Take A Look Inside The New Orient Express Venezia

Venice is home to some of the most luxurious and star-studded hotels in the world – and this spring, it adds a new string to its bow with the arrival of Orient Express Venezia. Nestled between two interweaving canals, in Venice’s northernmost district of Cannaregio, the hotel marks an exciting new chapter in the city’s thriving hospitality scene. And while the location and the body behind the hotel are certainly enough to pique our curiosity, it’s the interior design of the new Orient Express Venezia that truly takes our breath away. Here’s everything you need to know about the new opening, plus a look inside its freshly redesigned rooms.

Take The Tour: Orient Express Venezia

(photo by Giulio Ghirardi)

Naturally for an Orient Express opening, opulence and history come in abundance at Orient Express Venezia. The building, known as Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, was built in 1436 – and counts a long list noblemen and condottieri as its owners. Though the architect is unknown, its initial design is often credited to Filippo Calendario, the celebrated designer of the nearby Doge’s Palace. (And if that wasn’t impressive enough, the palazzo was once home to an impressive collection of historical Italian art, including Giorgione’s The Tempest.)

In the 19th century, the building was renovated by Giovanni Battista Meduna, whose neogothic vision led to a series of architectural flourishes being added to the building, including the glorious octagonal staircase that still stands today. It remained behind closed doors until 1847, during the Ninth Congress of Italian Scientists, when the Palazzo reopened as a meeting point for aesthetes and academics and the rooms became spaces for debates and receptions.

(photo by Giulio Ghirardi)

Fast forward to today, and the Palazzo takes on a new life as the Orient Express Venezia. This is the second hotel opening for Orient Express, following the Orient Express La Minerva, in Rome – and quite possibly its grandest yet. The vaulted ceilings are ornate, gilded in gold and brilliant blues, and stone staircases spiral between each floor, framed by intricate wrought iron railings. Furnishings in similar dusky shades to the facades that can be seen outside the window occupy the rooms, nodding to the elegant aesthetic of Venice.

This handywork is a precise combination of historical revival and contemporary redesign, courtesy of interior designer Asmar d’Amman. Taking on the task of reviving all 47 rooms in the new hotel (plus its public spaces), d’Amman made sure a blend tradition and modern elegance was embedded in every corner. A quick glance around these grand suites reveals rooms now filled with restored murals, 19th century stone statues and magnificent marble fireplaces, truly immersing visitors in the history of The Floating City.

d’Amman was careful to honour the legacy of the palazzo in her design. ‘I imagined the transformation of Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli as a theatrical sequence of wonders,’ she explains, ‘a tribute to the whimsical mysteries of Venice and the spectacular marvels of the 15th architectural jewel, unearthed and restored.’ Craftsmanship is celebrated across the wider hotel. From the elaborately sculpted boiserie, to the embossed leathers and moiré silks that decorate the walls. The natural stone floors meet patinated walls, a combination that feels calm and organic – as well as naturally luxurious.

(photo by Giulio Ghirardi)

‘With the refurbishment of the iconic Palazzo Donà Giovannelli we continue our strategy of investing in unique heritage assets and unlocking their long-term value through thoughtful redevelopment. The new Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli represents a meaningful step in the development of a distinctive portfolio that brings together iconic locations and a contemporary approach to ultra-luxury,’ adds Paolo Barletta, CEO Arsenale Group, which owns the building. ‘The Palazzo embodies a unique dialogue between history and innovation, where centuries of Venetian culture are carefully reinterpreted through a modern lens. Venice remains one of the most strategic destinations in international travel, and this project, together with hotel Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and La Dolce Vita Orient Express trains, reflects our commitment to strengthening Italy’s position at the forefront of global luxury experiences, through long-term investment in assets of enduring cultural and economic value.’

In typical Venetian style, visitors to the hotel are bought to the vast water gates by boat. After gliding inside, they are quickly met with the vast lobby of Orient Express Venezia. Once an open mineral cortile, the space has since been transformed into a grand living room – embodying the glamour of a bygone era with sculpted boiserie, high ceilings and intricate Murano chandeliers.

(photo by Giulio Ghirardi)

And then there’s the Calle Meraviglia; connecting the lobby to the hotel’s garden, this intimate cultural salon hosts a rotating selection of contemporary works aligned with Venice’s cultural calendar. In other words, for guests, it’s their very own seasonal gallery.

At the heart of the hotel sits its coveted secret garden, where the tall stone walls keep out the buzz of boats and tourists. In here you’ll find a bubbling fountain, lush foliage and antique gates lit by delicate Venetian lanterns (perfect for some atmospheric lighting). Guests can quite easily luxuriate here in the sanctuary of silence.

Dining spaces are similarly considered by d’Amman and her team. While Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck is the architect behind the seasonal menus at Heinz Beck Venezia, La Casati and The Wagon Bar, it’s the interior designer who brings the spaces to life with thoughtful concepts. Heinz Beck Venezia, an intimate gourmet concept, is situated in the hotel’s orangery for a multi-sensory experience, while all-day dining restaurant La Casati features its own small private garden for intimate and romantic moments. The Wagon Bar, meanwhile, pays homage to the legendary lounge cars of the original Orient Express trains, with an Art Deco-inspired bar (for a playful touch, some of the octagonal bar tables even feature enamelled chess boards).

(photo by Giulio Ghirardi)

‘With Orient Express Venezia, we open a new chapter in the legacy of our brand, one that celebrates Venice as a global capital of culture, beauty, and imagination,’ said Gilda Perez-Alvardo, the CEO of Orient Express. ‘Palazzo Donà Giovannelli has been revived with extraordinary craftsmanship and deep respect for its six centuries of history, becoming a place where the art of travel meets the soul of the city. This hotel embodies the essence of Orient Express: a constellation of rare experiences, each rooted in heritage yet reimagined for a new generation of discerning travellers.’

BOOK IT

For more information, and to book a room, please visit orient-express.com