There’s no place in the world quite like Venice, “The City of Canals.” This 1200-year-old city in Italy’s northern Veneto region boasts offers rich culture, stunning architecture, and great nightlife. While you could do a day trip here, I recommend booking at least one night in one of the best hotels in Venice!
Stay near all the action in the City Center. You’ll be close to Venice’s 177 canals, over 400 gorgeous bridges, painted churches, fascinating history, and good food. Now, what exactly constitutes the best hotel in Venice might be different for you than someone else. And there are so many quality hotels in Venice to choose from!
As an experienced traveler to Italy, I’ll share what I think are the best hotels to stay in Venice. Below you’ll find great options for luxury hotels, vacation rentals, and everything in between. Our stay in Venice is something my family will never forget, and you won’t either. Make sure you find the perfect digs for your visit!
What we'll be talking about
- Need More Info on Venice?
- Where to Stay in Venice-Best Venice Neighborhoods
- Venice Hotel Map
- Best Canal View Hotels in Venice
- Best Family Friendly Hotels in Venice
- Best Luxury Hotels in Venice
- Best Mid-Range Hotels in Venice
- Best Budget Hotels in Venice
- Best Rental Homes in Venice
- Stay at One of the Best Hotels in Venice, Italy
Pro Tip: In an order to promote more sustainable travel, Venice is considering implementing a new booking system which may begin next year. Learn more about the Venice booking system here.
Need More Info on Venice?
- The Best Things to do in Venice
- Where to Stay in Venice
- Venice Food Guide
- Venice Packing List
- How to Get Around Venice – Transportation Guide
- Venice with Kids
- One Day in Venice Itinerary
- How Much Does a Gondola Ride Cost
- How to Book a Photoshoot in Venice
- New Venice Tourist Booking System
- Paddleboarding in Venice
- Day Trips from Venice
- Venice Home Page
Where to Stay in Venice-Best Venice Neighborhoods
One of the most famous cities on the planet, Venice can also be an expensive place to stay. I recommend taking at least 1 or 2 nights to experience this amazing place. To make the most of your time (and your money), look for hotels in the City Center, rather than traveling back and forth to the mainland.
Imagine walking the canals by moonlight or waking up to the sunrise on the canals out your bedroom window! But exactly where is the best area to stay in Venice? Look in these central sestieri (neighborhoods):
- San Marco
- San Polo
- Dorsoduro
- Cannaregio
- Castello
San Marco is the geographical center of the city, and as the most famous district, it features some of the best hotels in Venice. You’ll be close to iconic centrally located landmarks like Saint Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, and St Mark’s Basilica.
On the other side of the Grand Canal from San Marco is the neighborhood of San Polo. Venice’s oldest district, you’ll find 800-year-old structures here. It’s where some of the best markets and piazzas such as Piazza San Marco and Campo San Polo are located, as well as trattorias and osterias.
If you’re looking for Venice’s nightlife, stay in Dorsoduro. This is the best place to stay for young people and anyone interested in trendy eateries and shops. Home to the University of Venice, the neighborhood benefits from being Venice’s hip college area.
The district of Cannaregio has some of the best hotels in Venice, Italy for those on a budget who still want to stay in one of the 6 historic sestieri. This residential area is my favorite place to stay in Venice because it’s a little more casual. You really get the local experience here, but there’s still great shopping and historical sites all around.
Then there’s Castello, which is known for being the largest and most peaceful neighborhood in central Venice. For things to do in Venice, head to Castello to shop along Via Garibaldi, with its outdoor markets, trendy boutiques, and more.
Venice Hotel Map
How to Use This Map: Click the arrow button on the top left corner of the map to see the different map layers. Click on the icons on the map. These will give you more information about each point of stop. Clicking on the sta will add this map to your Google Maps account. To access this later, go to google.com/maps To see the map on your phone or computer, open Google Maps or visit google.com/maps, click Menu, Your Places, Maps, and you will see your maps.
Best Canal View Hotels in Venice
#1 Best Canal View Hotels in Venice
Sina Palazzo Sant’Angelo
A 4-star luxury hotel in San Marcos, Sina Palazzo Sant’Angelo is one of the best hotels in Venice, Italy on the Grand Canal. Choose from elegant suites or rooms, many of which boast some of the most iconic Grand Canal views.
You’re literally steps away from the Sant’Angelo ferry terminal that can take you to and from the airport. Plus, the Sina Palazzo Sant’Angelo offers romance packages for couples and in-room babysitting services for families.
#2 Best Canal View Hotels in Venice
H10 Palazzo Canova
If you’re looking for the best honeymoon hotels in Venice, Italy, H10 Palazzo Canova in San Polo should be at the top of your list. Enjoy romantic views of the Grand Canal and the iconic Rialto Bridge. Rooms and suites feature a modern twist on Venetian interiors, views of the Grand Canal, and air conditioning (rare for Venetian hotels!).
Take a stroll outside your hotel and choose from one of the many amazing restaurants and bars serving everything from seafood and pizza to tapas. And make sure to dine at the hotel’s own Terrace Bar restaurant where you can enjoy views of the Rialto Bridge.
#3 Best Canal View Hotels in Venice
Hotel Londra Palace
What makes Castello’s Hotel Londra Palace one of the best hotels in Venice with a canal view is the location right on the Venetian Lagoon. The luxurious, traditionally styled rooms and suites have either city or lagoon views. Rooms with lagoon views are highly coveted because they centerpiece the breathtaking Church of San Giorgio Maggiore in the distance!
A stay at Hotel Londra Palace offers one of the best locations in the city. Outside the front doors is the Riva degli Schiavoni, a popular waterfront promenade. There, you can book a gondola ride, enjoy a morning stroll, or eat at a waterfront restaurant.
Best Family Friendly Hotels in Venice
If you’re heading to Venice with kids, you’ll want somewhere family-friendly to stay. Here are my top picks.
#1 Best Family Friendly Hotels in Venice
Hotel Cà Nobile Corner
The Hotel Cà Nobile Corner is a really cool hotel in Dorsoduro in an amazing locale. It’s actually an old palace renovated to be a hotel for a fun boutique feel and great atmosphere. It’s also one of the best family hotels in Venice, Italy with spacious double rooms and suites.
Families will appreciate amenities like black-out curtains, bathtubs, and daily buffet breakfasts. You’re also directly off the bustling Campo Santa Margherita, a spacious local square that’s popular during festival season and all throughout the year.
#2 Best Family Friendly Hotels in Venice
Hotel Sant’Antonin
Families will love the spacious and charming Hotel Sant’Antonin. Explore the churches and canals of San Marco and then come back to your retreat in Castello. You can stay in a spacious double or triple room or a larger suite with a terrace over the canal.
The Hotel Sant’Antonin offers families awesome perks like on-site babysitting, cribs, and laundry facilities. And guests can access beautiful terraces, gardens, patios, courtyards, and even a children’s play area!
#3 Best Family Friendly Hotels in Venice
B&B Fortuny
On your search for the best hotels to stay in Venice, Italy for families, don’t overlook smaller bed & breakfasts like B&B Fortuny. Enjoy all the little touches that B&Bs are known for, like a personal greeting and complimentary airport shuttles. Connected rooms and suites feature homey amenities, including highchairs and cribs (upon request).
You can order a hot breakfast to be delivered every morning, use the laundry room, or request babysitting services. Besides offering an ideal location on the canals in the heart of San Marco, you can peruse an on-site famous art gallery and boutique store!
Best Luxury Hotels in Venice
#1 Best Luxury Hotels in Venice
Hotel Ai Reali di Venezia
Enjoy star treatment at Hotel Ai Reali. The ultimate luxury experience, it’s the kind of place where the concierge remembers your name! Let them help you book gondola rides or recommend a restaurant. Plus, you’re located in a coveted part of San Marcos.
No 2 rooms are alike, and suites feature sitting areas, vaulted ceilings, and canal views. Plus, the entire 4th floor is dedicated to Hotel Ai Reali’s spa. You can book massages, or try out emotional showers, Turkish baths, Jacuzzis, saunas, and more.
#2 Best Luxury Hotels in Venice
Baglioni Hotel Luna
The southern side of San Marcos is where you’ll find some of the best luxury hotels in Venice, Italy, including Baglioni Hotel Luna. It’s also home to tons of designer brand stores and the most famous landmarks in Venice, like Saint Mark’s Square.
You’ll feel like royalty in one of the ornate suites or (just slightly) smaller rooms at the Baglioni Hotel Luna. Guests can request things like daily breakfast, complimentary newspapers, or childcare services. Also, you can visit the full-service spa on-site for Ayurvedic treatments, aromatherapy treatments, and more.
#3 Best Luxury Hotels in Venice
The St. Regis Venice
A list of the best hotels in Venice wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the decadent St. Regis Venice in San Marcos. Rooms and suites feature views of the Grand Canal with the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and Punta della Dogana across the water!
Travelers of every variety will be satisfied with a vacation at the St. Regis Venice. Families can utilize all kinds of complimentary baby furniture, children’s materials, and planned activities for kids. Couples can enjoy a romantic meal on the rooftop terrace, or book facials and body treatments at the spa.
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Venice
#1 Best Mid-Range Hotels in Venice
Santa Croce Boutique Hotel
What makes Santa Croce Boutique Hotel one of the best value hotels in Venice, Italy is the little details. Enjoy a luxury experience at a mid-range price at this privately owned hotel in the heart of historic Rio di San Polo.
You have a choice of suites or rooms with connected spaces, all graciously adorned with a mix of both modern and classic Venetian styles. Book an in-room massage or enjoy a soak in your deep, jetted tub! There’s a beautiful hotel bar where you can sip on a limoncello, a garden patio for dining, and a library just for guests.
#2 Best Mid-Range Hotels in Venice
EXCESS VENICE Boutique Hotel
Excess Venice isn’t just one of the best boutique hotels in Venice, Italy, but also a top-notch mid-range hotel. And if you’re looking for an adults-only hotel, this Dorsoduro location is for you (there are no children under 14 years).
Splurge on a designer executive suite or stay in an economy room, which is just as stunning. You can book a variety of treatments or use the hammams at the hotel’s private spa. And hotel patrons can take advantage of shuttles to the airport, ferry terminal, or cruise terminal.
#3 Best Mid-Range Hotels in Venice
Venezia Palazzo Barocci
Enjoy views of the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge from terraces, rooms, and suites, at the Venezia Palazzo Barocci in San Marco. This is the best hotel to stay in Venice, Italy if you want a sought-after location at a moderate price. You can choose connecting rooms or suites with terraces overlooking the canal.
There’s a breakfast buffet and bar & lounge that you can enjoy. Eat in the gardens, on terraces with views of the city, or on beautiful patios. And next door you can take the Sant’Angelo ferry to explore the greater Venice area.
Best Budget Hotels in Venice
#1 Best Budget Hotels in Venice
Suites alla Maddalena
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Venetian culture is to stay in Cannaregio. There, you’ll find the Suites alla Maddalena, one of the best affordable hotels in Venice, Italy. It’s located in a gorgeous old building in the city’s historic Jewish Quarter.
While there aren’t many amenities, you’ll love the coziness of this budget bed and breakfast. Enjoy your morning coffee and pastry like a true Italian at the bakery across the street or walk to one of the eateries and shops all around you. Rooms are very spacious and clean, and suites are almost the same, but they’re better for larger groups.
#2 Best Budget Hotels in Venice
Hotel Filù
The Hotel Filù in Cannaregio is possibly the best hotel in Italy, Venice for those on a budget. When you stay here, you’ll be right on the canal, surrounded by historic landmarks, museums, great shopping, and restaurants. The hotel is near the Ponte delle Guglie, and a short walk to the Campo San Geremia, as well. Another no-frills stay, rooms are comfortable and modern with different options at a few price points.
#3 Best Budget Hotels in Venice
Residenza degli Angeli
This top-rated bed & breakfast has an amazing location in the heart of San Polo, just a 5-minute walk to the Rialto Bridge. You’re also a short stroll to surrounding parks, museums, and art galleries. The residential townhouse-turned-hotel is on a quiet neighborhood street, so you can enjoy the feeling of a real Venetian home!
The family-owned Residenza degli Angeli offers all the attention of more expensive stays, but with a humble price tag. You’ll be greeted with a map of Venice and suggestions for places to visit. Stay in one of the traditionally-adorned rooms with either a shared or private bathroom. Every day there’s a hot home-cooked breakfast, as well.
Best Rental Homes in Venice
#1 Best Rental Homes in Venice
Elegant Cannaregio Apartment with Canal Views
Venice also offers visitors many wonderful private vacation rentals, like this one along the canals of Cannaregio. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the Campo Santi Apostoli nearby, or shop at the local supermarket around the corner.
You can enjoy a stay in a classic Venetian home with a living area, dining area, kitchen, and 2 bedrooms that sleep up to 4 people. The kitchen comes stocked with the basics, and you can eat every meal on the terrace with unforgettable views of the canal!
#2 Best Rental Homes in Venice
Light-filled Apartment with 2 Bedrooms in San Marco
Like many VRBOs in Venice, a vacation at this San Marco apartment begins when you’re greeted by the owner at the docks! They’ll guide you to the apartment and show you around. The 400-year-old building is newly modernized (there’s even air conditioning).
Enjoy tons of historic interest but also the comforts of home! There are 2 spacious bedrooms, and every area in the apartment is filled with breezy natural light. When you book here, you’re also just a block from St. Mark’s Square and all the amazing places to eat close by.
#3 Best Rental Homes in Venice
Dorsoduro Apartment with Water Door
If you’re looking for a romantic apartment for 2, this fashionable Dorsoduro apartment is the perfect place. It’s on an authentic residential street in a quiet Dorsoduro neighborhood near the best bars, cafes, and restaurants around.
Eat and sleep like Venetian with the canals right outside your window! The bedroom features a beautiful King-sized bed and a breakfast nook on the terrace. Plus, you can get a water taxi from the apartment’s water door.
Stay at One of the Best Hotels in Venice, Italy
The best of the best hotels in Venice are in the City Center, in one of the 6 historic districts. Immerse yourself in your Venetian vacation with the sounds of the canals outside your window and all the best attractions just minutes away!
You might be looking for the ultimate luxury experience on the bright blue Venetian Lagoon. Or perhaps you need an affordable place to enjoy a few nights in this unforgettable city. I hope I helped you find the perfect place to stay on your Italian getaway. What do you think about my picks for the best places to stay in Venice?
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