Hotels in Venice, Italy

Best places to stay in Venice

With enchanting canals and bridges, romantic gondolas, and the breathtaking Grand Canal, Venice is sure to charm you as soon as you set foot in this legendary ‘City of Water’. Each Venetian district called ‘sestiere’ has a unique appeal and character. If you are visiting for the first time, try to stay in the central areas closer to the popular tourist attractions, even if you have to spend a little more on accommodation.

San Marco

Home to the most iconic monuments such as Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square), and the Ponte dell’Accademia (Accademia bridge), the San Marco sestiere boasts a buzz and excitement that you will not find anywhere else in Venice. Stay at The Gritti Palace, A luxury Collection Hotel, Venice which is set in a 15th-century palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal, and features exquisitely designed rooms with views of the magnificent Salute church. You can also consider the Corte di Gabriela, set in a distinct 19th-century palace with chic rooms overlooking the canals, in the heart of San Marco.

Castello

The largest and mostly residential sestiere on the eastern side of the city, Castello takes centre stage every 2 years for the Venice Biennale art exhibition. The area has plenty of restaurants and cafés, and is dominated by the striking Dominican church, Santi Giovanni e Paolo. On the prestigious riva degli Schiavoni waterfront promenade, you have the Oriental-themed luxurious interiors and ornate rooms of the Metropole Hotel. A short walk from the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Basilica, you can stay at the Residenza de l’Osmarin, set in an elegant Venetian period building featuring bright, individually-styled rooms.

Cannaregio

This sestiere in the northern part of the city is relatively quiet in the day but by evening, the canals here transform into a lively hub for nightlife, and you will see large crowds spilling out of hip clubs and bars. Check out the Al Ponte Antico hotel, set in a marvellous 16th-century home with ornately decorated rooms offering uninterrupted views of the Rialto Bridge. Consider elegant rooms with glass-mosaic-tiled-walls and artworks at the Domus Orsoni bed and breakfast, set in a delightful palazzo just steps away from the Jewish Ghetto in the Cannaregio sestiere.

Santa Croce and San Polo

The vibrant San Polo sestiere with its abundant produce and fish markets, and a host of restaurants and bars, stands in contrast to the peace and quiet of the Santa Croce sestiere. These areas are slightly away from the popular tourist attractions. Stay here if you wish to immerse yourself in the true Venetian lifestyle. In Santa Croce, you have the Cima Rosa Boutique B&B which offers elegant rooms equipped with a mix of contemporary and antique furnishings. It is located on the Grand Canal. Or enjoy a stay at the posh Aman Venice Hotel which attracts celebrity clients due to its setting in a historic palace with ornate interiors and ultra-luxurious rooms.

Dorsoduro

A sophisticated area with plenty of art galleries and museums, the Dorsoduro sestiere attracts all kinds of art lovers, and features plenty of cool cafés, eateries and pubs. It is also home to the Jewish Ghetto. Enjoy the exclusive locale, eclectic décor, and romantic ambience of the Ca Maria Adele, a boutique hotel in the heart of Dorsoduro. Or stay at the stylish and contemporary Sina Centurion Palace hotel which gives you direct access to the Grand Canal, and offers posh rooms with incredible canal views.

Giudecca and Lagoon islands

The hip and trendy Giudecca island  caters to a large student population with some earthy cafés and cheap eateries, while Lagoon Island offers peace, tranquility and exclusivity to the visitors who prefer to experience hustle and bustle only when they go across to mainland Venice. Experience ultimate Venetian luxury at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani, which is a world unto itself. It is a 5-minute ride by a private launch from St. Mark’s Square. You also have several other ultra-luxurious properties such as JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, and Palladio Hotel and Spa, set on private islands in the Venetian Lagoon.

Cheap hotels in Venice

An 8-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square, you have the B&B S. Marco which features simple, understated rooms and friendly owners who enthral their guests with stories about Venice. You can also look at the charming, family-run, Novecento Boutique Hotel, set in a quaint narrow street, just steps away from the busy Accademia Bridge. In Cannaregio, you have the Hotel Palazzo Abadessa which is set in a historic palace, and features rooms with elegant period furniture. In Dorsoduro, you can look at the Art-Deco styled Ca’Pisani hotel set in a 14th-century building with original architecture and period furnishings. On the Giudecca island, stay at the canal-fronted Giudecca hotel, a charming place with modern amenities. On the Venice Lido, you can look at Hotel Rigel with rooms designed in fascinating period themes, and equipped with modern amenities.