Venice
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The secret of a successful interlude in Venice is to get lost. Leave behind the crowds around San Marco and the Rialto and wander away, along quiet canals and through dusty squares, pausing from time to time in churches to find a Bellini here, a Vivarini there, and in neighbourhood osterie and bacari for something to eat and drink. Then back to your hotel or guesthouse, where, if the spell is not to be broken, atmosphere counts for everything.
Many of the best places to stay in Venice have views of the water and you whould always at least try for a room with a view: you need to book well in advance for high season, and be prepared to pay extra for the privilege. Or consider a winter visit: the skies are often blue, the crowds dispersed, prices are low, and that perfect room with a view is far more likely to be yours.
Best places to stay in Venice - Grand Hotels
- The Bauer Il Palazzo on the grand canal is a sumptuous five star spot ideal for honeymooners and hopeless romantics. Glorious restaurant and roof terrace breakfasts.
- Also on the grand canal is the wildly oppulent Ca' Sagredo Hotel which has stucco, chandeliers and gilding everywhere you look. Excellent service in a truly remarkable building in a world renowned location.
- The Gritti Palace is a classic grand hotel and our ultimate favourite of many favourite places to stay in Venice. The former Doge's Palace is traditional with heart-stopping views. Re-opening after a refurbishment which we trust will only have burnished its loveliness.
Best places to stay in Venice with gardens
- The homely yet sophisticated Locanda Cipriani has a lovely garden in which to eat dinner in peaceful seclusion.
- Another quiet hideaway from the bustle of Venice in summer is the country style Oltre il Giardino. Former home of Mahler's widow it sits in one of the city's hidden gardens and is decorated in tranquil colours with a mixture of modern and antique furniture.
- If an outside space is a priority, the Palazzo Abadessa has a lovely walled garden. Owned and run by its former occupant this palazzo in atmospheric Cannaregio gives guests the impression of being at a constant house party.
- The Metropole on the Riva overlooking the lagoon has traditionally oppulent bedrooms and antique curios dotted about but is also home to Venice's only Michelin-starred restaurant
- You possibly wouldn't want to be in a hotel next to a bus stop but being next to the boat stop as guests at the Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo are is a different matter. Traditional and intimate, it has a pretty courtyard where breakfast is served in summer.
Best places to stay in Venice for families
- For famillies or anyone looking for places to stay which are a little less high-octane the Quattro Fontane is a very good choice not too far from the action. It is a peaceful family run former family house close to the lido but delightfully peaceful.
- The simple friendly Pensione La Calcina is a good choice for families and has a floating terrace restaurant in front of the hotel.
Best places to stay in restored palazzos
- The Ca Maria Adele is a 16th century palazzo richly decorated with damask fabrics. The five themed rooms are the ones to choose if you can and the best of these is the sala noir with its sophisticated black chandlier.
- The well-restored Palazzo dal Carlo has glass and marble bathrooms in every room which you can't say for many B & Bs. Run with great charm and style by Roberta dal Carlo, the breakfasts at the big communal table are one of many highlights.
- Housed in a muted pink palazzo, the Ca' Pisani was the first designer hotel in Venice and is an antidote, for anyone who wants one, to the baroque excess of many of the city's hotels.
Best places to stay in Venice - Waterfront
- Overlooking the lagoon is the Hotel Londra. Original paintings and a huge lovely view of the lagoon will vie for your eye. Shutters keep the bedrooms dark and quiet.
- There are cheaper places to stay on the grand canal if you know where to look - and we do! The Locanda ai Santa Apostoli is a third floor apartment guesthouse accessed via discreet but handsome dark green doors to this converted Palazzo.
- A half hour boat trip from downtown Venice is the Venissa, a hotel and restaurant in an idyllic island setting, promisingly named after the local wine.
- Another good off-the-beaten-track option is the Locanda del Ghetto, situated in what was the world's first Jewish ghetto. Surrounded by water but in easy reach of the Rialto it is simply decorated and understated.
Best places to stay in Venice - Guesthouses
- A sexily chic B & B with oriental decoration in a great location for shoppers is the Novecento which is owned and run by the son of the owner of the popular but more traditional Flora.
- There is a steep climb up to La Villeggiatura but it is an ideal spacious guest house for families who have perhaps not travelled with any grandparents. Like the Palazzo dal Carlo, breakfast is served at a big communal table.
Browse through our list of the best places to stay in Venice and start to plan your stay. Please feel free to call or email a friendly guru for advice. Contact
The best hotels in Venice
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Ca Maria Adele
Venice
16th-century palazzo, decorated with rich fabrics. Choose one of the themed rooms for the best experience, and fine lagoon views.
12 rooms from $472Exclusive offer - City breakRomantic - Good for couples.Restrictions on children - Over 16s only.Views - Great views from hotelSights nearby - Well located for major sights. -
Bauer Il Palazzo
Venice
Classic grand palazzo hotel with a breathtakingly romantic restaurant on the Grand Canal. Sumptuous bedrooms, spa and rooftop jacuzzi in a five star package. Honeymoon stuff.
82 rooms from $458Restaurant - Enjoy stunning view of the Grand Canal below with your dinner.Views - Views of the Grand Canal.Sights nearby - 2 minutes from St Mark's Square.Romantic - Good for couples. -
Ca’ Sagredo Hotel
Venice
Magnificent Venetian palace on the Grand Canal, with opulent, restored decor and super luxurious rooms. Impossibly romantic.
42 rooms from $458Views - Grand Canal views.Romantic - Good for couples.HistoricOutstanding locationRecommended by - Small Luxury Hotels, Travel Intelligence -
Flora
Venice
Charming, traditional family run hotel with an enchanting garden and traditional feel. Well suited to families, good value not far from the action.
43 rooms from $341Garden - Attractive outside space.Sights nearby - St Marks Square a short walk away.Recommended by - Frommers, Travel Intelligence -
Quattro Fontane
Venice
With the charm and feel of a private home, this hotel on the Lido would suit families. Traditional decor, peaceful and close to the beach.
60 rooms from $301Exclusive offer - Summer beach breaksGarden - Attractive outside space.Seaside - Ideal for a seaside holiday. -
Hotel Londra Palace
Venice
Elegant, luxury hotel with unrivalled position and matchless views of the lagoon. Fine dining, antiques and original art give it some class.
53 rooms from $275Exclusive offer - Complimentary champagne and moreViews - Great views over the lagoon from most rooms.Restaurant - Sophisticated Venetian cuisine.Sights nearby - A short walk to the Doge's Palace.Romantic - Good for couples. -
Locanda Cipriani
Venice (Torcello)
Homely yet sophisticated restaurant with rooms on magical Torcello, an outpost of the grand Cipriani. Magical setting, quiet and secluded, with a lovely garden.
6 rooms from $262Garden - Breakfast can be taken in the garden during summer months.Romantic - Good for couples.Restaurant - Recommended.Secluded setting - For escaping. -
Oltre il Giardino
Venice
Tranquil garden and six beautifully stylish rooms in a country style villa off the beaten track in San Polo. The perfect hideaway for Venice in summer.
8 rooms from $236Garden - Breakfast can be taken here in the summer months.Full of characterSecluded setting - For escaping.Hideaway - Tranquil and intimate.Recommended by - I Escape -
Novecento
Venice (Campo San Maurizio)
Seductive and chic b+b with oriental touches, very well located for shopping. Suits couples, dark and intimate, a short walk to the main sights.
9 rooms from 160Artworks - Regular exhibitions featuring local and national artists.Romantic - Good for couples.Sights nearby - Well located for major sights.Recommended by - I Escape -
Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo
Venice
Small but characterful traditional bedrooms in a good value hotel close to the boat stop for getting around. Charming, with a pretty courtyard. An intimate hideaway.
10 rooms from $196Exclusive offerSights nearby - Short stroll from the Rialto BridgeHideaway - Tranquil and intimate.Recommended by - Travel Intelligence -
Ca’ Pisani
Venice
The first designer hotel in Venice, intimate, chic, sophisticated. Well positioned close to the Rialto, a good minimalist contrast to the baroque excesses of the city.
29 rooms from $196Sights nearby - Close to the Rialto Bridge.Designer - Uniquely designed interiors.Recommended by - I Escape, Travel Intelligence -
Locanda ai Santi Apostoli
Venice
Stylish third floor apartment guesthouse with sitting room and, some bedrooms, overlooking the Grand Canal. A budget way to get a great view.
11 rooms from 150Views - Some rooms have views of the Grand CanalSights nearby - Well located for major sights. -
Venissa
Venice (Isola di Mazzorbo)
A charming and chic hotel-cum-restaurant in manor house with an idyllic island setting. A gastronomic delight off the beaten track, a half hour boat ride from downtown Venice.
6 rooms from $190Restaurant - One of Venice's best restaurants.Sights nearby - Burano is a short stroll away - a photographers paradise.Views - Dreamy views of the lagoon.Secluded setting - For escaping.Recommended by - I Escape -
Locanda del Ghetto
Venice
Understated and romantic locanda in an evocative area of Venice. Off the beaten track, quiet and good value, simple rooms, some with terraces overlooking the square.
6 rooms from 135Secluded setting - For escaping. -
Palazzo Abadessa
Venice
Restored 16th-century palazzo with (mostly) spacious frescoed rooms, full of antiques and Murano glass. Plenty of character, with a walled garden. Grand house party feel.
15 rooms from $164Garden - Beautiful flower filled gardenFull of characterHouse party feel - Be prepared to meet people.Secluded setting - For escaping.Recommended by - I Escape -
Pensione La Calcina
Venice
Charming and often fully booked romantic pensione converted with style and flair, where Ruskin used to stay. Some rooms have great views. Ideal for families.
28 rooms from $144Exclusive offer - Venetian breakViews - Great views from hotelRomantic - Good for couples.Sights nearby - Well located for major sights.Recommended by - Frommers, Good Hotel Guide -
Palazzo dal Carlo
Venice (Dorsoduro)
Beautifully decorated and well restored Venetian palazzo b+b, with communal breakfasts. Ten minutes walk to St Marks, quiet and relaxed.
2 roomsExclusive offerSights nearby - Close to the Accademmia.Full of character -
Gritti Palace
Venice
Classic grand hotel for special occasions, in former 15th century Doge's palace. Views to die for, traditional elegance, fine dining.
Bar - Watch the sun dip behind the Salute church.Views - Great views from hotelRestaurant - Recommended.Romantic - Good for couples.Recommended by - Frommers, Travel Intelligence -
Metropole
Venice
A hotel full of character and warmth on the Riva overlooking the lagoon. Full of an eclectic mix of curios and collectables, with a rare garden and fine dining.
67 roomsArtworks - Gallery with private collections on display.Views - Choose a room with a lagoon view.Garden - Attractive outside space.Restaurant - Recommended. -
Locanda Orseolo
Venice
Small jewel-like hotel with genuinely warm welcome, an exquisite boutique hideaway - elegant, richly furnished, intimate. Canopied beds for the romantic.
12 roomsFull of characterRomantic - Good for couples.Sights nearby - Well located for major sights.Hideaway - Tranquil and intimate.Recommended by - Fodors -
La Villeggiatura
Venice
Comfortable, spacious and light rooms in a simple but elegantly furnished guesthouse. Well positioned close to the Rialto, ideal for families.
6 roomsSights nearby - Steps from The Rialto Bridge.Local markets - The Rialto market.
