Orient Express Venezia - New Hotel in Venice, Italy

A hidden palace in the heart of Venice

Tucked away just minutes from the city’s historic quays, the hotel occupies a privileged yet discreet location, offering an intimate perspective on Venice far from the crowds. As guests step inside, the atmosphere shifts instantly, revealing a serene world of private courtyards, secret gardens, and sunlit terraces. The palace opens like a quiet masterpiece, where every corridor and every window frames a different view of Venice’s timeless beauty. It is a place where the city’s vibrant energy softens into something more personal, more contemplative.

A legacy shaped by nobility and reinvention

Dating back to the 15th century, the palace carries a remarkable lineage, once home to the Duke of Urbino and the illustrious Donà and Giovannelli families. In the 19th century, architect Gian Battista Meduna transformed the residence, layering it with Neo-Gothic and Baroque influences that still define its character today. After later serving as a Pinacoteca, the building has now entered a new chapter under the vision of Aline Asmar d’Amman, who led an eight-year restoration to revive its grandeur. Through this transformation, the palace honors its aristocratic past while embracing the iconic identity of the Orient Express brand.

A masterpiece of Venetian architecture and design

The design of Orient Express Venezia is a celebration of Venice’s artistic soul. Vaulted ceilings adorned with frescoes, intricate stuccoes, and ornate detailing tell stories of centuries past, while contemporary interventions introduce a refined sense of comfort and lightness. Rich materials such as watered silks, sumptuous velvets, and vibrant marbles echo the textures and colors of the city itself. The interplay of light across these surfaces creates a luminous atmosphere, where every space feels both theatrical and intimate. It is a setting where heritage and modernity coexist in perfect harmony.

Rooms and signature suites steeped in history

Within its historic walls, the hotel offers 47 meticulously restored rooms, suites, and grand salons, each designed to evoke the romance of a bygone era. The six Signature Suites stand as the crown jewels of the property, each telling its own story through architectural details and artistic elements. From frescoes dedicated to the goddess Minerva to gilded salons animated by cherubs and monumental marble fireplaces, every suite is a living work of art. Expansive windows open onto some of the most coveted canal views in Venice, while interiors balance opulence with contemporary comfort, creating spaces that feel both immersive and deeply personal.

A refined culinary experience inspired by Venice

Dining at Orient Express Venezia unfolds as a sophisticated journey through Venetian gastronomy. The destination restaurant reinterprets local traditions through a haute cuisine lens, offering dishes that celebrate the richness of regional ingredients with precision and creativity. A vibrant all-day dining venue introduces a more relaxed yet equally refined atmosphere, extending onto hidden courtyards and lush gardens. At the bar, the experience continues with signature cocktails and authentic cicchetti, Venice’s iconic small bites, served in an elegant setting that captures the spirit of La Serenissima.

A sanctuary of wellbeing and timeless rituals

The wellness offering at Orient Express Venezia draws inspiration from the city’s role as a historical crossroads of cultures. The spa, soon to open, will blend influences from Roman thermal traditions, Ottoman hammams, and Venice’s maritime heritage to create a unique sanctuary of relaxation. Treatments combine ancestral purification rituals with contemporary techniques, offering a deeply immersive approach to wellbeing. For a more private experience, signature treatments can be enjoyed within the intimacy of the rooms, transforming each stay into a personal retreat dedicated to balance and renewal.

A new chapter in Venetian luxury

Orient Express Venezia is more than a hotel; it is a living narrative where history, art, and hospitality intertwine. From the grandeur of the Salone Vittoria, once the setting of aristocratic celebrations, to the quiet elegance of its hidden gardens, every detail invites guests to step into a world of timeless beauty. In this reawakened palace, Venice reveals itself in its most intimate and enchanting form, offering an experience that lingers long after departure.

We love Orient Express Venezia for:

– Opening in 2026 after an eight-year restoration of a 15th-century palace
– 47 rooms and suites including six exceptional Signature Suites
– Historic interiors with frescoes, stuccoes, and Venetian noble details
– A refined culinary concept blending haute cuisine and Venetian tradition
– A future spa inspired by Roman, Ottoman, and maritime wellness rituals
– A discreet yet central location in Venice with private gardens and terraces