Venice hotels

One of the world's oldest luxury hotels, the Grand Hotel Britannia on Venice's Grand Canal was recently renovated and reopened as The St. Regis. The location, opposite Santa Maria della Salute and a short walk from Piazza San Marco, is unbeatable. Fancy boutiques, art galleries and the Grand Teatro La Fenice (the opera house) are all nearby.

The hotel’s interiors feature tailored fabrics and handcrafted furnishings that draw inspiration from the curves of the gondolas, the Doge’s Palace and the Grand Canal. Some guestrooms even have private terraces, a rarity in Venice.

As an art lover, this is one of my favourite hotels as it shows artworks by artists like Ai Weiwei, Tony Cragg and Julian Opie. Dining is also a delight, especially breakfast, which is served on an outdoor patio right on the canal.

Set on a private island across from Piazza San Marco, access to San Clemente Palace Kempinski is via the hotel’s complimentary water taxi service. The hotel itself is a 900-year-old restored monastery with a 12th-century chapel and nearly 60,000 square metres of lush green gardens, often populated with modern art.

There’s nothing austere in the guestrooms and public spaces, which boast six-metre-high ceilings, grand staircases, Terrazzo flooring, silk wallpapers and Murano chandeliers. The top suite covers an entire wing, blending modern furnishings with exposed timber ceilings and elaborate masonry from the monastery.

Stay overnight or go for lunch, dinner or a cocktail to escape the tourist crowds. As a day visitor, try La Dolce Brasserie & Pool Bar for lunch or an afternoon Aperitif, or enjoy the views over the lagoon in the Sunset Bar.

Built in the 15th century as the private residence of the leader of Venice, Doge Andrea Gritti, this grand palazzo has a beautiful view across to Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Set on the Grand Canal, The Gritti Palace is the epitome of luxury and Venetian Renaissance style.

Here you’ll find 82 guestrooms with rare antique furnishings, precious fabrics and Murano glass. Some of the grandest suites in all of Venice are here, one of which has a plunge pool and the largest private rooftop terrace in the city.

Head to the seasonal terrace for lunch and early cocktails, then move to the Riva lounge (also outdoors) and later to Club del Doge for a gourmet dinner. And for anyone wanting to recreate their meal at home, there are excellent hands-on cooking classes taught by executive chef Alberto Fol and his sous-chef.

You can soak up the Venetian atmosphere in one of the best hotels in Venice without staying in a palace. This family-run pensione is 10 minutes from St Mark’s Square and ideal if you’re in Venice for the Art Biennale. There’s no elevator to the 16 rooms but the benefit of climbing the stairs is that some rooms have lovely views across St Mark's Basin.

I was thrilled to follow in the footsteps of Henry James who completed his 1881 novel, Portrait of a Lady, in the deluxe room where I stayed. Simply furnished with antiques, a Murano glass chandelier and a sitting area with a sofa, you could easily imagine the great author being inspired by the views across the water.

The restaurant, with its traditional Venetian cuisine, is excellent and attracts non-hotel guest too. Try the scallops with black truffle starter, followed by fettuccine with beef ragout.

Though not in the heart of Venice, there’s no doubt Hotel Cipriani on the island of Giudecca is one of the city’s finest luxury hotels. It has the largest swimming pool in central Venice, a sumptuous spa and tennis courts. Plus it’s close enough to the main action, easily accessed across the grand canal from the private dock by a courtesy water taxi.

One of the most glamorous hotels in Venice, it's set among beautiful grounds, and all the rooms and suites have views over the lagoon and hotel gardens. I recommend booking a room with a lagoon view for panoramic vistas of Venice and St Mark’s Square.

The Michelin-starred restaurant, Oro, serves traditional Venetian cuisine – reservations are recommended. There’s also the less formal Il Porticciolo, an oyster bar and seafood restaurant. A bonus is the daily live music in Bar Gabbiano, created by Giuseppe Cipriani of Harry’s Bar fame.

Three inter-connecting palaces make up this historic gem, today one of the best hotels in Venice. Overlooking the lagoon, the oldest is the Gothic-style Palazzo Dandolo, a former Doge’s palace and once the home of Enrico Dandolo, the first of four Dandolo family members to serve as Doge of Venice.

In fact, the 14th-century seat of government, the Doge’s Palace, is open to visitors and only a brief stroll from the hotel. Be sure to stop at the world-famous Bridge of Sighs en route.

The interiors are a gorgeous mix of Venetian Gothic, Baroque and modern design, reflecting the three buildings they’re in. Ask for a luxury lagoon view room with a balcony. Dining is equally spectacular on the Terrazza Danieli rooftop, with views of the beautiful landmarks of Venice and a fabulous Italian menu. Don’t miss the wild seabass in sea urchin sauce.

With a Grand Canal location in a less hectic part of the San Marco area, this 5-star property with interiors by Philippe Starck is one of the best hotels in Venice. The French designer selected an all-white interior, from the carpets and curtains to the walls and sofas. My favourite room is the junior suite with a terrace on the third floor, accessed by a private elevator.

Dining is a spectacle in one of the city’s only open kitchens, where you can watch and interact with the chefs. The menu includes red tuna tartare, beef carpaccio and potato gnocchi with crab. After dinner, have a glass of champagne in the only Krug Lounge in Italy.

Beside the hotel, Palazzo Grassi has been converted into a contemporary art museum by French businessman François Pinault. You’ll find his own incredible collection here and in the Punta della Dogana on the opposite bank.

The beautiful frescoes in the grand ballroom and lounge of the Ca' Sagredo Hotel are just one reason why this 15th-century palace is a National Monument. Part of the Small Luxury Hotel Group, it’s also one of the most unique hotels in Venice, with its attractive pink façade. It’s part hotel, part art gallery, with paintings by important Italian artists.

Located near the famous stone arch Rialto Bridge, you’ll feel like you’re living in an art gallery when you're on the 18th-century marble staircase surrounded by massive frescoes. And again, when you admire the painting on the ceiling while having breakfast in the Sala di Tiepolo. Murano chandeliers and beautiful terrazzo floors only add to the opulence.

My favourite room is the Library Suite from 1720, with white and green bookshelves that once housed more than 10,000 books.

This 52-room palazzo has been famed since 1853 for its 100-window façade overlooking the San Marco Basin. The interior design in this Relais & Chateaux hotel is by Venetian studio Ruberti Cutillo, which created exclusive textiles to make this one of the top luxury hotels in Venice.

Stunning design extends to the restaurant, where you’ll find a hand-made glass mosaic on the wall featuring fan-shaped tiles in a beautiful gold ombré pattern. My favourite room is the Suite Jules Vernes, with a purple and white colour palette and a lagoon view on the fifth floor, named after the French writer who stayed there in 1884.

Suites include lots of nice freebies such as champagne, a minibar and sweet treats, plus a free water taxi transfer – the best way to arrive in Venice.

Right on the Grand Canal but in the quieter Dorsoduro area, Hotel Palazzo Stern is one of the best hotels in Venice. The 4-star property is set near Accademia gallery and – my favourite – the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the former home of the prominent American collector, Solomon R. Guggenheim. Today, you’ll find temporary exhibitions and incredible paintings by Dali, Picasso, Magritte, Pollock and many more.

The 24 rooms and suites feature typical Venetian décor: think silk wallpaper, dark wooden floors, exposed beams and Murano glass chandeliers. For canal views, book a superior room or suite. There’s nothing better than relaxing with a drink in the hot tub on the lovely roof terrace overlooking the Grand Canal.

And for a taste of authentic Venice, head to the squares of Campo San Barnaba and Campo Santa Margherita near the hotel, which are full of cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as real Venetians.