Picture a creative collaboration between Peggy Guggenheim and Elton John, and you begin to capture the distinct, theatrical spirit of the new Orient Express Venezia. Situated in the historic Venetian district of Cannaregio, this maximalist fever dream is a masterclass in opulent design, crammed with local touches that range from custom Bevilacqua fabrics to hundreds of handmade Murano chandeliers. It is a property designed not merely to shelter travelers, but to transport them into an era of unabashed grandeur, theatricality, and historic romance.
The arrival of the hotel is the culmination of an intensive, eight-year reimagining of the cotton-candy-pink Palazzo Donà Giovannelli. Originally built in the 15th century, the palazzo’s restoration was overseen by renowned designer Aline Asmar d’Amman, whose previous notable work includes the historic Hotel de Crillon in Paris. The architectural bones of the building are nothing short of impressive, featuring a rare double frontage onto two of Venice’s winding canals, alongside countless frescoes, intricate mosaics, and other historic architectural holdovers preserved from its centuries as a noble family home.
Wandering through the common areas of the 47-room property feels remarkably like meandering through an elaborate, beautifully lit opera set. Guests are greeted by soaring frescoed ceilings, a gleaming gilded ballroom, and intricate mosaic-tiled floors underfoot. Perhaps most striking is the property’s showstopping octagonal staircase, a dramatic architectural feature that feels irresistibly sashay-ready. It is a space so evocative of classical Italian performance that visitors might easily find themselves tempted to burst into a few bars of Mozart’s Don Giovanni while descending to the ground level.
Among the accommodations within the property, the definitive standouts are the six signature suites. Tucked comfortably into the roomier piano nobile—the traditional principal floor of a historic Italian palazzo—each of these spaces is entirely distinctive in both design and scale, stretching up to a sprawling 1,560 square feet. Among them is the Colori Persi suite, which pays deliberate tribute to the faded, delicate, and almost lost colors that form the traditional Venetian palette, inspiring its evocative name. Nearby, the Cherubini Suite is anchor-styled by an original Sebastiano Santi frieze depicting the child-like angel, complemented by a monumental 1950s chandelier designed by master glassmaker Carlo Scarpa.
Beyond the visually arresting rooms and suites, the amenities at the Orient Express Venezia tick all the expected boxes of ultra-luxury hospitality while infusing them with distinct local history and culinary pedigree. Famed chef Heinz Beck is behind the property’s most exclusive dining venue, bringing his celebrated culinary vision to the historic palazzo. Meanwhile, the all-day dining restaurant, La Casati, pays direct homage to the eccentric Italian aristocrat Luisa Casati, who once famously owned the very building that eventually became the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. For a touch of transit history, the art deco-tinged Wagon Bar nods directly to the storied heritage of the Orient Express brand and its legendary railway journeys across Europe.
Yet, what truly sets the Orient Express Venezia apart from the city’s crowded hospitality landscape is its enviable and discreet location. Discerning travelers who have experienced Venice firsthand know the exhaustion of fighting the relentless tourist crowds right on the waterfront when stepping out of historic properties like the Danieli, or the logistical inconvenience of being forced to flee across the lagoon to Giudecca just to find a moment of peace at the Cipriani.
The Orient Express Venezia solves this classic Venetian dilemma by sitting quietly and discreetly within comfortable walking distance of virtually every major city attraction, yet tucked away enough that most casual passersby would scarcely realize a world-class hotel was even there. Furthermore, the property is conveniently positioned just a short, private water taxi ride from the local railway station, where an upcoming new fleet of Orient Express trains will soon begin pulling in to complete the ultimate luxury journey. For travelers seeking both immersion and sanctuary in the Floating City, that seamless connection is, quite simply, the entire point.
