The best 5-star hotels in Venice

1. Nolinski Venezia, Venetian art de vivre at its best

Our favorite hotel in Venice. Just a few canals away from Piazza San Marco and the Doge's Palace, the Nolinski Venezia is a sanctuary in the heart of the Doge's City. Its majestic façade, adorned with chimeras, daughters of Poseidon, recalls the power of the Serenissima, acquired through the waters. Housed in the former Stock Exchange, this Green Globe-certified 5-star hotel embodies Venetian elegance and art de vivre at its very best. In harmony with the city, the 43 rooms, including 13 suites, and Ottoman-inspired spa offer a haven of peace, a timeless stay.

Designed by Yann Le Coadic and Alessandro Scotto, the Nolinski Venezia's architecture is evocative, dreamlike and unaffectedly elegant. Their signature: a timeless modernity, sober and refined, that defies fashion to impose an atmosphere that is both sensitive and singular.

In dialogue with them, Amélie Du Chalard has assembled a collection of art objects of rare originality, conceived as a natural extension of the space. Each piece resonates with the building, the Venetian heritage and the vision of the decorators, creating a universe that is both eclectic and harmonious.

To this aesthetic score is added the literary note of Anatole Desachy, independent bookseller and treasure hunter. For the Nolinski, he has collected over 4,000 books, nearly half of which are devoted to art and Venice: from the Renaissance to the Biennale, from design to fashion. His library, housed in the bar, is well worth a visit in itself, a cabinet of bookish curiosities where rare editions and previously unpublished volumes rub shoulders.

Finally, the sound dimension of the space bears the signature of sound designers Fred Viktor and Jerry Bouthier, veritable couturiers of sound. Editors, composers and producers, they have imagined tailor-made auditory ambiances, shaping an immersive experience where each space finds its own resonance.

The 43 rooms and suites are spread over five floors. Classic (22 m²), superior (26 m²) and deluxe (29 m²) rooms combine elegance and comfort. Stucco marbro adorns the headboards, and mango woodwork contrasts with gray marmorino and powder-pink velvet. The subdued light of a blown-glass lantern, inspired by those in the Doge's Palace, delicately falls on a Quattrocento portrait here, a contemporary sculpture here. Just a few steps from Piazza San Marco, the 13 suites, from the Junior Suite (28 to 36 m²) to the Superior Suite (39 m²) and Deluxe Suite (43 m²), offer space beyond the bedroom and mosaic-clad bathroom: corridors, lounges and/or terraces in some cases.

Finally, the six Master Suites, named Bianca, Pietro, Caterina, Enrico, Giacomo or Tiziano, ranging in size from 46 to 82 m2, some with charming private terraces, reveal a singular atmosphere, enriched by beautiful books, original works of art, Murano glass objects signed by Avem and speakers broadcasting the soundtrack of the place.

On the gastronomic side, Il Caffè, in the calm of a verdant patio, offers fresh, local Mediterranean cuisine, while the former council chamber of the Royal Palace still offers a spectacular, and very comfortable, setting for breakfast. The Library Bar, adorned with a fresco by Simon Buret, is the perfect hushed refuge in which to savor the creations of Jérémy Bacquet, the Evok Group's bar design director.

On the wellness side, the myBlend spa combines high-tech know-how with rituals inspired by Ottoman tradition. The golden pool, unique to Venice, extends this sensory experience with a 360° view over the city's rooftops.

From the attentive concierge to the traditional shoe-shine service, not to mention the welcome extended to families and pets, the Nolinski Venezia cultivates the art of hospitality down to the smallest detail.

What makes the difference?

• Under the concrete roof structure, an astonishing gold-bearing basin offers a 360° view of the rooftops through the historic attic bays
• On the 3rd floor, the 5-star Venice hotel's library bar, with over 4,000 novels and fine books available to guests.

Nolinski Venezia
43 keys from €472 per night
Calle Larga XXII Marzo, San Marco 2032, Venice
Information and reservations

2. The St-Regis Venice

On the banks of the Grand Canal, on the site of the Grand Hotel Britannia opened in 1895 (more recently known as the Hotel Europa & Regina), this completely renovated 5-star hotel in Venice combines heritage with contemporary luxury. The third hotel in the St Regis Hotels & Resorts chain (after Florence and Rome), The St-Regis Venice is spread over five interconnected palaces, the oldest of which dates back to the 17th-century. Sleeping in palettes of pastel hues, the 124 rooms and 39 suites are adorned with bespoke designer furnishings and works of art. Gio's Restaurant offers a journey through Venetian and Italian dishes revisited. The private garden of The St. Regis Bar has become a meeting place for local trendsetters, and the club-like Arts Bar celebrates masterpieces with a series of cocktails. A chic Venice hotel whose view of the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute is worth the trip.

What makes the difference?

• Its location along the Grand Canal, overlooking the Punta della Dogana museum
• The attentive service of a team of butlers
• The Evening Ritual: champagne sabrage on Fridays and Saturdays between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m.

The St-Regis Venice
163 keys from €828 per night
Piazza San Marco 2159, 30124 Venice

3. Londra Palace Venezia, 5 stars on the San Marco basin

At the luxurious Londra Palace, huge windows in most of the 52 rooms look directly out over the expanse of the lagoon. Under a succession of names, Venice's 5-star hotel has been welcoming guests since 1853. Tchaikovsky stayed here in 1877, writing his Fourth Symphony while watching over San Giorgio Maggiore from across the water. A member of Relais & Châteaux, all rooms are decked out in bright colors, with brocade curtains, sumptuous wall coverings and marble bathrooms - Venetian tradition at its best. On the top floor, one suite has a large terrace facing the lagoon, known here as an altana, and many junior suites have small balconies. Even the most modest classic rooms, facing backwards, are a good size and boast beautiful rooftop views.

What makes the difference?

• The local cuisine of executive chef Daniele Galliazzo, who sources his ingredients from the island garden in Sant'Erasmo lagoon
• Sip one of head bartender Marino Lucchetti's signature cocktails, such as the Americano 4.1, on the terrace in front of the hotel.

Londra Palace Venezia
52 rooms from €600 per night
Riva degli Schiavoni, Castello 4171, Venice

4. Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel

Standing on the island of Giudecca, opposite Piazza San Marco, Hotel Cipriani, a member of the Belmond Collection, offers spectacular views of the lagoon and Venetian monuments. Since its opening in 1958, it has been a favorite haunt of VIPs from all over the world, in search of a quiet, exclusive setting. The 96 rooms and suites are divided between the main building, built in the 1950s, and two palazzi, including the Vendramin, a 15th-century architectural gem with private butler service. This 5-star hotel in Venice is the epitome of Italian elegance, with solid parquet flooring, marble, gilding, Murano lighting, Fortuny fabrics and Venetian watercolors. This season, chef Vania Ghedini is at the helm of the ORO restaurant, an innovative take on traditional local cuisine.

What makes the difference?

• The largest swimming pool of any Venetian palace: 33 m long, with water filtered from the lagoon and heated to 29°C (for guests only)
• A clay tennis court and shuttle service are also available

Hotel Cipriani
96 keys, from 1400€ per night. Closed end of September.
Giudecca 10, 30133 Venice

5. Aman Venice, 5 stars on the Grand Canal

A haven for Hollywood stars and Italian nobility, Aman's latest address on the European continent is located in the Palazzo Papadopoli on the Grand Canal, owned for over 200 years by the Arrivabene family. While George Clooney spent his wedding night in the Alcova Tiepolo suite, all the suites feature large frescoes, putti, gilding and pilasters around the doors, and Murano chandeliers that plunge you into the city's historic ambience. But it's above all the Italian restaurant Arva and its discreet location that keep VIPs coming back again and again to this 5-star hotel in Venice.

What makes the difference?

• The to-and-fro between pomp and intimacy, a simple pedestal table as a reception area, and a style that oscillates between rococo and neo-Renaissance
• Insider experiences to discover the city like a Venetian, but we'll say no more.

Aman Venice
24 keys from €1250 per night
Palazzo Papadopoli, Calle Tiepolo Baiamonte, 1364, Venice

6. JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa

The resort shuttle connects this luxurious haven of peace away from the hustle and bustle of Venice in just a few minutes via a private canal. Camped since 2015 on the island of Isola delle Rose, the 226-room 5-star Venice blossoms amid 16 hectares of gardens and olive groves. In the main building of the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, the bright, uncluttered rooms and suites are softened by natural hues, brightened by unique works of art. For even greater intimacy, the JW Retreats are nestled in the greenery, with their contemporary decor and exclusive services. Italian cuisine takes pride of place at Agli Amici Dopolavoro, which showcases local produce, as well as at Sagra Rooftop Restaurant. A magical spot with a breathtaking view over the lagoon, where you can indulge in chef Raffaele Lotto's creative culinary journey. After sightseeing, the rooftop pool and extensive spa (the largest in Venice) are ideal for relaxation breaks.

What makes the difference?

• Chic picnics under the trees, very popular with children
• The Sapori Cooking Academy. Workshops to learn how to prepare a menu in the pure Venetian tradition.

JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
266 keys from €333 per nightI
sola delle Rose Laguna Di, 30133 Venice

7. Baglioni Hotel Luna

In terms of location, Venice's 5-star Baglioni Hotel Luna is unbeatable: nestled literally around the corner from St. Mark's Square, with a private canal for water cab arrivals and a gondola stop on its doorstep. It's also the oldest hotel in Venice, dating back to 1118, and one of the most Venetian, as you'd expect from an Italian hotel brand. The interior is resplendent with Murano chandeliers, antique furniture and silk brocade walls, and breakfast is served in a grandiose room beneath a fresco.

In the rooms, the golden bed frames are flanked by tassel suspensions, and the generous rooms are all in marble. In the evening, head to the ground-floor bar for an aperitif followed by dinner at Canova Restaurant, by chef Claudio Sadler, who was awarded a Michelin star in 2021 while running the Gusto by Sadler restaurant at the Hotel Baglioni in Sardinia. Now in Venice and working with executive chef Gennaro Balice, Sadler offers a revisited traditional approach: Venetian-style beef, Cappellacci stuffed with lagoon shrimp.

Baglioni Hotel Luna
From €1,200 per night
Piazza San Marco, 1243, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy