Splendid Venice
Though it's part of the larger Starhotels group, the Splendid Venice offers a boutique-style experience for travelers in all categories. Its spot on the Strada Delle Mercerie means that shops, restaurants, and key attractions are easily within walking distance — or a short gondola ride if you choose to take advantage of the water entrance.
The property itself dates back to the 16th century when it was known as the Black Hat Inn. It sits within two connected townhouses with cozy, historic accents. The 165 rooms are decorated in a style that sits between sleek modernity and the stylized Venetian gilt in silver, brown, and lilac shades. Dine alongside carnival masks and bronze sculptures at Le Maschere restaurant, watch the canals through the picture windows of the Lounge Bar, or enjoy sweeping views from the rooftop terrace.
Hotel L'Orologio
The modern Hotel L'Orologio sits right on the Grand Canal, just steps from the Rialto Bridge. Its theme was inspired by collectible watches, as can be seen in the contemporary decor and gold-accented black and brown leather and wood color scheme. Even the art is created with watch parts.
Plush L'O Bar looks out onto the canal with the help of leather armchairs and a stone counter. Stop in for breakfast in the morning or drinks and snacks in the evening, which you can also opt to enjoy outdoors on the fourth-floor terrace.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Hotel Cà Zusto Venezia
Families will especially enjoy the colorful style of Hotel Cà Zusto. Once a 14th-century patrician palace, the property is now home to 22 rooms decorated in a bright, distinctive style with influences from Venice's past, including Byzantine traditions and designer touches.
Each room is named after a Turkish princess who may have stayed at the property at one point. Sizes range from singles to family suites for parties of any size. A stop in the lounge bar will help pick you up after a day of strolling the city
The Gritti Palace
Once home to nobility in the 16th century, The Gritti Palace has risen to become one of the most famous lodging options in Venice, if not the most famous. This is a large boutique option (some 82 rooms), but the service is attentive. The rooms here are Venetian Baroque featuring a decor heavy with Rubeli silks and damasks, terrazzo floors, oil paintings on the walls, marble bathrooms, and canal views. Its location in the San Marco neighborhood is ideally central, too, just a few hundred meters to Saint Mark's Square and a five-minute walk to the La Fenice Opera House.
Regarding cuisine, guests here can have breakfast in an opulent dining hall under crystal chandeliers and enjoy a romantic Venetian dinner at the hotel's Club del Doge restaurant. It's located right on the Grand Canal and features a menu of fresh ingredients sourced daily from the famous Rialto Market. The hotel even hosts a cooking class at the Gritti Epicurean School, where you can learn the secrets to preparing delectable Venetian cuisine.
Hotel Ai Reali Di Venezia
Once a palatial home for Venetian aristocrats, the Hotel Ai Reali Di Venezia has managed to preserve all that elegance within its refurbished 17th-century walls. Located on the canal, in the sweet spot between the Rialto Bridge and the Piazza San Marco, the hotel features many classes of rooms, but even the standard options feature smart and luxurious Venetian decor complete with marble bathrooms (some even have canal views). The hotel's restaurant, Alle Corone, is another selling point. Here you can dine in white-tablecloth style on seasonal menu items like burrata cheese and broccoli cream ravioli, rack of lamb, and crown of Iberian pork.
The Ai Reali stakes its claim as having the largest wellness spa in the city center, and the Reali Wellness Spa boasts a long list of massage, body care, facial, and wedding-ritual treatments. There's also a private boat dock on site, and the staff will even arrange for classic canal trips for you and a partner with a professional photographer on board. Not only is this probably the best four-star option on the list, but if you're in the market for a honeymoon hotel reservation, you could do much worse.
Hotel Moresco
The Hotel Moresco is a new four-star boutique hotel (built in 2012) with 23 rooms over three floors. Each is individually decorated with its own theme, but all feature warm colors, Venetian textiles, and modern conveniences like coffee makers and flat-screen TVs. The bathrooms are elegant, with glass mosaics on the walls, and utilize modern chromotherapy lighting.
As for the facilities, there's a lovely walled garden with a sun deck and leather armchairs. It's the perfect place to sip a happy hour cocktail and a great sunny spot to enjoy the ample buffet breakfast. The friendly staff is always at the ready with a welcome aperitif, handy map, booking assistance, or a local tip. The Moresco's eastern location isn't exactly central, but it is close to public transport options and is an easy walk to the Santa Lucia train station. Overall this hotel is good value for money, and the attentive service makes it a crowd favorite.