Experience the unique city of Venice in one of the city’s newest hotels, The St. Regis Venice. The ancient metropolis consists of 121 islands linked together by 435 bridges. Tourists and locals roam the narrow cobblestone streets on foot and maneuver the lagoon straits by water taxi or gondola. The St. Regis Venice, which opened in 2019 and debuted a new look in 2022, sits at the center of it all.
Here’s what you can look forward to once you book your stay at the art-filled haven of luxury.
The Location
Find the stunning Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel along the Grand Canal — it’s the largest waterfront property in Venice. Nestled in the heart of the bustling San Marco neighborhood, the well-situated hotel is a 30-second walk from high-end Italian designer shops like Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana and a two-minute stroll to the famed San Marco Square, home of the Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale.
Nothing beats your initial arrival at the property — a water taxi whisks you from the airport to the hotel. The miraculous vistas of the five-palazzo resort and the Basilica Santa Maria make for a breathtaking start to any trip.
Once in the hotel, you’ll enter the city through the pedestrian entrance, a secluded and quiet plaza with winding walkways leading to the busy city beyond.
The Service
The St. Regis brand is known for its superb service, and the Venice location’s team shines. From the moment you arrive to the second you (sadly) leave, the staff dotes on you and caters to your every whim.
Dying to get a reservation at Osteria alle Testiere? Speak with Marco at the butler station. He’ll book you a table at the stellar seafood spot and make arrangements for your other meals at equally delicious eateries around town. Interested in learning about the chandelier that hangs from the sitting room? Ask Rafa, the manager, and he’ll explain that the hotel specifically commissioned the piece, White Chandelier, from famed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Feeling sick from a combination of too many spritzes and jet lag? Call the room service desk, and someone will deliver a bottle of Gatorade to your room in minutes. Wondering what it’s like to grow up in Venice and what happens when the high tides come? Chat with Enrico, a local with anecdotes and insight, at the bar.
Spend just one night here and you’ll quickly see the deep care and profound pride taken by the friendly and accommodating staff.
The Rooms and Decor
Come during the off-season and without cars or bikes crowding the streets, you’ll notice how quiet and peaceful the city sounds. You can hear the lapping waters of the blue lagoon softly from the pristine rooms. The 169-room hotel boasts 14 terrace suites that overlook the Adriatic Sea, each with sumptuous contemporary décor that alludes to the rich history of Venice. Concrete ceilings are high and scalloped in the style of beloved Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa. The color palette in the rooms mimics the hues of the city — pale pinks, light blues and moody grays, with accents of sunset lavender and seafoam green. Textures — velvet, brocade, wood, glass, marble — abound to create a feast for the eyes. The bathrooms have heated floors, multiple shower heads and, of course, a bidet.
The St. Regis’ public spaces — the library and hallways connecting the lobby to the restaurant, patio, and bars — all feature graphic marble floors, comfortable seating areas and eye-catching artwork. The fashionable, fresh aesthetic invites relaxation, making it easy to feel at home in the opulent property.
The Bars
The St. Regis Venice has two bars: Arts Bar, which overlooks the water, and the classic St. Regis Bar, found at the entrance to the lovely restaurant Gio’s. Pull up a stool at either place — you’re in for a treat.
At St. Regis Bar, order a spritz made with Select, Venice’s original aperitif, which is slightly more bitter than its standard counterpart, Aperol. In Italy, cocktails almost always come with some food. The St. Regis serves cicchetti, or snacks like little toasts topped with burrata and fresh tomatoes, smoked salmon and avocado, or bresaola, a light cured beef.
At Arts Bar, indulge in a drink inspired by famous artwork, like Tintoretto’s The Miracle of the Slave or Banksy’s Canal Art. Each cocktail mirrors aspects of the painting; for example, a red bubbling foam looks like the red smoke in the Banksy piece. The well-balanced, creative drinks delight and offer a fun new way to experience well-known works of art.
The Art
“Cultivating the vanguard” serves as the hotel’s motto, illustrated by its unique relationship with Berengo Studio. Founded in 1989 by Adriano Berengo on the nearby island of Murano, the studio proves that glasswork can transcend craft and enter the world of fine art. Berengo and his team of expert glassmakers partner with internationally acclaimed artists such as Hitoshi Kuriyama, Thomas Schütte and Olafur Eliasson, to create unique art pieces made of glass.
St. Regis commissioned a first-of-its-kind work, Ai’s White Chandelier, to hang in its grand salon. The ball of light made of twisted glass vines is a marvel that impresses not only guests but art fans everywhere. One-of-a-kind glassworks made by Berengo fill the rest of the hotel, from the glasses used in the art-inspired cocktails to the busts that dot the long hallway leading to the lobby. If you want to see more, the hotel can set up a visit to Berengo Studio.
The St. Regis Venice also uses china from famed Italian makers Ginori 1735 and has a partnership with Edition Artco, headed by Dr. Gisela Winkelhofer. The German curator outfits the public spaces with rotating works by various contemporary artists.
