Orient Express Venezia, Venice

In short… Right in the heart of charming Cannareggio, the new Orient Express Venezia occupies an immaculately restored 15th-century palazzo, with enchantment hiding behind every corner—embodying the true meaning of La Serenissima.

The surroundings… Arriving into Venezia Santa Lucia (the city’s central station), I was whisked outside by a hotel representative and directed canalside to an elegant water taxi. After a 15-minute ride through winding canals, passing historic palazzi, elegant commuters and the touristy but charming gondoliere, we pulled up to the pale pink facade of Orient Express Venezia. The property is in the northeastern neighborhood of Cannareggio, once the city’s prominent merchant hub and home to many Renaissance artists. The dual frontage is a rare asset: the street side opens onto Strada Nuova, a busy thoroughfare lined with shops—you likely won’t want to spend much time on it, but it’s a well-connected artery for exploring the city on foot—while the lagoon side offers seclusion and easy access to Cannaregio’s quieter streets, as well as a Vaporetto stop. Unlike many of Venice’s larger luxury properties, you’re not right on the busy Grand Canal, which is honestly a plus. And as the only true 5-star palace property in the area, it feels unique. 

The backstory… Located in Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, the Orient Express Venezia opened last week after 8 years of intense and immaculate restoration. The palazzo has a rich history: originally built with rumored connections to the architect of the iconic Doge’s Palace, it passed through the hands of various noble families during its heyday, before being restored in the mid-19th century by famed architect and restoration expert, Giovannie Battista Meduna. After years of abandonment, Orient Express took it over and for the restoration hired Lebanese architect Aline Asmar d’Amman, also known for her work at the Hotel de Crillon and Le Jules Verne atop the Eiffel Tower. I had the chance to meet Aline during my visit and she was so inspiring and full of passion for the property and the palazzo. While the entire hotel is incredible, with light-filled common areas and an innate attention to detail throughout, her chef d’œuvre lies in the 6 speciality suites on the piano nobile of the palazzo. 

The vibe… The property feels more like a traditional palazzo than a hotel. A small reception area and lobby seating area are appointed with elegantly effortless furnishings, coffee table books, and scattered plants, as guests are invited to lounge freely in this space, taking a morning cappuccino and an afternoon spritz in between hours exploring the city. There’s a leafy, shaded inner courtyard just off of the lobby, and a large garden patio at the back of the lobby where you can also sit for a meal or aperitivo, and is lovely when the sun is shining. Inside an enclave just before the lobby, a grand spiral staircase leads up to the piano nobile (more on that below), with intricate stonework and light pouring in from the skylight. A lovely contrast exists throughout between antiquity and modernity, especially within the common spaces—not unlike Venice itself.

The rooms… The palazzo has only 47 keys, 6 of which belong to the collection of “Signature Suites” located on the noble floor of the palazzo. While most guests are unlikely to book these (very pricey) suites, they’re emblematic of the care and intentionality brought to the intricate restoration of the palazzo and the hotel. I was lucky enough to get a tour of these rooms by Aline herself, who detailed the process of transforming them over the past 8 years. Each suite tells a different story in its design and artwork; Aline recalled coming in from Paris each week during the renovation, only to be surprised by a new fresco that had been excavated beneath years of stucco. As a former art history major (and someone who has seen her fair share of high-end hotel rooms), I found them truly awe-inspiring: each room with soaring ceilings of Renaissance frescoes to gold-leafing to intricately carved and painted wooden beams.

I imagine it feels like staying in a museum with the modern luxuries of a five-star hotel. TVs are expertly hidden in mirrors, charging ports and outlets are nowhere to be seen, and the bathrooms are constructed in genius “water closets” (which Aline called “salons de bain”)—essentially standalone boxes in the room to preserve the integrity of the ceiling fresco. The closets are modeled on vintage travel trunks, and if you look closely enough, nothing is actually touching the walls in an effort to preserve the art. My favorite room was truly fit for a princess, complete with a Marie Antoinette-esque hidden bathroom disguised into the moiré ribbon wall. The beds are huge and adorned with beautiful draped canopies, and all of the cushions and chairs are made with beautiful Fortuny fabric. 

As for the 47 other rooms: I stayed in a superior room on the 4th (penultimate) floor, with a great view over Cannareggio—and on a clear day, of the Dolomites. It was sleek and modern, with touches reminiscent of the palazzo’s history—exposed wood beams, beautiful marble floors, carpets that mimic the palazzo’s frescoes, as well as classic Orient Express motifs—scattered velvet touches, standalone marble sinks, a leather-clad coffee machine, an incredibly plush robe and perfect bedsheets. The room had beautiful light and was very comfortable. I woke up to church bells and fell asleep to the sounds of water taxis rushing through the canals—pretty much perfect!

The food & drink… The property has three restaurants: Heinz Beck, a fine-dining option run by a Michelin-starred chef, La Casati; their more casual all-day dining restaurant, and The Wagon Bar, Art Deco-inspired and ideal for aperitivo and cichetti alla Veneziana. I didn’t have a chance to eat there as our visit coincided with the hotel’s opening party and meals were organized around special events, but the spaces are cozy with beautiful marble terrazzo. 

The wellness… While the spa wasn’t yet open, I’m sure it will be incredible, especially thanks to its partnership with Yolo favorite Furtuna Skin. The sumptuous toiletries in the room are by Guerlain. And there’s no better workout than a brisk walk around the city, up and down canal bridges while trying to speed through crowds of tourists!

Is it kid-friendly? Yes—and Cannareggio is a great area for kids, walking distance to most major sights with ample room for running around right on your doorstep. 

Parting words… Perfect for those looking for a true luxury experience without the hustle and bustle of being right on the Grand Canal, and the opportunity to be totally immersed in restored architectural splendor of a different era. 

Date of stay… March 30th-April 1st, 2026