Best Boutique Hotels in Venice

The 42 luxurious rooms of Ca’Sagredo were designed in aristocratic Venetian style. This restored pink palazzo on the Grand Canal has maintained its original grandeur, including salons filled with frescoes and sweeping staircases. Huge rooms have plush furnishings and marble bathrooms; the terrace along the canal is a scenic place for a drink. This is one of the most decadent hotel experiences in Venice, and it's right on the Grand Canal, within walking distance of St. Mark's Square.

A seven-room residence on the Grand Canal, Al Ponte Antico Hotel is an elegant restored palazzo with a lovely shaded terrace overlooking the Rialto Bridge. Located on a quiet street in the heart of Venice (and just an eight-minute walk to St. Mark's Square), this hotel has huge rooms with flat-screen TVs, gilded-edge headboards, and traditional decor (wallpaper, upholstery, and bedspreads are all patterned). Guests get plenty of personal attention at this intimate, family-managed property, and the free breakfast includes homemade pastries, crepes, eggs, fruit, and cold cuts.

A 10-room boutique in one of Venice’s most elegant neighborhoods, Corte Di Gabriela is a chic residence that blends modern polish with historical touches. Located in San Marco an easy walk from the city’s top attractions, this quiet hotel has a pretty internal courtyard and lovely breakfast room with big buffet. No two stylish rooms are the same; some have frescoes on the ceiling while others have canal views -- all have big, modern bathrooms, iPads, and free Wi-Fi. 

The Oltre il Giardino is an upscale boutique hotel with only six rooms built to feel like a home. All of the comfortable rooms blend classic and modern touches and overlook a serene garden, which is a rare find in Venice. The hotel is down an alley and on a side canal in an area that is off the beaten path and away from the noise of the city -- but still within walking distance of the Rialto Bridge. The hotel books up quickly due to its small size, and guests looking for an intimate experience may also want to consider the seven-room Al Ponte Antico Hotel, which has a slightly more convenient location, as well as views of the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge.

The boutique Hotel Palazzo Stern is housed in a restored historic building on the Grand Canal, with sections dating back to the 15th century. The room decor is in a traditional Venetian style, with crystal chandeliers and luxurious curtains, but it's not overly stuffy. Amenities include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, and beautifully updatedbathrooms come complete with towel warmers. But the hotel has few features; there is a small bar and a Jacuzzi on the rooftop terrace, but no spa, gym, pool, or full restaurant. Nonetheless, Hotel Palazzo Stern is one of the most popular luxury hotels in Venice, even if its Dorsoduro location is a bit removed from the main tourist action around St. Mark's Square.

Hotel Moresco is a 23-room boutique on a small canal near Venice’s bus terminal. The tranquil bar with library and fireplace provides a welcoming setting where guests can relax with a drink and snack upon check-in. Spacious, bright rooms have fun names -- such as The Scribe and The Gondolier -- and include mosaics in bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and big antique mirrors. But the hotel's location is somewhat removed from tourist attractions

Locanda Orseolo is a 12-room guesthouse located in the heart of Venice, a short walk from Piazza San Marco. Traditional, elegant rooms have theatrical wall murals, glass chandeliers, and small flat-screen TVs. This restored Venetian home has charming, original elements such as exposed beam ceilings. A quality free breakfast is served in a room overlooking a small canal, but there is no elevator and canal-facing rooms can experience some early morning noise. Rates are among the most competitive in the area for what you get.

A 10-room boutique on a small canal, Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo is an intimate, quiet pick in the Santa Croce neighborhood of Venice. Located near a Vaporetto stop and a 10-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge, this hotel has pretty historic details such as wood beam ceilings. Rooms have Murano glass chandeliers, small flat-screen TVs, and gilded mirrors. Both Wi-Fi and breakfast are free, but the traditional decor might not suit all tastes. All in all, it's a terrific value.

The Cà Maria Adele is an upscale, 12-room boutique hotel set in the quiet and secluded art quarter in the south of Venice -- though with easy boat access to the rest of the island. Interiors throughout are beautifully and lavishly finished with dark wood, black pony skin sofas, flock wallpaper, and Murano chandeliers. The individually styled 'Concept' rooms are particularly stunning, and some have views of the canal. Free daily breakfast includes a glass of Prosecco, and guests can order evening drinks to enjoy anywhere in the hotel, including the Moroccan-style terrace. The intimate ambience of this tiny hotel might not appeal to all, especially those who have mobility issues, but for a peaceful romantic getaways, the typically steep rates could well be worth every penny.

This luxurious 22-room boutique is housed in a centuries-old palace located along the Grand Canal, near the main train station in Venice. Decadent rooms have modern amenities including flat-screen TVs and comfortable beds, but the use of rich patterns in gold and blues, the classic artwork on the walls, and the Rococo-style furniture might be a bit too much to some. Rooms facing the canal have better views (though some have small windows), but those overlooking the lovely square are quieter. Though location is convenient for those arriving to Venice by train, the hotel is a 25-minute walk from Piazza San Marco, and it lacks a full restaurant.

A 32-room boutique in a restored 17th century palazzo, Hotel Ai Reali is located in the heart of Venice halfway between the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco. Rooms are big and elegant with gilded, carved headboards, original hardwood floors, and big marble bathrooms. An inviting restaurant and bar both have canal views; a top floor spa offers the rare features of a pool, whirlpool, and sauna. It's one of the best upscale picks in Venice.

The Hotel Le Isole is a mid-range, 13-room property set in a quiet, canal-lined street just minutes' walk from St. Mark's Square. The location is superb for exploring most of Venice's tourist attractions, though the hotel can be hard to find amongst the surrounding maze of streets. Rooms are nicely finished, and refreshingly light on the usual classical Venetian kitsch, though some Economy Rooms are tiny and street-facing options can get noisy. Breakfast is free, made to order, and can be taken on the lovely terrace. In-room minibar beverages are included in the rate and restocked daily. Rates are certainly high for this category of hotel, but the location is hard to beat and the extras are attractive.