T+L’s Hotel Review of The St. Regis Venice

The St. Regis Venice, named among the best hotels in Venice in Travel + Leisure‘s 2025 World’s Best Awards, originally opened as the Grand Hotel Britannia in 1895, in concert with the city’s inaugural Biennale cultural festival. In 2019, following a two-year renovation and restoration of the five 17th-century Venetian palaces that comprise the property, it joined the St. Regis brand.

The St. Regis Venice takes its cues from the city’s deep and passionate relationship with the arts. As my family and I arrived at the hotel’s private dock on the Grand Canal for a three-night stay in mid-August, we were ushered into the elegant Gran Salone. The space had recently welcomed “Four Icons,” a series of four portraits hammer-edged into glass by Swiss artist Simon Berger: St. Regis founder Caroline Astor; impressionist Claude Monet, who famously painted in the hotel when it was the Britannia; Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa, whose architecture is honored in the public spaces; and patron Marchesa Luisa Casati. Hanging from the ceiling was a towering white chandelier, fashioned in Murano glass in collaboration with Adriano Berengo’s Berengo Studio by Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei.

But these artworks merely scratch the surface of the hotel’s extensive collection—and its interest in—Venetian and international art.

“Art is woven into the very soul of The St. Regis Venice,” says Audrey Huttert, the hotel’s general manager. “From our palatial setting on the Grand Canal to landmark commissions such as Ai Weiwei’s “White Chandelier” and Simon Berger’s “The Four Icons,” we see our role not only as custodians of history, but as active contributors to Venice’s vibrant cultural dialogue. Each work in our collection affirms our belief that art is essential to how guests experience and remember this place.”

It would be near criminal, though, to ignore the many other luxuries offered by The St. Regis, including gourmet dining and front-row views of the Grand Canal.

Below, my full review of The St. Regis Venice.

The Rooms

The hotel has 163 guest rooms. Our two connecting 861-square-foot Monet Suites included two full bathrooms, two powder rooms, two separate living rooms with Juliet balconies overlooking the Grand Canal, large closets (one of which was a walk-in), and two king bedrooms. Bathrooms offered freestanding tubs, marble-topped double sinks, and glass-enclosed showers. The timeless decor featured hardwood herringbone floors and muted color tones, along with a series of original contemporary paintings by resident Parisian artist Olivier Masmonteil. Each suite can accommodate up to three guests, with the option to add a rollaway bed.

There are 15 additional room categories available, ranging from the entry-level Deluxe Room, a 301 to 344-square-foot space that sleeps up to two guests, to the top-tier Presidential Suite, a 1,614-square-foot two-bedroom retreat that features step-out balconies, a kitchenette, ensuite bathrooms outfitted in Covelano Tiger and Lasa VenaOro marbles, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Our guest rooms and suites are designed as living reflections of Venice itself,” Huttert says. “The decor draws inspiration from the ever-changing light on the lagoon, the palettes of Venetian art, and the modern spirit of Italian design. Every detail—from the textures and tones to the views that frame the Grand Canal—is meant to immerse our guests in the city’s timeless yet ever-evolving beauty.”

The St. Regis Butler Service, one of the hotel’s signature offerings, is inclusive in all room categories. Butlers can draw shades, deliver coffee, tea, and the newspaper, and even press up to two garments per person.

Food and Drink

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served at Gio’s restaurant, named for San Giorgio Island, just across the Grand Canal. Each morning, my family and I enjoyed the restaurant’s buffet of fresh cheeses, pastries, meats, and local fruits. The à la carte menu features dishes such as a beautiful bruschetta topped with tomatoes, avocado mousse, and a poached egg.

Executive chef Giuseppe Ricci, who hails from Puglia, adds the spirit of southern Italy to the lunch and dinner menus. One evening, I ordered ruby-red raw tuna with black olives and tomatoes, followed by paccheri—a tube-shaped type of pasta favored along the southern coast—with blue lobster, anise, and Venice’s spicy busara sauce.

For a midday snack, guests can also dine on the waterfront Ginori Terrace. We indulged in the Venice Tea Ritual, served at Gio’s, which featured tea, scones, tea sandwiches, and sweets, served in elegant Oriente Italiano by Ginori 1735 porcelain. In addition to tea, guests can upgrade the experience with a Champagne pairing.

Speaking of Champagne, the hotel honors the signature St. Regis tradition by sabering a bottle for guests in the Gran Salone at 5 p.m. each afternoon. The ritual marks the transition from day to evening, and each guest in attendance gets a taste (children enjoy a non-alcoholic sipper, too).

The intimate St. Regis Bar, set between the Ginori Terrace and Gio’s, is a place for gathering and drinks. However, the true highlight of the hotel’s beverage program is The Arts Bar, where cocktails celebrate famous pieces of art, including some on display within the hotel. Glassware is handcrafted at Berengo Studio on Murano Island, and each drink comes with a card depicting the original artwork it is based on.

Activities and Amenities

The hotel can arrange a range of immersive cultural experiences that go deeper than the traditional Venetian tours. During our stay, we were offered a trip to Murano Island with the hotel’s partner Berengo Studio, a collaborative space open since 1989, where contemporary artists work with glass artisans. There, we watched glassmakers craft art pieces and visited a glass museum.

The St. Regis also offers a Riva yachting tour that take guests out on the lagoon. Art enthusiasts can also sign up for the Claude Monet’s Venice experience, following in the footsteps of the famed French impressionist, who visited the city in 1908.

The Spa

At Valmont Spa, guests can indulge in a range of massages, body scrubs, facials, and wellness rituals. The hotel also maintains a 24-hour gym, equipped with exercise bikes, free weights, strength equipment, treadmills, and weight machines.

Family-friendly Offerings

The hotel doesn’t have a kids’ club, but its restaurant offers a children’s menu, with options such as fish and chips, spaghetti al pomodoro, and seasonal gelato. Families and multigenerational groups can also book connecting rooms and suites.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Eight of the hotel’s guest rooms are accessible for guests with mobility issues. These rooms lack stairs and steps and are equipped with features such as shower handles and walk-in showers.

The hotel recently received Green Key certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education. The St. Regis Venice also participated in cleanup efforts through the city’s Plastic Free and Retake associations.

The hotel does not have single-use plastics and features full LED lighting and electrical boat charging. The hotel’s Green Committee, comprising department heads and a representative from each operational division, meets monthly to review, realign, and benchmark sustainable practices. The restaurants favor seasonal, locally sourced products. Surplus food is offered to staff or donated to the Community of St. Egidio, which supports impoverished communities.

Location

Getting to the hotel requires a 40-minute transfer by water taxi from Venice Marco Polo International Airport (VCE). Public water taxis are readily available at the airport; however, the hotel can also arrange a private transfer.

Book Now

The hotel is part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, allowing members to earn and redeem points for each stay, as well as enjoy additional perks, including discounted rates, welcome gifts, and room upgrades.

The St. Regis Venice is also available to book via American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, where cardmembers receive early check-in and late check-out (based on availability), a room upgrade, and $100 food and beverage credit. Chase cardmembers who book their stay through The Edit by Chase Travel platform receive daily breakfast for two, a $100 property credit, along with early check-in, late checkout, and a room upgrade, when available.

Nightly rates at The St. Regis Venice start from €833 (or $982).

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.