Best hotels in Venice

Venice's Dorsoduro district is the city's arty, quieter side that the Venetians prefer to keep for themselves. And right at its southern tip, where the Grand Canal opens into St Mark's Basin, sits this top-tier palazzo with one of the most enviable waterfront positions in the city. Built in 1892 for the Genovese family on the site of a medieval monastery, its Gothic facade now conceals boldly contemporary and fabulous interiors. With the Peggy Guggenheim Collection next door and the Basilica della Salute as a neighbour, the location alone is worth the visit... But the food and the staff seal the deal.

Of the hundreds of palazzi lining Venice's canals, only eight earn the title palazzi monumentali — and Aman occupies one of them. Set on the Grand Canal in the quieter San Polo sestiere, the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli has belonged to the same noble family, the Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, for over a century. And the count and countess still live above those beautiful Tiepolo ceilings! This was Aman's first Italian outpost (opened in 2013), and the interiors are pure Jean-Michel Gathy: pared-back, considered, and completely in harmony with all the Baroque excess. Completely the entirely luxurious picture are 24 exquisite suites, two private gardens, and a team who learn your coffee order overnight.

Most Venice hotels are planted deep in the maze of canals... But the Belmond Hotel Cipriani does the exact opposite. Located on the eastern tip of Giudecca Island, the hotel looks back across the lagoon at St Mark's Square, with three acres of fragrant gardens, a working vineyard and the only Olympic-sized swimming pool in central Venice. Opened in 1958 by Giuseppe Cipriani (the man behind Harry's Bar and the Bellini cocktail), it has been a favourite Venetian bolthole of Hollywood, royalty and the Biennale crowd ever since. Many of the staff have been there for decades and it really does show.

Ca Maria Adele is without a doubt one of the world's most romantic boutique hotels. Set in a 16th-century palazzo at the tip of Dorsoduro, just beside the Salute basilica, the hotel was opened in 2004 by brothers Alessio and Nicola Campa. Heirs to a Murano glass-making dynasty (their grandfather built the largest chandelier in the world), they named the hotel after their grandmothers and designed every inch themselves. The 12 rooms are draped in Venetian velvet and gold leaf, with plenty of Moorish carvings and Asian antiques in a nod to the city's old trading routes. It's adults-only, deeply intimate and fabulously, outrageously theatrical.

Pull up alongside that storied waterway and prepare to be transported to a world where cherubs perch on marble staircases and centuries-old frescoes tell tales of nobility past. This 15th-century masterpiece has earned its status as a National Monument, and rightfully so. Each morning, throw open your windows to watch the theatre of daily life unfold at the historical market opposite, as vendors arrange their wares just as they have done for hundreds of years.

Occupying a corner position on the Grand Canal, this extraordinary Gothic edifice has witnessed more than five centuries of Venetian history flow past its windows. Once the private residence of Doge Andrea Gritti, it has hosted an impressive roster of literary luminaries and global elite. The meticulously restored interiors exude an intimate grandeur with low ceilings and a series of reception rooms that lead to charming hideaways, creating the distinct feeling of being welcomed into a sophisticated private home rather than a busy hotel. Step onto the terrace to witness one of the most enthralling vistas in the floating city - from San Giorgio Maggiore past the Santa Maria della Salute Basilica to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection - all while gondolas glide silently below.

Step through the doors of this grand dame and you'll be instantly transported to a time when Venetian nobility ruled the waves. Made up of three palaces – a 14th-century marvel, a 17th-century addition, and a 1930s newcomer – this architectural treasure chest sits just a whisper away from St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. The moment you sweep into the lobby, with its soaring ceilings and Byzantine elegance, you'll understand why generations of discerning travellers have chosen to rest their heads here. Plush furnishings and ornate details bring the glamour of La Serenissima to life, while the rooftop terrace offers views so spectacular, you'll need to pinch yourself to believe they're real. When the bustle of the canals becomes too much, retreat to your palatial chamber and revel in the sheer decadence of it all.

Perched on the bustling Riva degli Schiavoni promenade, this elegant time capsule has been welcoming the curious and discerning since 1853, with a guest book that includes one Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (who composed bits of his Symphony No. 4 within these very walls). Step through the historic façade and discover a world where Venice doesn't end at the threshold – it seeps in with the ever-changing light that plays across the lagoon, filtering through windows to illuminate interiors that are at once cultured salon and private retreat. Just a gondolier's call from San Marco, yet a world away from the tourist throngs, this is the insider's gateway to the authentic floating city that casual visitors rarely glimpse.

Nestled right on the watery thoroughfare with the Rialto Bridge mere footsteps away, this little horological gem offers a delightfully quirky take on Venetian hospitality. While most places in this ancient city lean heavily on baroque splendour and gothic grandeur, this boutique bolthole has dared to be different, with a contemporary approach inspired by the fascinating world of collectable watches. Red leather sofas lounge beneath wooden-beamed ceilings, modern artwork adorns the walls, and custom-made furnishings speak to the designer's meticulous eye.

Nestled along the rippling waters of the Grand Canal, this 16th-century noble residence holds secrets within its walls that would make even the most seasoned traveller's jaw drop. Once home to a future Doge, playground to Mozart, and temporary abode to the King of Denmark, the palazzo's illustrious past lives on in its meticulously restored frescoes and period details. After a loving restoration supervised by the city's Fine Arts authorities, the building reopened its doors in 2010 as a boutique hideaway where those seeking romance and tranquility can find their perfect Venetian moment. The warmth of the welcome here rivals the splendor of the architecture – with staff who genuinely want you to feel at home while being utterly pampered.

The moment you set foot on the platform, the anticipation begins to bubble. A gleaming procession of historic carriages awaits, with uniformed stewards standing at attention, ready to usher you into another era entirely. This legendary train has been lovingly restored to its Art Deco grandeur – think polished wood panelling that catches the light just so, plush upholstery in rich jewel tones, and brass fixtures that have been buffed to perfection. As you settle into your cabin and the countryside begins to unfurl beyond your window, you'll understand why this isn't merely transport – it's theatre on wheels, a moveable feast for the senses, and quite possibly the most romantic way to traverse the continent.

One of the most iconic 5-star hotels in Venice, a magical and secret place in the heart of the Santa Croce district, which tells a centuries-long story, beginning when—under the name Palazzo Bacchini delle Palme—it was a former private residence.

The soul of the palace lies in its very name, a portmanteau of the words "Venice" and "Art," and it encapsulates the charm and essence of the history of this city, an emblem of world art since the Renaissance.

A jewel overlooking the lagoon: Ca' di Dio is a five-star hotel in the heart of Venice, where elegance, history, and design blend in perfect harmony. Built in 1272, today it is an exclusive residence, rediscovered thanks to Patricia Urquiola's project.

From the canal-view rooms to the internal gardens, every detail reflects the authentic soul of the Serenissima. Here you can explore the city, be inspired by the contemporary art of the Arsenale, or simply enjoy the timeless magic of Venice.