the splendour of 18th-century Italy. But as you’d expect from a luxury hotel, it has plenty of subtle, modern touches: including a panoramic sky terrace with some of the best views in Venice, and a destination restaurant and cafe.

Santa Croce

San Cassiano Residenzia D'Epoca

Catch a glimpse of historic Venice at this waterside hotel

Best for… sightseeing

Checking into this quintessentially Venetian townhouse feels like stepping back in time. A local landmark just moments along the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge, and once home to the famous painter Giacomo Favretto, its rooms have been lovingly restored to their 15th-century glory, with some boasting the kind of jaw-dropping view onto the Canal you see in brochures. Except it’s all yours: and what could be better than waking up to the sound of water lapping at the gondola docks, then planning a day’s sightseeing over breakfast in the picturesque inner courtyard.

Calle Larga Rosa

Grand Hotel Dei Dogi

Gorgeous gardens and a view over the lagoon

Best for… making history

A proper bucket-list hotel. This gorgeous palazzo, which overlooks the lagoon, has an illustrious history: it was home to the Embassy of France, the Savoy and a monastery. The hotel itself is splendid: its refurbished rooms are tastefully luxurious, its 18th-century botanical gardens a destination in themselves, and its spa a hidden gem. It also enjoys an unparalleled location, within walking distance of the major sights in a boutiquey enclave of artisanal shops and lovely restaurants – of which its own in-house à la carte is among the best. 

Fondamenta Madonna dell’Orto

Rialto

One of the most celebrated views in the world

Best for… making memories

One of the best addresses in the world, this gorgeous hotel built within a traditional Venetian townhouse offers some of the best people-watching you can imagine, thanks to its views onto the Rialto Bridge. The perfect Venetian experience continues past the lustrous reception: rooms are a beautiful blend of modern and antique, and the panoramic terrace is a majestic place to watch sunset over the Grand Canal. A night in one of its suites, with a view out onto the bridge, is surely the experience of a lifetime.

Riva del Ferro

Canal Grande

An opulent hotel in an ideal location

Best for… a stay in the heart of Venice

Sumptuous tapestries, Murano glass and its own gondola platform: the glory of this 18th-century villa hasn’t diminished one bit since it was the playground of royalty and Romance poets. Its lovely rooms, all uniquely and sympathetically restored, many with views out over the canal or the quiet piazza next door, are the perfect place to retreat from central Venice, and the splendour of St Mark’s Square and the Piazzale Roma. Which, conveniently, is just a stroll away.

Campiello San Simeone Grande

Palazzo Barbarigo

The best for… breakfast with a view

This family-run boutique hotel is influencer heaven. Opulent rooms look over the Grand Canal and for the perfect shot to set your ‘gram ablaze, be sure to reserve the balcony spot for breakfast.

Giorgione Hotel

The perfect place to enjoy an Aperol Spritz

Best for… a boutique break

One of the best-kept secrets in Venice, this four-star hotel is a favourite of everyone from travel writers to tourists. A home away from home (if your home was a Venetian palace) it perfectly preserves the atmosphere of its 15th-century surroundings, with sumptuous lounges, jewel-coloured rooms and a dazzling display of Murano glass chandeliers. Its peaceful inner courtyard bar, with a jacuzzi, is a real treat. But it’s the friendly staff and hospitality that allures its crowd of regulars – that, and the fact that some of Venice’s best restaurants are tucked away on the surrounding streets.

Calle Larga dei Proverbi

Sina Centurion Palace

Your very own Venetian palace

Best for… a royal stay

An award-winning hotel, the former Palazzo Genovese is still one of the most majestic buildings on the Grand Canal. The hotel itself is magnificent – think James Bond set – but it’s hard not to get distracted by the location. Dorsoduro is one of the most prestigious parts of Venice, and the nearby Guggenheim Museum of modern art one of the very best. The Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute is literally next door. If you can bring yourself to stay indoors, the restaurant and bar are destinations in themselves, and the spa is excellent. One of the world’s great hotels.

Dorsoduro