10 Most Romantic Hotels in Venice, Italy (For All Budgets)
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With its softly faded palaces and winding canals, romantic Venice can’t fail to enchant. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Italy – a city that seems made for two!
The hotels live up to the setting. Venice is home to some of Europe’s dreamiest stays. While a few require deep pockets, there are also plenty of wonderfully charming places that don’t blow the budget.
We’ve visited Venice several times and fallen a little more in love with it each time…
So if this gorgeous city is part of your Italy trip and you’re wondering where to stay in Venice for couples, these are our favorite romantic hotels – from splurge-worthy 5-star hotels to intimate boutique hideaways tucked along quiet canals.
(We’ve personally bedded down at most of them ourselves.)
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🏨 The most romantic hotels in Venice, Italy? (quick picks)
Below are our three top picks – each chosen for a different budget:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel
⭐⭐⭐ Hotel La Calcina
1) Hotel Palazzo Abadessa
This gem is utterly romantic – and it’s very easy on the budget too!
Formerly a 16th century palace, it’s been turned into a charming Venice hotel.
The hotel’s atrium has marble floors and stained lead-glass windows that overlook a canal.
Hotel Palazzo Abadessa is handily located in the quiet northern Cannaregio district, a 15- to 20-minute stroll from St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco).
Some people think it’s too far from the center of things. But we like walking – and crossing Venice’s beautiful bridges and canals. That’s partly what Venice is about, right?
(And the fact that it’s a bit of a walk to get to no doubt accounts for why Palazzo Abadessa costs less than it would if it was more centrally located.)
Guest rooms
The palazzo contains 15 rooms and suites. Reached by walking up a marble staircase, each is unique, adorned with Murano chandeliers, antique furniture and silk wall coverings.
Except for one, all are a joy. The one to avoid is the teensy Small Classic room – at 160 sq. ft., it’s really too cramped for comfort.
➡️ Tip
Our favorite is Room 26 (once the palace kitchen), with its exposed timber beam ceiling, stone fireplace and an original giant stone sink in the bathroom.
Actually, any Superior Room (with a garden view) is wonderful.
Eating and drinking
You can sip complimentary Prosecco and nibble on snacks, set out on silver trays in the hall, before heading off to dinner.
Breakfast (included) in the tranquility of the walled garden is also a special treat.
Fortified by fresh-baked croissants, sliced fruit, ham, cheeses and as many cappuccinos as we could drink, we happily set off each morning to explore Venice’s splendors.
What we especially like about Palazzo Abadessa
It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg! And their breakfasts in the garden can’t be beat.
Bottom line: The Palazzo Abadessa is one of the best-value, romantic boutique hotels in Venice, Italy – with loads of charm and character.
- Price – Affordable
- Rating – 9.6 out of 10
Check rates and availability – on Expedia | on Booking.com
2) Hotel Cipriani, a Belmond hotel
For the ultimate romantic splurge, book the Hotel Cipriani – it’s one of the finest honeymoon hotels in Venice.
At this serene Belmond-branded property – set amid lush gardens on Giudecca Island – the atmosphere is “private country estate.”
Expect unparalleled service, of course – the luxury hotel has one staff member per guest.
A private mahogany motor launch runs continuously 24 hours to St. Mark’s Square, which is a five-to seven-minute ride from the hotel.
Rooms and suites
The hotel has 96 rooms and suites.
Lavish details can be found in the wood floors, marble bathrooms, Murano glass chandeliers, gold-framed mirrors and a mix of antique and modern furnishings.
Linked to the hotel through an ancient courtyard and flowered loggia is the Palazzo Vendramin.
Linked to the hotel through an ancient courtyard and flowered loggia is the Palazzo Vendramin.
This 15th century residence has several suites, some featuring a private entrance hall, sitting room and two baths.
There’s also the adjoining Palazzetto Nani Barbaro with five suites.
All palazzo suites have personal butler service.
MICHELIN-star dining at Hotel Cipriani
Make sure to dine by candlelight at the MICHELIN-starred Oro restaurant.
We started with a Bellini in the courtyard while perusing the menu, before moving to the outdoor terrace, overlooking the lagoon, to feast on fresh sea bass and thin green pasta noodles with ham au gratin.
It was one of the most magical dining experiences ever!
What we especially like about Hotel Cipriani
The hotel’s inviting Olympic-sized saltwater pool (heated, of course) is one of the hotel’s most outstanding features – imagine lounging by this gorgeous pool after taking in the sights of Venice!
You can also play tennis on a red-clay tennis court.
- Price – Seriously expensive
- Rating – 9.8 out of 10
Check rates and availability – on Expedia | on Booking.com
3) Hotel La Calcina
Yes, there really is such a thing as a lovely 3-star hotel in Venice – and the family-run Hotel La Calcina is a great choice if you’re trying to be careful with your spending.
Previously known as Pensione La Calcina, it occupies a historic 4-floor building in the Zattere area, located on the Giudecca Canal.
Where John Ruskin stayed
Poets, artists and writers liked to sip coffee in the hotel’s café in the 1800s.
How romantic to think that the bard of Venice – the painter, writer and art critic John Ruskin (who wrote “The Stones of Venice”) – made La Calcina his home in 1877!
Rooms
The hotel has 29 spickety-clean rooms, all different, with parquet floors and wooden furniture. The most romantic options are the larger rooms overlooking the Giudecca Canal.
The cramped bathrooms in the lower category rooms aren’t exactly honeymoon-worthy, however. Superior and top floor rooms are a better bet, with nicer bathrooms – some even have claw-foot tubs.
There’s no elevator, so if stairs aren’t your thing, request a room on the first floor (second floor by North American standards).
➡️ Tip
Room No. 4 is the standout. It has a unique terrace looking right out over the canal. Prosecco before dinner here?
What we especially like about Hotel La Calcina
The historic hotel has a floating terrace jutting out into the Giudecca Canal, where breakfast is served in good weather.
We loved waking up to the tasty continental buffet of yogurt, pastries, fresh fruit, cheeses and cold cuts, enjoyed on the banks of the shimmering canal.
The hotel is also just steps away from a great wine bar and good dinner restaurants.
- Price – Affordable
- Rating – 9.2 out of 10
Check rates and availability – on Expedia | on Booking.com
4) Hotel Excelsior
The beach island of Lido is a fantastic option if you want to escape Venice’s summer crowds – or if you’re craving a more relaxed, beachy feel alongside your sightseeing. We really loved staying at the Hotel Excelsior for exactly this reason.
A complimentary water taxi (15-minute ride) whisks you across the Venetian lagoon to this iconic 5-star hotel on the Lido.
Rooms and suites
Originally built as a long-stay resort at the beginning of the 20th century, the Excelsior has 196 spacious rooms and suites. They’re generously sized and decorated in a whimsical Moorish style, with arches, high ceilings and ivory lattice woodwork.
The hotel has been undergoing renovations, and the refreshed top-floor rooms feel much lighter and more “Lido,” with blue-and-cream striped awnings above the beds. (More updates are planned, so it’s worth checking ahead if décor is a deciding factor for you.)
➡️ Tip
You don’t need to splurge on a sea-view room. Courtyard-view rooms are just as appealing, and corner rooms overlooking the Venice skyline and lagoon are often the best value.
It’s right on the beach
The Excelsior’s beachfront location is a big part of its appeal.
And nothing says romance quite like channeling the golden age of travel while lounging in one of the hotel’s iconic white cabanas! Make like Bogie and Bacall as you stretch out on cushioned sunbeds for two, sip chilled champagne and enjoy the sea breeze – WiFi included (even if Humphrey and Lauren didn’t have it).
The swimming pool is also gorgeous for cooling off in the warmer months. (And it overlooks the beach.)
No question. This is one of the best luxury hotels in Venice for couples if you’re after a resort-style stay.
Note: You pay extra for one of those white cabanas lined up in rows on the beach. And the gray sand can be hot.
What we especially like about the Hotel Excelsior Venice
Staying here gives you two holiday experiences in one – a laid-back Italian beach escape on the Lido, with all the cultural riches of Venice just a short boat ride away.
- Price – Seriously expensive
- Rating – 9 out of 10
Check rates and availability – on Expedia | on Booking.com
5) Hotel American Dinesen
Now don’t be misled by the name.
This isn’t an American hotel at all. The Hotel American Dinesen is very Venetian (though perfectly suited for North Americans). And it’s far more charming than its no-frills name suggests!
This 4-star gem is tucked away in a quiet location in Venice’s Dorsoduro district, near the Accademia Bridge. It even has its own private canal dock, so you can arrive by boat, if you wish.
For a quiet spot to read your Venice guide book or relax with a drink from the bar, settle into a comfy corner on the hotel’s outdoor terrace on the first floor.
Rooms
The 30 elegant rooms and suites are a good size.
And while dressed in Venetian damasks and silk wall coverings, they look contemporary, with polished wood floors and modern rain showers in the bathrooms.
➡️ Tip
Go for a Superior Canal View room with a Juliet balcony (which is what we booked). You get sweet views of the San Vio Canal. (“Hey, honey, check out the gondola floating by!”)
What we especially like about the Hotel American
Owned by the same family for generations, the hotel is well run, with lots of contemporary touches. There’s no sacrificing comfort when staying here.
It’s also in the art district, so it’s very convenient for visiting the famous 20th century art museum, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
- Price – Mid-range
- Rating – 9.2 out of 10
Check rates and availability – on Expedia | on Booking.com
6) Ca Maria Adele
Let’s not overthink this. Ca Maria Adele is ridiculously romantic.
Frequently described as the most romantic boutique hotel in the world, it was crowned the world’s best romantic retreat in the 2021 Boutique Hotel Awards.
This intimate hideaway sits in Venice’s quiet art district of Dorsoduro, with easy access to the Grand Canal (and near the Hotel American Dinesen, #5 above).
Of course, the hotel is on a canal and has its own private water taxi landing. As soon as you arrive, you’re greeted with a welcome glass of Prosecco – and treated like royalty throughout your stay.
Romantic rooms
Ca Maria Adele is a feast for the eyes.
All 12 rooms are lavishly decorated, with Murano chandeliers, marble bathrooms and lots of gilt.
➡️ Tip
Top-floor suites are the ultimate delight. They have stunning views over Venice’s rooftops. One has a little balcony too.
Breakfast
The night before, you choose your breakfast from an à la carte menu placed on your bed (along with fresh rose petals).
Fresh strawberries? Chocolate pancakes? Two 5-minute boiled eggs (one for you and one for your lover)? There are dozens of indulgent choices!
Then you have the very pleasant task of deciding where to eat breakfast. In bed? On the rooftop terrace?
Oh, if only all decisions in life were this sweet!
What we especially like about Ca Maria Adele
The staff are exceptional and can’t do enough to make your stay unforgettable. They’ll help with booking reservations at Venice’s most romantic restaurants to arranging tours and even a personal shopper.
You might also meet the delightful co-owners, Alessio and Nicola Camp, who add a wonderfully personal touch.
And the décor? Sumptuous and theatrical – just what you’d expect from one of the very best Venice honeymoon hotels.
- Price – Splurge
- Rating – 10 out of 10
Check rates and availability – on Expedia | on Booking.com
7) Hotel Ai Reali di Venezia
A two-minute stroll from the Rialto Bridge, Hotel Ai Reali di Venezia is an elegant 4-stay hotel housed in a beautifully restored 17th century palace. It’s also a proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World – always a good sign.
It offers 32 rooms and suites, a Michelin-recommended fine dining restaurant with canal views, a piano bar, and (rare for Venice) a spa with a pool and Turkish bath.
Rooms and suites
The look is traditional Venetian – painted ceilings, antiques and Murano chandeliers. But you’ll also find mod cons like a flat-screen TV in each room.
➡️ Tip
Skip the Classic Rooms, which are itty bitty (150 sq. ft.).
Instead, book a Junior Suite with a canal view. At roughly 430 square feet, they’re generously sized and furnished in sumptuous Venetian style. Many even have a fireplace and a petite “Venetian terrace.”
What we especially like about the Hotel Ai Reali di Venezia
You can roll out of bed and wander over to the old Rialto Fish Market early in the morning. It’s been going for over 1,000 years, so it doesn’t get more authentic than this!
The staff here are also genuinely warm, friendly and happy to help with anything from restaurant reservations to romantic plans.
- Price – Upper mid-range
- Rating – 9.6 out of 10
Check rates and availability – on Expedia | on Booking.com
8) The Gritti Palace
Like the Hotel Cipriani (#2 above), The Gritti Palace is a truly luxurious 5-star Venice hotel – one that’s been wowing guests for more than a century.
Built in the 15th century as a palazzo for Doge Andrea Gritti, it became a hotel in the late 1800s.
Today, it’s a fully restored Luxury Collection Hotel (a group of exclusive hotels under the Marriott banner) – and the result is pure Venetian drama. Think Murano glass chandeliers, frescoed walls and gilded beam ceilings everywhere you look.
It also boasts a privileged location on the Grand Canal, right in the very heart of Venice.
It’s just steps away from the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square, with La Fenice Opera House (Teatro La Fenice) only a 5-minute walk away.
Exquisite rooms
All 82 rooms and suites are opulent, with hand-painted ceilings, canopy beds, beautiful antiques and original oil paintings.
The marble bathrooms are stocked with Acqua di Parma toiletries, one of our favorite bath product brands.
The suites are over-the-top. But even the most basic rooms (Deluxe Rooms) are romantic enough.
What we especially like about The Gritti Palace
Pretty well everything – from the 24-hour room service to its ooh-la-la spa!
The Gritti Palace aims to please… and it succeeds brilliantly. Just be prepared to max out your credit card.
- Price – Major splurge
- Rating – 9.4 out of 10
Check rates and availability – on Expedia | on Booking.com
9) The St. Regis Venice
Another top-tier deluxe choice for a romantic stay in Venice, The St. Regis Venice is an architectural beauty (also under the Marriott umbrella).
It first opened in 1895 and has hosted illustrious guests like Claude Monet, Winston Churchill, and Sigmund Freud.
Following a complete recent refurbishment, the look here is notably more modern than at The Gritti Palace (#8 above). Think clean lines, soft tones, and contemporary art by international artists throughout.
If you love history but prefer a sleeker, less opulent aesthetic, this is your place.
Location-wise, it’s hard to beat. The hotel sits right in the heart of Venice, just a short stroll from St. Mark’s Square.
Serene rooms and suites
Each of the 169 guest rooms and suites of The St. Regis Venice is an elegant sanctuary, reflecting a timeless and classic style.
Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to provide the utmost comfort – from the plush velvet sofas and Frette luxury linens to the butler service.
➡️ Tip
Some rooms and suites have private terraces over the Grand Canal, offering exceptional views of the canal. They’re the rooms to book, if you can swing it.
What we especially like about The St. Regis in Venice
The soft pale hues are calming and soothing. Dinner on the terrace at the hotel’s Gio’s restaurant is also a treat (don’t miss the tiramisu).
- Price – Seriously expensive
- Rating – 9.6 out of 10
Check rates and availability – on Expedia | on Booking.com
10) Baglioni Hotel Luna
A stone’s throw away from St. Mark’s Square, Baglioni Hotel Luna is said to be the oldest hotel in Venice. Set within a former 12th-century palazzo, it radiates old-world charm and refined elegance.
Breakfast in the former Marco Polo Ballroom – surrounded by elaborate paintings depicting Venetian history and culture – is the perfect prelude to exploring the city.
For a romantic dinner, the hotel’s award-winning Canova Restaurant serves refined gourmet cuisine by Michelin-starred Chef Claudio Sadler.
Tiziano Lagoon View Suite
Looking for a totally romantic hotel room with a view? Book the Tiziano Lagoon View Suite.
At around 645 square feet in size, it boasts parquet wood floors, antique Venetian furnishings, a spacious Italian marble bathroom and unrivalled views of Venice’s enchanting lagoon and San Giorgio Island. Sigh…
What we especially like about Baglioni Hotel Luna
It’s hard not to like the timeless atmosphere, the glorious water views and the unbeatable central location – all within easy walking distance of Venice’s top sights.
And compared with The Gritti Palace (#8) and The St. Regis Venice (#9), it’s a little gentler on the wallet.
- Price – Expensive
- Rating – 9.4 out of 10
Check rates and availability – on Expedia | on Booking.com
Now you know the most romantic places to stay in Venice!
With Venice’s increasing popularity – and the tourist crowds that descend in summer – you may wonder if Venice is still one of the best places in Italy for a romantic getaway.
Trust us, it is! Especially if you visit outside of the peak tourist season (i.e., if you go, say, in May, late September or October.)
From charming canal-side retreats to elegant boutique hotels, they’re sure to sweep you off your feet. They’re perfect for a honeymoon in Venice, celebrating an anniversary or simply because you want a romantic hotel!
Now, many of the most romantic Venice hotels hug the canals. So if you can swing it, go for a room with a terrace overlooking one of those picturesque canals.
It adds a whole new level of romance!
Have we missed any of your favorites? You can let us know in the Comments section below. You can also see hotel suggestions from other readers.
See our other Italy travel guides
- How to Plan a Trip to Italy
- 23 Prettiest Places in Italy (Not Big Cities)
- 11 Great Cities to Visit in Italy for the First Time
- 17 Most Romantic Things to Do in Venice
- Getting From the Venice Cruise Port to the Train Station
- The Beautiful Bridges of Venice
- How to Visit Matera (Private Transfers and Tours)
- It’s Worth Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pssst! Save this romantic Venice accommodation guide for later
💡Our top travel tips and resources
→ General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, with loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
→ Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking.com’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find excellent discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
→ Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
→ Flights: For the best flights, we search on Google Flights first. Expedia and Kayak are then perfect for snagging the cheapest tickets. (They’re often non-refundable, though, so for more flexibility, we book directly with the airline, even if it costs more.)
→ Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
→ Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental: Renting a car can be a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies for the lowest rates.
→ Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
→ Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
→ Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find cool hotels and other useful trip planning info.
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Photo Credits: 2, 5, 6, 8 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | Other hotel photos courtesy the respective hotels
About the authors
When in Venice, we also stayed at the Al Ponte Antico – the nicest little hotel right on the canal with a view of the Rialto Bridge!
The friendly owners bake the goodies and serve the drinks, which you can enjoy from their beautiful little veranda.
Our room had a huge window that opened out onto the water. We just sat and waved at all the gondolas passing by! In olden days, the hotel belonged to a textile merchant who used to display his wares from this very window.
Thanks for letting us know! Two reader votes now for Al Ponte Antico :-)
Another lovely romantic hotel in Venice is the hotel Al Ponte Antico, which is just gorgeous. I had the pleasure of staying there in 2016.
That hotel does look lovely. Thanks for your contribution!