With its winding canals and historic charm, Venice has long been a dream destination for travellers of all ages seeking romance and elegance. Whether you're wandering through its narrow streets, indulging in an Aperol Spritz or three, enjoying a gondola ride or soaking in the rich cultural heritage, its unique blend of magic and history never fails to captivate.

From lavish palaces to quaint budget-friendly gems, these hotels ensure that your Venetian adventure is as comfortable and enchanting as the city itself.

Best For: All-Out Luxury

Left to Right: Hotel Cipriani & Aman Venice

Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel

Not every hotel could maintain its reputation as the most luxurious hotel in Venice for more than 65 years but, then again, Hotel Cipriani isn't your average hotel. One of Venice’s true grande dame hotels, it was opened in 1958 by Giuseppe Cipriani (who also founded the equally iconic Harry’s Bar, birthplace of Venice's obligatory cocktail, the Bellini), and boasts prime position on the eastern tip of the island, accessible via its own private dock.

While it's one of the bigger hotels in the city (it is home to 96 beautifully designed rooms and suites, all complete with garden or water views, as well as a Michelin-starred restaurant), it never feels crowded, and you might even spot a celebrity or two doing laps in the Olympic-sized seawater swimming pool - past guests have included Yves Saint Laurent, Sophia Loren, Catherine Deneuve, Cary Grant, Burt Reynolds, Brad Pitt, Paul McCartney and Cate Blanchett. among many others.

Aman Venice

The spot where George and Amal Clooney chose to host their lavish nuptials (need we say more?), luxe hotel group's Aman outpost has been wooing the rich and famous with the likes of frescoes, Murano chandeliers and Rubelli silk wall coverings ever since it opened its doors in 2013.

Nestled in the quieter San Polo district, this converted 16th-century grand palace is intimate with just 24 rooms, most of which have Grand Canal views, and all of which come complete with huge bathrooms, historical details and opulent palazzo flourishes.

As to be expected, gastronomes will be more than well catered to with both casual and extravagant dining options, from traditional Italian pastas to intricate tasting menus crafted from local ingredients.

Best For: Adults-Only

Left to Right: Excess Venice & Madama Garden Retreat

Excess Venice Boutique Hotel & Private Spa

A chic four-star property housed in a 15th-century building in Venice's tranquil Dorsoduro area, the Excess Venice Boutique Hotel & Private Spa manages to avoid the crowds while offering easy access to the city's biggest sites, being close to the San Basilio waterbus station with links to St. Mark’s Square only a 2-minute walk away.

Plump for a suite to enjoy a spa bath and views of the canal, while during the summer guests can also recover from all the site-seeing by relaxing in the pretty garden or on the sunny terrace. You don't have to tell us twice.

Madama Garden Retreat

A canalside retreat in Venice’s Cannaregio district, everything screams sophistication at this adults-only bolthole, from the lavish Calvino-inspired interiors to the use of St Mark’s marble and the Palazzo Guistinian’s arches.

Boasting prime position just behind the Scuola della Misericordia, and a few minutes from the Grand Canal’s Ca’d’Oro, rooms vary between being calming and maximalist, with each referencing a different flower, and while there's no restaurant on-site, the excellent breakfast is served under the pergolas in the hotel’s gardens. The best bit? It welcomes guests over 15 years old only, so you can always enjoy it in peace.

Best For: A Boutique Stay

Left to Right: Il Palazzo Experimental & Hotel Violino d'Oro

Il Palazzo Experimental

The first Italian outpost of the Paris-based Experimental Group, Il Palazzo Experimental is the perfect option for young-at-heart travellers looking for a playful and stylish stay in the Floating City. Hidden away from the masses, and with just 32 rooms and suites imagined by renowned interior designer Dorothée Meilichzon, guests can expect a delightful seaside pastiche with 1920s overtones, stripy bed heads and huge mirrors. Some bathrooms have showers, others have baths, so specify when booking if you have a preference.

While lunch and dinner at the ground-floor restaurant are exquisite (Chef Toto D’Aringa serves up seasonal dishes from Puglia, Abruzzo, the Veneto and other regions on Italy’s Adriatic coast), our favourite spot is the traditional Venetian roof terrace where a light wine-and-cicchetti menu is served from 4pm until 7pm. Be sure to head there for sunset.

Hotel Violino d'Oro

One of the city's newer boutique hotels, the 32 key Hotel Violino d'Oro opened in autumn 2023 as a place to connect travellers to the city's best artisans, with every fabric, piece of furniture, and glass was crafted in Italy, made from superior natural materials and designed to outlast time and trend.

From the same people behind Villa Roma Imperiale in Forte dei Marmi, a favourite among the glitterati, this pretty palazzo just a five-minute walk from Piazza San Marco is full to the brim with an eclectic collection of antiques, mid-century design pieces and contemporary art. As such, it's a great shout for culture buffs (it's also in the thick of Venice’s art scene and within a stone's throw of the Biennale Giardini, Basilica San Marco, Museo Correr, Collezione Peggy Guggenheim and La Fenice Opera House), as well as general purveyors of the finer things in life.

Nouveau Italian dishes with a focus on local vegetables and lagoon-caught fish are enjoyed at its Il Piccolo Ristorante, which should always be chased with a quick nightcap at the cosy Il Piccolo Bar.

Best For: Those on a Budget

Left to Right: Il Palazzo Experimental & Hotel Galleria

Hotel Belle Arti

An affordable three-star hotel near the Church of Saint Mary of the Rosary, and close to Ponte dell’Accademia, the only bridge that connects Dorsoduro to San Marco, you can be in the heart of Venice in just 15 minutes at Hotel Belle Arti without breaking the bank. Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum are also in easy reach, and you can treat yourself to a hearty breakfast in the charming fountain courtyard to fuel up before heading out.

As for the rooms, the city of Venice has most certainly made its mark, so expect the likes of scarlet brocades, Murano glass lamps and gilded headboards. Ooh la la.

Hotel Galleria

A romantic stay in Venice doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg - you can enjoy parquet floors, stucco ceilings and Grand Canal views from the comfort of your bed at Hotel Galleria, with prices from just £103 a night.

Proving the best things come in small packages, the hotel has taken over a gorgeous 16th-century building right at the Ponte dell‘Accademia in the heart of the calm Dorsoduro district, and while there's no restaurant on site (breakfasts are served direct to the room), it's in walking distance of a smorgasbord of cafés and bars that we definitely suggest frequenting for sunset aperitivo.