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Orient Express Venezia has opened at the historic Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice, marking the brand’s first hotel in the city. The 47-room property transforms the 15th-century Venetian palace into an ultra-luxury hospitality destination, blending heritage architecture with contemporary design and culinary experiences.
Located in Venice’s Cannaregio district, the opening expands the Orient Express hospitality portfolio in Italy following the debut of Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and the launch of the La Dolce Vita Orient Express luxury train.
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Key Takeaways Orient Express Venezia
- Orient Express Venezia opens in the 15th-century Palazzo Donà Giovannelli
- 47 guestrooms, suites and residences overlooking canals and gardens
- Designed by architect Aline Asmar d’Amman
- Culinary programme led by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck
- Located in Venice’s historic Cannaregio district
Property Overview
Orient Express Venezia occupies Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, a historic Venetian palace restored and redesigned as a hotel for the first time in nearly six centuries.
The property features 47 guestrooms, suites and private residences, each reflecting the layered architectural history of the building. Restored murals, sculptural ceilings and canal or garden views form part of the guestroom design concept.
Six signature suites highlight the palace’s historical character, including the Orient Express Suite, Colori Persi Suite, Del Conte Suite, Teatro Suite, Cherubini Suite, and La Minerva Suite. The largest suites reach up to 145 square metres, featuring restored frescoes, marble fireplaces and original architectural elements.
Public spaces throughout the hotel combine heritage architecture with contemporary design interventions. The lobby, known as Il Corte del Conte, transforms a former open courtyard into a grand interior salon featuring Murano chandeliers and layered architectural details.
The property also includes a private garden concealed behind the palace walls. Known as Calle Meraviglia, the space connects the lobby to an outdoor courtyard and serves as a venue for rotating art installations aligned with Venice’s cultural calendar.
The Art of Dining at Orient Express Venezia
The culinary programme at Orient Express Venezia is led by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, whose signature cuisine anchors the hotel’s dining offerings.
Heinz Beck Venezia, located in the palace’s historic orangerie, serves a fine-dining tasting experience designed specifically for the property.
The hotel also includes La Casati, an all-day restaurant inspired by the avant-garde spirit of Italian aristocrat Marchesa Luisa Casati. The venue features garden seating and a menu influenced by Venetian culinary traditions.
For evening cocktails, the Wagon Bar draws inspiration from the historic lounge cars of the original Orient Express trains, combining Art Deco design with classic and contemporary mixology.
Quote from Management
Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express, said the opening represents an important milestone in the brand’s hospitality strategy.
She noted that Venice’s cultural heritage and global tourism appeal make it a natural destination for the brand’s expanding portfolio of luxury travel experiences.
Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale Group, the owner of Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, added that the redevelopment reflects the company’s strategy of investing in historic properties and repositioning them for modern hospitality use.
Bartolomeo Fusco, General Manager of Orient Express Venezia, said the property aims to offer guests an immersive Venetian experience that combines heritage architecture with contemporary luxury hospitality.
Location & Destination Context
Orient Express Venezia is located in the Cannaregio district, one of Venice’s quieter residential neighbourhoods, positioned away from the city’s busiest tourist zones.
The palace stands where two canals meet along the Rio di Noale, offering water access via a Gothic gate that allows guests to arrive directly by boat.
Cannaregio also provides convenient access to key Venetian landmarks while maintaining a more local atmosphere. From the hotel, visitors can explore traditional artisan workshops, historic churches and the nearby Jewish Ghetto, one of Venice’s oldest cultural districts.
The location reinforces Venice’s long-standing role as a gateway between East and West — a theme closely tied to the heritage of the Orient Express brand.
Brand Background
Orient Express is one of the most recognisable names in luxury travel, originally associated with the historic rail route linking Paris and Istanbul.
Today the brand is expanding into a broader portfolio of hospitality experiences, including hotels, trains and curated travel journeys.
Orient Express Venezia joins the recently opened Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, while the La Dolce Vita Orient Express train began operations in Italy in 2025.
Together, these projects form part of a wider strategy to develop a network of luxury travel experiences centred on heritage destinations and immersive cultural journeys.
Travel Tools for Frequent Travellers
For travellers planning similar luxury hotel stays or long-haul journeys, we have compiled a list of travel tools we recommend, including luggage, travel organisers and tech accessories frequently used on our trips.
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