Orient Express Venezia
A 15th-Century Palazzo, Reawakened
*****
- Heinz Beck Venezia — fine dining restaurant (3 Michelin stars)
- La Casati — all-day dining with garden and courtyard
- The Wagon Bar — cocktails and Venetian cicchetti
- Spa with Roman, Venetian, and Ottoman-inspired treatments
- Private ballroom with original frescoes
- Private courtyard and garden for events
- Meet & Greet arrival service
- Room service
- Valet and luggage service
A New Chapter for One of Venice's Most Noble Addresses
Some buildings carry their history visibly — in the proportions of their rooms, in the weight of their stone, in the frescoes that have survived centuries of Venetian light. Orient Express Venezia, housed within the Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in the Cannaregio sestiere, is one of those buildings. Originally constructed in the 15th century, the palazzo passed through the hands of the Duke of Urbino and the noble Donà and Giovannelli families before being transformed in the 1800s by architect Gian Battista Meduna — the same architect responsible for the restoration of La Fenice opera house — who layered the building with Neo-Gothic and Baroque magnificence. It later served as a Pinacoteca, a gallery of paintings. For most of the 20th century, it quietly held its breath.
Then came eight years of meticulous renovation under the creative direction of architect Aline Asmar d'Amman, one of the most acclaimed designers working in luxury hospitality today. Her brief was precise: honor the palazzo's aristocratic past while giving it a completely new life as a luxury hotel in Venice. The result, which opened in 2025, is the first hotel in Italy under the iconic Orient Express brand — a name synonymous with the romance of travel since the 19th century, now rooted in one of Venice's most extraordinary private residences.
The Palazzo Donà Giovannelli sits in the Cannaregio district, a ten-minute walk from the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, in a part of Venice that remains genuinely residential — a neighborhood of Venetians going about their lives, far from the most trafficked tourist corridors. From the outside, the palazzo's restored façade gives little away. Inside, a private courtyard, hidden gardens, and terraces open up like a city within a city. This is a Venice luxury hotel that reveals itself slowly, as the city itself does.
Rooms and Suites — Art, Craft, and the Heritage of the Grand Voyage
Orient Express Venezia offers 47 rooms and suites in total — a deliberately intimate number for a palazzo of this scale. The design throughout is the work of Aline Asmar d'Amman, who approached each space as a distinct chapter in the hotel's larger narrative: the romance of travel, the heritage of the Orient Express, and the visual richness of Venice itself. Venetian sliding doors frame hand-painted scenes, Art Deco fixtures echo the golden age of the original Orient Express train, and Murano glass accents cast the kind of warm, reflective glow that only Venice seems to produce. Every detail speaks of craftsmanship — and every room is singular.
Superior and Deluxe Rooms
The Superior Rooms average 30 m² — compact in the Venetian tradition, but refined in every detail. Venetian refinement and sleek contemporary design sit in careful balance: the kind of room that rewards close attention, where the quality of materials and the precision of the décor become apparent with time. The Deluxe Rooms at 38 m² offer a greater sense of space — the intimacy of a Venetian salon, enlarged. Many look onto the palazzo's internal courtyard or the quiet canals of Cannaregio. Both categories are for travelers who understand that a great small room is more satisfying than a mediocre large one.
Junior Suites and Suites
The Junior Suites at 45 m² introduce the hotel's more expressive design register: hand-painted panoramas of distant voyages intertwine with Ca' d'Oro–inspired wood fretwork — a nod to the Gothic tracery of the famous palazzo just minutes from the hotel. These are intimate sanctuaries for the well-traveled guest who wants more than comfort: they want atmosphere. The Suites, averaging 59 m², marry generous proportions with enchanting views — over Venetian rooftops, canals, or the palazzo's private garden. Vaulted sculptural ceilings, rare patinas, and frescoed figures looking down from another century give these rooms a presence that no contemporary hotel can manufacture.
The Six Signature Suites
At the apex of the hotel's accommodation are the six Signature Suites — each up to 145 m², and each telling a different story. The Orient Express Suite is the hotel's most iconic space: a tribute to the legendary train's golden age, with all the glamour and precision that implies. The Colori Persi Suite takes its name from the "lost colors" of Venetian painting — its palette drawn from pigments that time has softened. The Del Conte Suite references the noble history of the palazzo itself. The Teatro Suite evokes the grandeur of Venice's operatic tradition. The Cherubini Suite is animated by gilded dancing cherubs in 19th-century frescoes. And La Minerva Suite reveals perhaps the palazzo's greatest hidden treasure: extraordinary frescoes dedicated to the goddess Minerva, with mythological flying figures that have waited centuries to be seen again. Each suite features tall windows opening onto Venetian canal views, monumental marble fireplaces, and interiors that place artistic heritage in conversation with contemporary luxury.
Dining — Heinz Beck Venezia and the Art of the Venetian Table
Heinz Beck Venezia — Fine Dining Restaurant
The culinary direction of Orient Express Venezia is in the hands of Chef Heinz Beck — holder of three Michelin stars and one of the most celebrated names in contemporary Italian haute cuisine. Beck's approach is rooted in a deep understanding of Italian regional tradition combined with an innovative, technically precise style that has earned him a global reputation. At Heinz Beck Venezia, the restaurant takes the flavors and ingredients of the Veneto and the Adriatic as its starting point, then elevates them with the kind of creative rigor that defines Beck's cooking. The setting matches the ambition: a dining room within the palazzo's noble interiors, with views onto the private garden. This is fine dining in Venice at the highest level — a destination in its own right, not simply the hotel's restaurant.
La Casati — All-Day Dining
La Casati is the hotel's more relaxed all-day dining space — named after the legendary Marchesa Casati, one of the most extravagant figures of the early 20th century and a constant presence in Venice during its Belle Époque. The space opens onto the palazzo's secret garden and courtyard, extending the experience outdoors in warmer months. The menu has a contemporary character — lighter, more spontaneous than the fine dining restaurant, but no less carefully considered. A place for a long breakfast before a morning in the museums, or a leisurely lunch between a canal walk and an afternoon on the water.
The Wagon Bar
The Wagon Bar is Orient Express Venezia's tribute to the original bar car of the legendary train — reinterpreted for Venice with a sense of playful sophistication. Signature cocktails sit alongside authentic Venetian cicchetti — the small, precise bites that are the city's greatest contribution to convivial drinking culture. Open throughout the day and into the evening, the Wagon Bar captures the spirit of the grand voyage: a place where conversation flows as naturally as the Negroni.
The Spa — Ancient Rituals, Venetian Setting
The Spa at Orient Express Venezia draws its philosophy from Venice's centuries-long role as the crossroads between Europe and the Ottoman East — a trading city that absorbed the bathing rituals, the beauty practices, and the wellness traditions of every civilization it touched. The spa takes inspiration from three distinct traditions: Roman thermal heritage, the maritime culture of the Venetian Republic, and the enveloping rituals of the Ottoman hammam. These are not decorative references — they shape the actual treatments on offer.
The signature experiences include Razul ceremonial purification, inspired by ancient trade route traditions, and Furtuna Skin transformative beauty treatments — both designed to take guests through a complete journey of physical and sensory restoration. For those who prefer complete privacy, a curated selection of in-room spa treatments brings the experience directly to the guest's suite. The spa opened in July 2026 and is positioned immediately as one of the most distinctive wellness offerings in Venice — a city not previously known for spa culture, but one whose history makes it a natural fit for an approach this considered.
Events and Celebrations — The Palazzo as a Private Stage
Orient Express Venezia offers one of the most extraordinary private event settings in Italy. The palazzo's historic rooms — including the grand ballroom with its original frescoes and ornate stuccos — can be configured for private dinners, receptions, product launches, and intimate celebrations. The courtyard and garden add outdoor options that are genuinely rare in Venice, where private exterior space is among the city's most precious commodities.
For weddings, the combination of the palazzo's architecture, the Heinz Beck culinary team, and the Orient Express name creates an event that is, simply, unlike anything else available in Italy. For corporate clients, the setting provides the kind of backdrop that makes an impression before the first word is spoken. Venice Welcome works with Orient Express Venezia to coordinate private experiences within the hotel — from bespoke dinners in the garden to private guided tours of the palazzo's historic rooms — as part of a broader Venice stay.
What to Visit Nearby
The Jewish Ghetto and Cannaregio
Orient Express Venezia sits in Cannaregio — one of Venice's six sestieri and the one that remains most authentically residential. The hotel is walking distance from the Jewish Ghetto, the oldest in the world, established in 1516 and still a living neighborhood with synagogues, museums, and a history of extraordinary depth. The ghetto's campo in the early morning is one of the quietest, most atmospheric places in Venice. Venice Welcome offers a private Hidden Venice walking tour through Cannaregio and the Ghetto — one of our most distinctive experiences, and especially suited to guests staying in this part of the city.
The Rialto Bridge and Market
Ten minutes on foot from the hotel, the Rialto Bridge and its famous market sit at the commercial heart of historic Venice. The fish and produce market has operated here since the 12th century — and the morning hours, before the crowds arrive, are when it is at its most Venetian. Our private Bacaro tours begin in this neighborhood, exploring the wine bars and cicchetti counters tucked into the calli behind the market.
Piazza San Marco and the Basilica
A 15-minute walk along the canals — or a short private boat ride — brings guests to Piazza San Marco and the Basilica. The distance from the hotel is, in this case, an advantage: guests return to a part of Venice that belongs to Venetians, not to the day-trip economy. Venice Welcome arranges private skip-the-line tours of the Basilica and the Doge's Palace, allowing guests to experience these extraordinary buildings at their own pace, with expert guidance.
Ca' d'Oro and the Grand Canal
The Ca' d'Oro — the most beautiful Gothic palazzo on the Grand Canal — is a short walk from the hotel, and its interior houses a remarkable collection of Venetian art. The Grand Canal itself is best experienced by private boat: Venice Welcome arranges private Grand Canal tours departing from the nearest water landing, giving guests the palazzo perspectives that only the water can provide.
Murano, Burano, and the Venetian Lagoon
The islands of the Venetian lagoon are among the most rewarding experiences the city offers — and among the most frequently done badly. Murano, Burano, and Torcello deserve a full day and a private boat, not a crowded vaporetto tour. Venice Welcome organizes private motorboat excursions to all three islands — with a live glassblowing demonstration on Murano, time to explore Burano's painted houses at leisure, and a visit to Torcello's ancient cathedral, one of the oldest and most moving buildings in the lagoon.
Plan Your Stay — Contact Venice Welcome
Orient Express Venezia is one of the most significant new luxury hotel openings in Venice in a generation — a palazzo with 600 years of history, a chef with three Michelin stars, and a brand name that has meant something about travel since before most of the world's great hotels were built.
Venice Welcome specializes in tourism, with deep roots in this city. When you plan your stay in Venice with us, you benefit from this expertise at every stage: arrival via private water taxi, accommodation in a property we know personally, guided experiences led by our expert local team, and a departure coordinated down to the last detail.
